CHEUSOK!!! {a.k.a. Korean Thanksgiving}

"For...we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table which we did not spread. The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet." ~Rebecca Harding Davis~


Our "family" Cheusok/Thanksgiving photo:
(lt. to rt. Mary- wearing Rachel's pants, because she forgot her suitcase; Lyle-just hoping his brain will survive this group and the hike, Rachel-from NZ- an English professor & hostess with the mostess; Luz- A Maori from NZ- who can't take a serious picture-also an English teacher; her husband Brian from SLC-also an English teacher-he once lived in our stake in MT; John-Another Maori from NZ- married to Rachel and an English professor. He put us all to shame by being the first one up the mountain at age 67!)

This past weekend was one of Korean's biggest holiday's of the year. It's a combination of Thanksgivng and Memorial Day all rolled into one. The Korean's all hit the road and clog up the expressways as they head to the parents home to eat traditional food and visit the graves of their ancestors. We were invited by some friends from church to come spend the weekend with them in Daegu and the Kiwi's proved to us they know how to have a great time!

Day 1: Was spent eating lunch at a great Chinese restaurant in Daegu. After the lunch the guys went for a bike ride and the girls got pedicures...loved the wax treatment!
Later we went to a BBQ at our Branch Pres. home. He is the commander of Camp Walker, so we got our first visit of the military base in Daegu. It made me homesick for the US. When you go on Base it is a little like stepping out of Korea and back on familiar ground.



Day 2: We decided to take a hike straight up a mountain to visit Mr. Gatbawi...meaning Budha with the "stone hat". The hike started out up hill...never a good sign, and only got steeper. We kept seeing old ladies coming down the hill and a few of them packing grandchildren on their back, so I kept telling myself it can't be that bad...wrong!


Taking a much needed picnic break.


The steep hill soon became too steep for a path so they turned it into a steep staircase. Did I mention it was steep??? This climbing went on for over an hour to get to the top.

This monk had set up shop and was chanting about 2/3's of the way up the mountain. I'm sure if you translated what he was chanting it was something like ..."you all are crazy to do this hike... come buy my bracelets you crazy people"...repeated for hours.


Still climbing the stairway to heaven...


Finally made it to the top!


Lyle Gatbawi...I believe that is some Maori's finger growing out of the top of his head, or maybe just holding the rock in place!


Gatbawi and John saying it best when they say nothing at all.


Mr. Gatbawi himself...probably tired of the sun in his eyes.



Food offerings, because its Cheusok.


This woman was kow-towing to Gatbawi before taking the food offerings away. The food is used to help feed the monks.


Sweeping up the insense ashes.



Candle and incense burning are a big part of the rituals.



I was told that many parents had come to pray to Budha in behalf of their children this weekend because the college entrance exams are coming up. This test is a huge deal for Koreans, how they score on it pretty much determines their entire future.


Two home-boys rivals. One went to East High, the other West High...trouble, no matter how you spell it.


When you can't throw coins in a fountain, you can always hang them on a rock.


Luz had this great idea for a photo, but the camera proves she cheated.


Serious game playing at midnight (or just to tired to laugh). Girls won by the way.

Thanks Kiwi's for making this first Thanksgiving in Korea one we are grateful for and won't soon forget!