CHUSEOK
At the beginning of this month, we celebrated Chuseok. Chuseok is the equalivant to Thanksgiving in America. Just like us, Koreans gather around, eat LOTS of meat and enjoy family, so we fit in very well. Ellie (our Korean friend) invited us to join her and her family for Chuseok. Scott and I were able to finally met her entire AMAZING family. Some of them barely even knew how to speak one word of English but they were so accepting and great hosts. Her sisters said that watching Scott and me interact was like watching a foreign movie, they may not know what we were saying, but they were able to get the 'gist' of it.After eating, what I felt like was an ENTIRE pig, Ellie, her cousin and his wife, her 3 other sisters and us went to sing karaoke. Scott and my's choice was Usher and Alicia Keys, "My Boo." It wasn't pretty....
Once we had sung until our little hearts were content, or rather, the time was up, we traveled to her grandparent's home in the country. Once there, we cracked open the beer and also all the snacks that they had raided from Ellie's parents grocery store and were able to be cut loose. I have decided that it is NOT just an American thing to completely veg out and snack until you puke during the holidays, I haven't been that full since coming to Korea!! Scott and I were able to meet her grandparents, who had never met Westerners before, neither had the neighbors or the entire town for that matter... (The town was the size of Dolliver), they were all very curious. Her grandparents stayed up with us for awhile, but retired to bed at 11pm because they had to be up at 4:30am to begin work with the rice harvest.
I had my first experience lighting off Roman Candles at Ellie's grandparent's house. The tradition of lighting off fireworks during Chuseok came from when the wild hogs used to come down from the mountains and eat the rice right before harvest. Lighting off fireworks would scary the hogs away from the rice fields and you would have a good harvest. = ) I just think it was a fun end to the night.
After fireworks, we went back to her grandparent's house and had a sleep over (Korean style). Which means, straight up, on the floor, in the middle of the entry way or where ever we could fit. Her grandparents do not own a bed. They have a light foam mat, blankets and pillows that they sleep on!! I don't know how they do it, my back was killing me the next morning!
When we woke up (I am a light sleeper so I woke up at 4:30am with the grandparents, while everyone else slept until 10:30am) we ate some Ramen noodles for breakfast and departed for Ellie's again.
A million 'good-bye's' from the family (I believe Ellie coached them on how to say, Good-bye and 'I love you') and a bus ride later and we were finally home (to our own bed and a long awaited nap!). I could not have asked for a better Chuseok vacation. We were able to see some Korean traditions and also see that the holiday, it's self, may be different but the importance of family and thanks are just the same! = )
PICTURES
The spread of food for the "kids" table. Complete with Max and Hite. = )
Her uncle had learned how to speak some English during his time in the military.
He brought his guitar and song book to play us songs.
(mainly The Beetles songs)
"Kids" table, enjoying our food!
The next morning: Ellie, Sunny, Stephanie, Jennifer and Doug.
Ellie's grandmother and the neighbor sifting through the rice.
The rice is laid out on the road to dry and then the women pick through and sort.
All the neighbors work together and divide the work so they can all be done at the same rate.
Ellie and her family gave us the "Thanksgiving" that we are going to miss. I don't know if we could ever thank them enough for allowing us to join their family for this holiday! I hope everyone is well back home and that you are enjoy your Thanksgiving back in the states as much as we enjoyed ours in Korea and remember the two important things: FAMILY .... and lots of snacks! <3
Much love!!
-C
October 1st, 2012
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