A Yearly Bow

Chusok is only a few days away. This means a Swaton party (see the photos) and a mini-vacation for Daniel Teacher. Chusok is the Korean Thanksgiving but celebrated differently with more traditions than our own. Sunday, all the families will travel to wherever the grandparents reside. This is similar to our own but, in a country so dependent on public transportation, there will be no available trains or buses so I'll be stuck in Dajeon for a few days. Ok, Emily and I are planning on getting lost in a mountain for a day or two. Yesterday, we had our Chusok party and the children wore the traditional Korean clothing; the Hanbok. I was told they would, but I had no idea how cute it would be. I've seen older Koreans wearing the Hanboks going or leaving church, but this was something special. I really want to buy one but they're rather expensive (100+). Would ya'all like to see me rockin a Hanbok upon my return? I'd probably get shot in a minute. Anyway, on Chusok the families will visit the graveyards and bow before their deceased ancestors. I've been told this isn't somber though, it's more of a thank you. They have games they play (one is very similar to hack-y-sack) and they give gifts. Also, one student told me that women hold hands and walk in a circle around a tree. I thought this was odd, but, after further prodding, someone told me the entire story. Some 500 years ago, when Japan was invading, the Korean army was tiny compared to the Japanese and they wanted to do something to deceive the Japanese. They had their women accompany the soldiers, dance around and it worked, the Japanese thought they were a greater force than they actually were. Of course, Japan took over Korea in the end, but it's a nice story and it makes a nice tradition.