July 11, 2009 - Seoul, South Korea
"Two journeys had to be made without companions: the journey to your death and the one to enlightenment."~Deepak Chopra
At 3:30am we further confused our jet-lag bodies by heading to the Yogyesa Buddhist Temple for 108 stand, then kneel, then bow-head-to-floor salutations. 108 is the number of beads on the Buddhist prayer necklace representing 108 defilements one must leave behind to reach enlightenment. Much like with many churches, Buddhist ceremonies throughout the world differ. At this Korean ceremony, before the service begins, practitioners warm up with 108 salutations, which is followed by at least another 108 throughout the monk led service, intertwined with chanting. By the end of the ceremony, my knees and hip were throbbing and swollen.
After a traditional morning, we headed to one of the best Korean BBQ's in the world, according to this month's Bon Appetite magazine. Back Suk Gol grilled only the freshest Korean beef and pork over hot coals to wrap in large exotic lettuce leafs with the best red-bean paste I have ever eaten. This was not just a meal, but today's second elaborate ceremony.
The #1 goal of East Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea) is to make money in the modern world economy. Being in Korea at a point when it is believed the North and South will reunite within 1-5 years is setting the trips tone. According to rumors, Kim Jong-il's oldest son has a "Mickey Mouse Problem" (not mentally stable), the second son has taken large quantities of estrogen over the years (not traditionally accepted), and the youngest son has been secretly education in Switzerland (not old enough and holds a global perspective). China, which supplies North Korea with limited resources, has made it clear to Kim Jong-il and his men that successful participation in the global economy is most important, therefore conflict and war cannot happen!
From speaking with academic leaders, there is a feeling that with Kim Jong-il's death, reunification is eminent. However, it seems the Baby Boomer generation and older desire reunification under a democracy, but fear higher taxes and inconveniences of modernizing North Korea. Generation X'ers and younger don't seem to care, as long as Korea remains a world economic powerhouse.
