Do Good, Feel Good: Lotus Lantern Festival

With my time in Asia drawing to a close, it seems that time is flying faster and faster. I'm doing my best now to squeeze every second of history, culture, and experience into my time.

This past weekend, the downtown streets of Seoul were a'glitter with thousands of paper lanterns. With clear skies and summer heat, I couldn't have asked for a better day. There were dozens of booths offering arts & crafts...yes, I love to craft. Give me a hot glue gun and I will be out of your hair for hours, maybe days.

busy store front

We painted communal murals, made lotus candles, prayer bead bracelets, lotus lanterns, and incense.

So talented! ha

our lotus candles

making prayer beads

incense...before it's rolled into thin sticks

We got dressed up in wedding hanbok and didn't even mind the crowds of Koreans taking our photo.

oh...dear

We talked to monks, learned a lot about the Buddhist religion all over the world, and it built up even more excitement for our temple-stay in 2 weeks. We will be staying in one of the oldest temples in Korea, with the oldest Buddha shrine carved into a cave. Um...YES. We explored Jogyesa, the temple that was the base of the days events. It looked like a bag of skittles...so bright and beautiful.

lanterns inside Jogyesa Temple

We also had the opportunity to be "healed" of all of our bodily pains. A traditional and very old form of Korean healing, called Moxa, that uses the pressure points in the hand to sooth your pains. I told the old woman I had stomach pains ( don't really have pains...but, it would do). She ignored me and began to dig her nails into the veins on the top of my hand. After I screamed, she came to the conclusion I had back pain? Who knew. So she stuck these little things that look like cigarettes on my hands and lit them on fire. It burned a bit and smelled bad, but hey, my back feels great!

excuse my ghetto nails...I was bored

We stopped for some bbq and beer, then headed to stake out a spot on the parade route. I am small town America, so I do parades. Big time. Popcorn fest, Gay Pride, St. Patty's...you name it. Yeehaw.

The lanterns were beautiful! I couldn't believe they were made of paper! I wouldn't have believed it, but during the day, we saw them being prepared and I touched one. It was definitely paper.

There were so many people, so many lanterns, and so many pictures. I wish the camera I used had better night-time options...but I will remember them in my mind. You know...how we did BEFORE the crazy camera phase.

You might be wondering why I chose to title this post "Do Good, Feel Good". Or not. I've been thinking a lot lately about my time here in Korea and my time on Earth in general. It may sound obvious, but doing good..for myself and others, makes me feel like this crazy contraption of a life I'm driving really does have a destiny. I'm not just aimlessly rolling down a hill. I have a Point B that nicely compliments my point A. Sure I'll make many of pit stops, but I'm getting there. If I can continue to stay positive and emmerse myself in all my surroundings have to offer, then I think I might just have something good on my hands.

Am looking forward to my 3 day week and a trip to Busan..the major port of Korea. Can't stop thinking about how exciting the next few months of my life will be...

-C