Jong-hwan and his mother picked me up bright and early on new years day and we drove out to the country to his great uncle’s house. As we were pulling up to the house I see a little face peeking out of the window and then two more appear and then five and in a matter of seconds, ten little faces were smashed up against the glass watching intently as we walked up towards the house. When we entered the house, children immediately started spilling out of the side bedroom like clowns in a clown car. The brave ones running up to say “hello” in English, just to turn right back around and duck behind a parent, all the while giggling hysterically and each time I replied “hello” back, more giggles. So I know a thing or two about uncontrollable laughing fits and I myself am pretty good at this game so I knew right away we would all get along just fine J.
All of his aunts and female relatives were fixing breakfast in the kitchen while his uncles were in a small room gathered around a memorial table made to honor the grandparents that have passed. I sat and watched as each male family member, according to rank, bowed in front of the memorial and offered food and drink to their ancestors.
Afterward, we all sat down for a traditional breakfast. Dozens of small dishes were spread across the table and as a gracious guest , I took up my chopsticks and timidly reached towards the only thing familiar – gimchi, while Jong-hwan’s mother coached me through, motioning to each dish and then gesturing to her mouth “eat, eat”. I must have looked like deer in headlights because my brain was in the middle of telling my body to just hang on for one more minute so it can process what the heck is about to be shoved into my mouth. There are just some things in this world that shouldn’t ever be an option for eating. I’ll just leave it at that. I was grateful to be there.
After breakfast, Jong-hwan and his uncles (and I) drove out to the burial grounds of his grandparents. I’ve never seen any cemeteries in Korea thus far but that’s not to say they do not exist. What you will see are small hills of dirt overgrown by weeds and grass scattered across the countryside where family members are buried above one another. We stayed at the burial site for a short while and then headed back to the house.
It’s tradition on new years that the children will pay their respects to the living elders by performing a traditional kneel and bow as a formal greeting first to the grandparents, then to the parents and finally to each aunt and uncle. The children were paired together by family and each pair went into a room with the elders to say hello and receive a gift (money). Jong-hwan and I went into the room together and they were very forgiving when I performed the male bow by mistake. Oops.
By noon I was exhausted. We said our goodbyes and continued on to Jong-hwan’s aunt’s house for more food!!!
The day was so busy that I barely had time to take any photos but here are a few of the ones that were taken!
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| Niece in traditional Korean Hanbok |
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| Cousin, Me |
What a precious opportunity/adventure you had that day!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, it was pretty cool :)
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