설날

 

My boss called me the morning of this sunset. Afternoon, rather. He said, "I'll be to your house in two hours and we go to my brother's house." The next day was Seollal, Korea's Lunar New Year. "We will stay the night and pray to my father and eat breakfast." Two hours later, he picked me up. Two hours after that, this sunset.

It was a late night, but rather relaxed. We ate and ate and ate and drank and drank. My director had told me to bring my guitar, which I did, and they made me play and sing. Rather embarrassing, but they were impressed. Then we cooked LOADS of food for breakfast. In fact, we went through two bottles of oil. Eesh. So unhealthy... but so good!

My director's mother. She liked me :)

The LOADS of food. It's set up on fancy dinnerware and put on a table with candles and incense. 

The children dress up in hanboks, fancy holiday clothes... like when Mom put me in knickers and suspenders for Easter... now that I think about it, she never made Matt wear knickers...... 

Everyone bows to pay respect to their dead ancestors. You stand in front of the table and bow, then you get on your knees, bow once, stand up, back down, bow again, then stand up, bow, and it's over. But each member does it individually and then everyone as a group.

But really we're all just waiting for the food. Like the member of your family who says the LONG prayer right before Christmas turkey and dressing ;)

After eating, the men went out to sled. So much fun! From front to back, Andy, James, and Eric

 

Andy

Eric

It was a great Seollal celebration. I have a kind director to invite me with his family. What a great time.