Korea

Pusan (Busan) Korea
With a population of 3.65 million Pusan is South Koreas’ second largest metropolis after Seoul.
Tokyo seized the area in the 19th century and tried to replace the Korean language with Japanese. These were austere times and when the Japanese were driven from the Korean peninsula after World War two there were no tears and still a bit of lingering animosity between the two nations.
There is tension between the north and south and as we are here there is talk of a missile test from the north and South Korea airlines has restricted their planes from any North Koran airspace.
However we took a tour back in time to an ancient Buddhist temple and tea ceremony. We drove by bus about an hour out to the countryside through heavily populated areas with lots of huge (40 story or more) apartment buildings side by side and very plain in appearance. There were many shops and stores packed side by side in very narrow streets with huge advertising signs everywhere.
When we arrived at the temple (actually many, many temples in a very large compound) we passed through very ornate and intricately and colorfully carved gates. We were greeted by a Buddhist monk and my first question to a dedicated follower of Buddha was: “Excuse me – where is the bathroom” – not exactly a search for enlightenment but at the time it was as close to a religious experience as I could get. The tour was peaceful and lovely and I took lots of pictures.
The tea ceremony was conducted by women in Korean kimonos and was quite church like. Green tea and rice cakes were served after lots of bowing. We were sitting on cushions on the floor in front of small tables and a monk was narrating the event. He ran into trouble with the work “cup” as he said “she puts the tea leaves in the , the, the………thing” and adds hot water”.
Twas a long bus ride back to the ship but an interesting day.