Book Board Chat

Good afternoon from Southern California where it is (gasp!) chilly and raining. Wow, do we need that!

Well, the whirlwind trip is over.I thought of Jim (dainisjg) today as we flew over Anchorage on our way home. I thought it was interesting that rather than taking the direct route over the Pacific, we flew over land a lot of the way, each way. On the way out it was up the west coast of the US, across Alaska and down Russia, Mongolia and eastern Asia to Beijing. Then south to Seoul. We did the same in reverse on the way home. There is an in-flight entertainment screen on the back of the seats where you can watch movies, play games, or follow the flight information, including getting the names of places as you fly over them. Very interesting!

When we landed my DIL had us hit the ground running so we could stay up until bed time in Korea. It really seemed to help, as I didn't have any jet lag while I was there. We went right from the airport to hotel to drop off luggage and freshen up a bit, then to lunch, then to the Imperial palace in Seoul. It is so beautiful, and has a fascinating history. People who wear traditional Korean clothes (Hanbok) can get into the historical sites for free, so there were a lot of young ladies in beautiful flowing gowns walking around.Korea reminds me a bit of Poland in that it kept getting conquered and absorbed (for centuries) but has fiercely maintained a rich culture and pride in their country.

The second day we went to the DMZ (demilitarized zone) between North and South Korea. The DMZ is 3 miles across so you can't really see the North Korean border. The area is a strange combination of memorial, museum, military instillation and amusement park (there is actually an amusement park there, with rides.) Something I didn't realize was the existence of the infiltration tunnels. Even as the cease fire was on and peace talks continued, the North Koreans were digging tunnels under the DMZ toward Seoul. The intention was to be able to get troops out behind the South Korean troops in case of an invasion. They have found 4 large tunnels, but the suspicion is there could be dozens. We were allowed to go down into one. They are very deep down, and wide enough for 4 soldiers across to run through. They had to be deep to try to keep the blasting secret. Even so, several were discovered because soldiers top side could here 'pops' of dynamite down below. The tour was very interesting in that there was constant talk of the evils of North Korea, seasoned with an equal amount of hope for eventual reunification.

After some shopping back in Seoul we took the bullet train to Daejeon where we checked into our hotel and then were treated to a feast by DILs parents. We talked and ate and laughed and discussed wedding plans until we finally had to back to the hotel where we collapsed, exhausted.

The rest of the time was spent with shopping and wedding preparations. We ordered Hanbok (pronounced Hahn-boke - with a very soft k sound, almost silent like a stoppage of sound and air at the back of your throat), tuxedos and western style wedding gown, all rented.

The wedding was fascinating! Ah Young (DIL) wanted a combination of east/west so she and DS created the ceremony.
Prelude: (Traditional) The parents and groom all stand outside the hall and receive guests as they come in the door. Guests and parents/groom thank each other for coming/being there, bow, and then guest goes to a desk where they give a cash give in an envelop which is provided at the desk (I believe the gift is also counted and logged right there). Guest then receives a meal ticket for the buffet reception after. Guests then file in to the wedding hall. They sit at round tables, not in rows with aisles. The wedding takes place on a raised stage, and the aisle where wedding parties enter is a raised runway. Bride and groom's moms are seated at a bench on either side of the stage.

There are assistants EVERYWHERE, guiding everyone where they are supposed to be, firmly pressing a hand to your back if you aren't walking fast enough, aiding people up and down stairs to the stage, constantly arranging bridal gown so photos are perfect (they are taken throughout the ceremony).

Beginning: The moms (in unison) are guided up on to the stage where we each light a candle in the center floral arrangement, groom's mom first, on the groom's side; bride's mom next. Then we come around to the front of the candles, turn to each other and bow, slowly and deep (90 degrees); then we are guided to the front center of the stage where we turn and bow deeply in unison to the audience. Audience claps and we are escorted to our seats on the aforementioned bench.

Groom and his dad enter down the runway. Here Ah Young wanted to highlight their love for movies and our lighthearted sense of humor, so she had them enter to the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme, and DS smiled and waved the whole time. Dad and son hugged and high-fived at the "altar" and DH was directed to bow at audience (applause). He then was guided to sit down next to me.

Bride and dad enter down the runway (I don't know the name of the movie theme she used - it was a Chinese movie). They hugged, DS bowed to FIL, he put DIL's hand in DS's. Then FIL bowed to audience (applause) and was guided to sit next to MIL.

Next, bride and groom bow to audience (applause). Then they are escorted down to the bride's parents where the bride and groom bow to parents (groom down on knees, head to floor). Then parents hug bride and groom. Bride and groom are then escorted up to stage and down to our side, where we skip the bowing and do a group hug.

Grooms dad (my DH) is guided up and did traditional "Do you, Garrett..." vows for the couple. After each phrase, the announcer translated into Korean. After "you may kiss the bride" there was scattered, confused applause (I'm thinking the Korean audience wasn't used to this part). DH is guided down to sit with me.

Bride's dad is escorted up to the couple, where he gives a moving speech in Korean, which announcer translates into English. He bows to audience (applause) and is escorted back to wife.

Ah Young loves the father-daughter dance we do at American receptions, but they don't do party style receptions so she incorporated it into the ceremony. So first I was escorted up and danced with DS, then I sat and Ah Young danced with her dad, then Ah Young and Garrett dance.

Announcer announces it's over, bride and groom bow to audience to much applause, and the guests file out to the most incredible buffet spread I have ever seen. Bridal party stays behind for photos, then bride and groom change into traditional formal hanbok and we are moved into a traditionally decorated room with floor cushions where formal photos are taken.

After photos we go in to reception room and make the rounds. Some of the guests at the party are the mayor, chairman of local Citibank, owner of the hotel we stayed in, owner of the hotel the wedding took place in, etc. That told us something of the circles they move in. No wonder they take trips to Easter Island, Macchu Picchu, go horseback riding in Mongolia, etc. Wow...

The wedding started at 5:30 pm. After the dinner there is no party, dancing or reception to speak of. Everyone gets plenty of food, beer and soju, then goes home. We had an after-party in a suite rented to entertain all of the guests who came in from other countries. I was ecstatic to see Mikako (our Japanese exchange student from 10 years ago) again. It was like we had never been apart. She also told us she just found out she's expecting. A very happy surprise for us! We partied there until 1:30am, then went back to our hotel room, showered, finished packing and got on a shuttle van at 3:00am to begin the long trek home.

We're settled in, ready for some pizza and try to stay awake until bed time. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will check in later.