Arrived in Seoul on Monday after a long flight. Walked around in the street market for a light dinner. Many interesting things
to choose from dumplings, cabbage omelet, banana Nutella crepes. We choose Korean chicken in a cup and egg buns. Egg bun was almond Paste dough with hard boiled egg inside. Retired early...
Today was the first actual day of the tour. First visit was to changdeokgung palace and Huron gardens, a UNESCO world heritage site. The five palaces are from the longest ruling family in Korea,the joseon dynasty. Lunch was at a local restaurant where we had soup with sticky rice and a whole spring chicken cooked ginseng..it was very tasty. Then did a short walking tour downtown Seoul. We talked with a young protester who was against American troops in South Korea and for the unification of north and South Korea.
Tonight is the welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Thursday we went to a local market where they sold all varieties of ginseng. We then visited gangahwa island near the North Korea border. You can tell the mountains of North Korea because they have been stripped of trees. We had lunch at farm family who have working the land for 13 generations. The main crop was rice but they also grew snatch used for straw mats. These hand crafted mats date back to 13th century. We had a demonstration on how the mats are made. For lunch we made seaweed rolls filled with beef, rice,ham,egg,pickled radish,cucumber, sesame leaves, and tuna fish.

Friday we went to the DMZ and first took a tram to the bottom and then walked the tunnel,about 800 yards to the a concrete wall with a hole peering into the next tunnel. They knew the tunnel was there but it took 4years to locate it. We then went to the observing area where you could look into North Korea. The South Koreans were broadcasting loud music and announcements into North Korea.

Heading back to Seoul we went to another large market. We have learned so much about Korean culture that is too much to describe here. The economy appears to be booming and so many market areas. Young people are all dressed alike According to the latest fashion. They are friendly.

Saturday we went to the Buddhist temple. We first had to change into Korean style vest and pants. We then had an orientation about dining with the monk. This is a very ritual meal eaten in silence. You must eat all the food you take. Our main dish was rice and seaweed soup. Side dishes were Kim chi potatoes dried seaweed tofu. Finishing dinner includes washing your dishes with a pickled radish which is then eaten and the dish washing water is drunk. We sat on cushions for the meal. After dinner we attended the monks playing 4 instruments. We each were able to ring the bell. Afterward we observed the monks chanting.

Sunday we went to breakfast which was a little less formal,eaten at table with chairs. Food again was vegetarian. After breakfast we had tea with the monk and learned the tea ceremony. The temple was in the mountains, beautiful,serene, and peaceful. We had some time to ask questions about the life of being a monk.