Getting off the airplane was very nice. Part of being on the airplane was nice because to no surprise John Rhodes was able to hook up a system upgrade which left me in business class. It made me want to make like a man I saw on tv once and "brush that dirt off [my] shoulder." (also see baller) The beef was a little sketchy, but the wine made up for it. Probably because I know a lot more about beef than I do wine. I am always confused when I first get in business class because I am baffled that they are offering me drinks before the plane has even left the gate, and that one of those drinks is champagne and I don't have to pay for it. I took the orange juice.
The surprise Pamela
(heretofore referred to as Emma) had for me in Seoul was really nice and educational because I had never stayed in a Buddhist monastery before. The monks treated me very well, made delicious food (thanks to 'cooking monk' (far right), and were great to talk to. The mosquito net did not work as well as I had hoped after the first night, but I think I tucked it under my blanket better the second night. I enjoyed the tour of the palace that Panya gave me (to my right), and I even rolled to a spa for a therapeutic morning with 'head monk' (far left) the next morning. So good.
(heretofore referred to as Emma) had for me in Seoul was really nice and educational because I had never stayed in a Buddhist monastery before. The monks treated me very well, made delicious food (thanks to 'cooking monk' (far right), and were great to talk to. The mosquito net did not work as well as I had hoped after the first night, but I think I tucked it under my blanket better the second night. I enjoyed the tour of the palace that Panya gave me (to my right), and I even rolled to a spa for a therapeutic morning with 'head monk' (far left) the next morning. So good. I quite enjoyed walkin
g around the city with the monks. I figured it was an interesting picture for the locals- the only white person around walking around with a monk. The conversations we had were beyond interesting, partly reminding me of my days when I contemplated monkhood. More than anything I noticed how youthful and peaceful the monks themselves were especially in contrast to the hardened faces of the laypeople of South Korea. It made me wonder if there is a way to retain at least a level of peace and introspection in our lives as laypeople. I hope so.
g around the city with the monks. I figured it was an interesting picture for the locals- the only white person around walking around with a monk. The conversations we had were beyond interesting, partly reminding me of my days when I contemplated monkhood. More than anything I noticed how youthful and peaceful the monks themselves were especially in contrast to the hardened faces of the laypeople of South Korea. It made me wonder if there is a way to retain at least a level of peace and introspection in our lives as laypeople. I hope so. I think I was a little disappointed to leave Seoul without seeing much of the city itself, but there are greener pastures ahead---
ps-I'm playing a bit of catch up as I was not able to set up this account before I left. We will be up to date soon. so, if it posts for august 4, pretend that it says july 30-2.
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