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A little Beatles, Gayageum-style, to start your journey

Ever wonder what that melancholic song Korail plays before trains depart is?

I did, and it’s a good thing I have a girlfriend who is much smarter than I am. It is The Beatles’ “Let it Be” played on traditional Korean instruments, called Gayageum (가야금 / 伽倻琴).

It has a kind of reflective “it’s time to go home” feeling. Listening to it now makes me want to open a can of Max and start in on some dried 오징어.

Here’s a rendition of Let it Be and “Ob-la-di Ob-la-da” on Gayageum by the Sookmyung Gayageum Orchestra.

Here’s the original..you decide.

International Temple Stay Centre coming to Mokdong

I was wandering around Mokdong today enjoying one of my two free coffees offered to me by Starbucks today as part of their “Make a Difference” (read: hippie) campaign (free coffee for those with tumblers).

On the way to Starbucks I saw a very large, traditional “Korean-looking” building under construction down the street. So, I made a mental note, proceeded to Starbucks and ventured down the road. There I found the “국제 템플스테이 센터” (International Temple Stay Centre) under construction. It has a tall front section, with a huge (looks like 8 stories w/ 2 PH levels) residential area coming out its backside. I don’t know the details, but I will get on that.

This could be good for us spacemen who can’t find time on Thursday afternoons to attend Bongeunsa‘s (봉은사) Temple Stay.

I will do some more research. But, here’s some extra reading in Korean. I will have to find some English material.

Bulgyo Focus video: http://www.tagstory.com/video/video_post.aspx?media_id=V000407746 (Korean)

Buddhism Journal: http://www.buddhismjournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2211 (Korean)

Anyangcheon Cherry Blossoms

A slightly modified photo of the cherry blossoms on their way to full bloom on the walking path which runs along Anyangcheon (안양천) in the Yangpyeong-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu (양평동, 영등포구) section. Read on to see some more.