Ringing in the New Year

Even though it has been a short work week for me, it hasn't felt like it. On monday evening I spent an extra three hours at work correcting tests and filling out report cards. I suppose it has to be done, but next time I'll certainly make the tests a lot shorter for my sake. Most of my students didn't do too well on the tests either, but then I didn't design them. Some students at least tried, while others couldn't care less. Something unfortunately, I don't have any control over.

When I finished classes on wednesday, I was glad to get home and get ready for the New Year's Eve festivities. My plans were pretty open for the evening, so I gave my friends a call and we decided to meet up for some dinner. Tonight's menu was duck, something I had yet to try, but was open to the idea.

We walked the few blocks up from E-mart, where we met, to arrive at this cozy and very warm duck restaurant. After finding a table and taking a seat, we decided some soup would be nice. As Mike and I don't really speak much Korean, Brian was kind enough to order for us all.



While enjoying our soup and side dishes, we discussed several hilarious animal videos and short docs we had seen. After covering the basics and sharing a glass or two of bek-seju (a more natural kind of soju, with less alcohol and more taste), Brian suggested that we head over to Yakchun temple, the largest buddhist temple on the island and in all of Korea.

The weather wasn't the greatest, as it began snowing outside; something which has not happened in almost three weeks. We grabbed a cab together and made our way to Jungmun (a resort area on the southern part of the island).



The temple itself is absolutely beautiful, and since Brian had recently become friends with many of the monks there, we were welcomed at their New Year's service. Upon entering the temple, we made our way as quietly as possible to some seats in the back and began listening in on the monk's sermon.



Ten minutes or so later there was a break, wherein Brian introduced us to the monks and began going over the itinerary for the service. Mike and I wanted to see more of the temple, so Brian led us around and upstairs where we got a really good view of the place.



There is four floors to the temple, but only three are accessible to the public. There are hundreds of thousands of miniature buddha statues on the third and second floors, and dozens of paintings and murals along the walls and ceilings. Each of which tells a separate story, that really brings the temple together and gives it life.



After taking some video and pictures, we rejoined the others on the main floor to join in on a prayer for the new year. We sat in a large circle, and there was this large wooden bead chain which went around the circle. As the monks chanted, we moved the beads through our fingers to the right, slowly moving the chain along a few beads at a time. The others joined in and there was a chorus of singing and chanting throughout the temple. It was really a sense of awe and inner peace, and my thoughts drifted away with the singing.

Thirty minutes of chanting and singing went by, and then we took another short coffee break. The monks started placing these flower blossom shaped candles around the circle. After everyone retook their place, we began lighting the candles. Someone turned off most of the lights and we began to pass the microphone around, each saying a pray and a wish for the new year. The interesting thing about these candles was that they changed colour once you lit them.



When everyone had got their chance to put in their two cents worth, we all got up and moved the candles around to form a giant 2008 in front of the giant buddha statues. Brian and I went back upstairs for some more pictures and video. The crowd started singing some festive songs as we looked on.



With only a few minutes to go before midnight, we decided to stick around for the New Year's bell ringing. Everyone made their way outside and we formed a group on the stairs in front of the temple. As the clock struck midnight, the bell began to ring and the crowd resumed singing. I wished Brian and Mike a happy new year; they replied the same.

When the singing had ceased, we all made our way over to the bell tower. We each had our chance at ringing the bell for New Year's, which I thought was just awesome. It was a bit cold outside, but since there wasn't very many of us, it didn't take very long to make it around to everyone.



By this time, Mike, Brian, and I had been thinking we ought to leave to meet up with our friends at Gecko's...but we were trapped by our own good will. The monks sat us down and handed everyone a blank sheet of paper and a pen. We were writing letters to ourselves. After gathering my thoughts and some ideas, I put them to paper and sealed them in an envelope. The letters will be sent to us come next December. It'll be interesting to see how things progress in the next year, and I hope that the letters will turn up then.

A few more short prayers later and another sermon by the monk, we posed for a group photo in front of the now reformed giant 2009 candle arrangement. We made cracks at our unlikely situation and shared a laugh. Finally, when we broke again, we were able to convince the monks that we really needed to leave. The were offering us a meal, but we knew better, it was another trap.

It had been snowing continually since we arrived, and the roads had become covered with a sheet of ice. No cabs were available, and just as we were about to start walking, someone offered us a ride. I felt bad that they drove us, but perhaps it was a little karma for staying for four hours.

Finally we arrived at Gecko's, and not a moment too soon. We each did a few shots at the bar to catch up with the crowd which was well into the holiday "spirit". Hugs and kisses were exchanged all around, and we enjoyed the moment.

It was a rather unusual New Years for me, but one I'm sure I'll never forget. With blessings from buddha and god, we go forth into a New Year; a year filled with new friends, new experiences, and new insights. Happy New Year.