Koreans love Starcraft! They have several TV channels on most cable networks that show competitive multiplayer Starcraft battles 24/7. There are many kids here that dream of going pro someday. So it's only fitting that this plane got a sweet tattoo.
After we arrived in Buseok, which turned out to be a 5 hour drive after the 12 hour flight, we got down to business. When someone dies here, it's the family's obligation to spend at least a few days all together. And that's every waking moment together. They crack jokes, reminisce about dad, and eat together. There's not much time for sleeping, and no one really cares if anyone else is sleeping anyway. After all, there's plenty of time to sleep when you're dead.
This 10000 Won note was some of the money that Obuji (father) had in his pocket before he went to the hospital. It was distributed among his 6 children so dad could take care of them one last time.
The feasting never stops. I wish I had some time to get hungry, but wouldn't you know, whenever I turn around there's another meal being served.
I read all around about the cabbage famine that's sweeping Korea right now. This is actually a big deal, since every Korean meal is served with kimchi of some sort. There are other veggies that can be made into it, but cabbage is king. So there's a real cash crop that was produced from the garden.
Obuji wanted to be buried at a special spot next to the apple orchard that his family has harvested for at least a generation. This spot is called Sejigi, which means something like the place where the sun rises and sets. It's sunny all day here, and is an excellent spot according to Feng Shui. It's important to pick a spot with good Feng Shui to be buried. Equally important, is the maintenance that the male heirs of the family must perform every year to keep the grass on the mound short (Beolcho - see my other post). The men of the family have a new grave to tend every Chuseok.
It's a beautiful and peaceful orchard. Anyone would feel lucky to have a grave here. We strolled around checking out the crop this year.
Finally we paid our last respects and said goodbye to proud Obuji. Everyone agrees that he's had a life that never would have been expected given the hardships he endured early on. He's maintained his lifestyle throughout the good times and bad, and had a tremendous outpouring of respect from his community. He was a man that made no enemies, only friends wherever he went.
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