Chusok Wrap up

I experienced one of the most important Korean holidays last weekend with my host family. During Chusok, Koreans go to visit their family and pay tribute to their deceased ancestors. Food is prepared and blessed for the ancestors and then laid out on the table. When I heard things about ancestor worship rituals, and practically of all Korea participates in this holiday, I didn't know what to expect.

Luckily since my host dad is the oldest brother the family came to his house. I think since I am living with the family they did something a little different this year and didn't travel... but I'm not sure. Or maybe since they now have three apartments they could fit everyone in Gyeryong. Friday night I met one of my host father's younger brothers. He's a general surgeon and lives in Gongju, so anytime I visit Sarah I'll have a place to stay. He also said he likes to drink every night. Not sure if that was to impress me, or to worry me about him being a surgeon.

My host family's cousins were soooo cute. Little kids running around being little kids. Using the few words of english they knew with me. Running by my room screaming "BEEEEN! SO NICE TO MEET YOU!" The extended family was really nice. The whole Chusok holiday seemed kind of anticlimactic. There had been a lot of build up about the holiday, so I was kind of expecting something really crazy. But it was relaxed. No pressure to be uber polite and formal to the family, no crazy ceremonies... just a nice time.

Sunday morning we got up a little early and did the jesa ceremony, bowing and laying food out to your ancestors. The men went first and then the women bowed. I talked to some of the teachers at school, and it seems like the traditional aspect of male-dominated korean society comes out at chusok. The women work all day saturday making food, while the men lounge around see their friends.

It was raining Sunday morning, so we didn't go see the family's tombs (a Chusok tradition), and instead the young uncles my age and the little kids and I went to see a movie! It was in Korean so I couldn't really understand it. On Monday I did get to go see some traditional Korean tombs. I will post pictures later today. My host family also took my around to some other cities, Nonsan and Buryeo, to see some Korean culture. My host sister didn't come because she spent all day studying (she's only 13!) and my host brother was in one of his not talking moods, but it was good bonding time with the host mom and dad.

In conclusion, a nice relaxing weekend...