Be Fearless, Travel Solo

Take me out to the Ball Game, Take me out the crowd! Buy me some peanuts and —dried squid? A Chicagoian abroad must experience a Korean baseball game. I had heard about the reputation of Korean baseball fans; energetic, loyal, and with cheering so organized and extensive, it would to make any cheerleader cry with pride. As a Chicago White Sox fan, much from the influence of my twin brother, I knew I would enjoy a game in Korea. I saw the LG Twins vs. the Hanwha Eagles, at Jamsil Stadium, right in the center of Seoul. I expected the ball park to be larger than the MLB Teams in America, but to my surprise it was smaller. The crowd looked a bit dressed up to me for going to a ball game. I am used the whole team-jersey-and-jeans look at American games. It was 8,000 Won for a seat on the upper deck between 3rd base and home plate, yes, that’s 6 dollars for a professional game of baseball. The food was just as cheap, with KCF and Burger King at every corner. Not a hot dog or polis...

I am soon woken up with the ringing of a wooden Buddhist bell, rung by one of the monks as he walked the balcony waking us temple-stayers. We grumble out of bed and walk out in the cold outside. It was 4:00 am and still dark out. We walk up the hill on the trail that leads to where we eat our meals and past the monks quarters and up a steep hill. We soon arrive at a small temple, half dug out of the hill, but painted in brightly colored patterns with fuchsia lotus lanterns coving the entire ceiling. I could appreciate its beauty even in my sleep deprived state. We performed three bows on a mat and then sat crossed legged and heard a group of monks, and to my enjoyment, the 5 young monks, chant their Buddhist hymns. The chanting was powerful and calm at the sametime. I was almost lulled asleep by it. Every now and then we would stand up and perform more bows. After about an hour of chanting and bowing we meditated for half an hour. We were told to clear our mind and think of nothing...