My mother, an immigrant from Germany, had the uncanny ability to scope out anyone German within a hundred mile radius no matter where she was. I used to find this humorous and would frequently tease her.
I never appreciated this behaviour until now.
Yesterday, I decided to enjoy the beautiful warm sunny weather and went to Seoul to explore. It was a wonderful day. I marvelled at the number of different restaurants within a few blocks; Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Mongolian, Moroccan, French, Ethiopian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, American, Spanish. Then I found a German restaurant and a short while later a German deli. When I walked into the deli with the delicious aroma of meats and sausages and saw the fresh sour dough buns and apple strudel, and listened to a gentleman in the corner speaking German, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
I have never felt homesick, and adjusting to new foods I have generally considered an adventure. However, hearing, seeing and smelling these memories of home and my childhood was bittersweet. Yes I miss home. My answer to this was to purchase a few of my favorite things and surprise Al with a meal of rouladen.
Will I return to that deli? Probably, if I can find it again.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Is It Spring Yet?
I feel like a five year old constantly asking "Are we there yet?" One day it is warm and sunny and no hats, gloves or heavy jackets are needed. The streets are wet with melting snow and I am anxious to capture the spring blossoms with my camera. Then it snows and the streets are treacherous with ice!
I know it is only February but I am impatient. In Winnipeg, it is cold or colder but at least there is no question. In Korea one is teased. Today I turned off the heat and am sitting with the window open.
Is it spring yet?
I know it is only February but I am impatient. In Winnipeg, it is cold or colder but at least there is no question. In Korea one is teased. Today I turned off the heat and am sitting with the window open.
Is it spring yet?
Friday, February 12, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
February 14 is Seollal Lunar New Year's Day in Korea. It is celebrated for three days February 13 - 15 where stores are closed and people return to their home towns and provinces.
The year 2010 is called GYEONGINNYEON the year of the Tiger. From what I have learned, the tiger is the symbol of faithfulness and justice. The tiger is a proactive worker and very charismatic. People born in this year are gifted with a strong sense of justice, strong mind and passion. They are well liked and often become leaders.
Al and I were going to venture into Seoul this week-end but decided against this. We learned that the one hour trip would take three hours!! Three of Al's colleagues confirmed this. During this holiday, Koreans return to their home towns and provinces to perform ceremonial rites and pay respects to their ancestors. Traffic is congested and trains are booked as people visit first the husband's family and then the wife's family. All radio stations broadcast special live traffic updates due to massive migration of people. One of Al's colleague is not looking forward to her trip to Busan (normally a 6 hour drive) she says that it will probably take 8 - 9 hours.
People buy gifts of food for friends and family. My trip to E-Mart yesterday was a nightmare! I have never seen so many people, there were even security guards directing traffic at the gates. All the carts were in use and you had to be extremely aggressive to move through the aisles. At the same time there was an underlying sense of respect. There was no shouting, pushing or rudeness!!! In all the hustle and bustle I had forgotten to have my fresh vegetables weighed and priced. No one was upset when I held up the check-out line as the staff had to take my produce back to be priced.
According to Korean tradition, it is believed that ancestors return on this day to enjoy the holiday food prepared for them. An ancestral tablet is placed on the rites table alongside the dishes and drinks. These ancestral rites also symbolize the descendant's prayer for a good new year.
A happy Lunar New Year to all.
Cheers until next time.
The year 2010 is called GYEONGINNYEON the year of the Tiger. From what I have learned, the tiger is the symbol of faithfulness and justice. The tiger is a proactive worker and very charismatic. People born in this year are gifted with a strong sense of justice, strong mind and passion. They are well liked and often become leaders.
Al and I were going to venture into Seoul this week-end but decided against this. We learned that the one hour trip would take three hours!! Three of Al's colleagues confirmed this. During this holiday, Koreans return to their home towns and provinces to perform ceremonial rites and pay respects to their ancestors. Traffic is congested and trains are booked as people visit first the husband's family and then the wife's family. All radio stations broadcast special live traffic updates due to massive migration of people. One of Al's colleague is not looking forward to her trip to Busan (normally a 6 hour drive) she says that it will probably take 8 - 9 hours.
People buy gifts of food for friends and family. My trip to E-Mart yesterday was a nightmare! I have never seen so many people, there were even security guards directing traffic at the gates. All the carts were in use and you had to be extremely aggressive to move through the aisles. At the same time there was an underlying sense of respect. There was no shouting, pushing or rudeness!!! In all the hustle and bustle I had forgotten to have my fresh vegetables weighed and priced. No one was upset when I held up the check-out line as the staff had to take my produce back to be priced.
According to Korean tradition, it is believed that ancestors return on this day to enjoy the holiday food prepared for them. An ancestral tablet is placed on the rites table alongside the dishes and drinks. These ancestral rites also symbolize the descendant's prayer for a good new year.
A happy Lunar New Year to all.
Cheers until next time.
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