Foreignline
Tea-Making and Temple Stay
A tour to Hwaom Temple, Mt. Jiri, lead by Brother Anthony of the Royal Asiatic Society, will take place on the weekend of May 29 to 30.
Hwaom Temple is one of the oldest temples in Korea, founded in 544.
It is one of several temples that claim to be the place where tea was first planted in Korea. Korea's green tea is only dried in April and May, when the fresh shoots are full of flavor, and this tour offers a chance to experience what is involved in drying tea the traditional way, by hand.
The group will pick fresh shoots used for tea-making and be provided with a batch of leaves picked by professionals that morning.
The rest of the afternoon will be spent drying freshly picked tea leaves under the guidance of an experienced tea maker.
The evening will be spent back at the hermitage, tasting tea, learning how to brew tea and talking about the Korean way of tea.
Silence and lights-out comes early, at 9 p.m. Accommodation will be in Korean-style dormitories in the main temple. Facilities are simple but reasonably modern.
Guests are invited to attend the morning chanting, which happens at a very early hour, and breakfast will be taken in the refectory, still fairly early.
After breakfast, is a tour of the many treasures of Hwaom Temple. It has some remarkable halls, stone lanterns and pagodas of great antiquity.
If the weather is good an optional hike will be proposed up the slopes to a new hermitage with stunning views.
In the meantime, the last stages of drying the tea will have been completed by the professional tea-makers.
One kilogram of leaves only produces about 100 grams of tea after drying, enough for each participant to receive a small packet. Lunch will be taken early in the temple refectory and then the group will set off back to Seoul.
RSVP deadline is May 8 to
.
The bus will leave at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 19, from Yongsan Post Office at Sinyongsan Station, Line 4, Exit 1. Return is slated for Sunday, May 10, at 8 p.m.
The cost of the tour, including the overnight accommodation and three meals at the temple is 165,000 won for RAS members and 185,000 won for non-members.
In addition, there will be a charge for the cost of the tea leaves, which will depend on the market price at the time.
Furey Foundation Fundraiser
Rocky Mountain Tavern, Itaewon, will hold a fundraiser this Friday in aid of the Furey Foundation. The event will start at 7 p.m. and feature live music and a raffle.
Shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009, Nathan Furey passed away at the age of 34. The doctors suspect the cause was a form of encephalitis.
On Sunday March 8, after feeling ill the previous night, Nathan checked himself into a clinic where he spent the day. His condition worsened and he was taken to a hospital in the evening.
Doctors administered a gamut of tests but the results were inconclusive. He had a high fever, very high heart rate and continued seizures, which finally damaged his internal organs beyond repair.
Known as a generous man, a dependable friend, a dedicated father, a loyal son, and a caring husband, Nathan's life was cut drastically short.
He left behind his wife Hyojeong and two baby boys; Noah and Juno. At the time, the boys were aged 1 and 2, respectively.
Even before he died, anticipating a hefty hospital bill and other expenses, Nathan's friends sprung into action and over the course of a couple of weeks, millions of won were donated to the Furey Foundation, a trust fund set up for the education of Nathan's two boys.
The grand prize will be an autographed World Cup 2010 replica soccer ball (retail value 150,000 won), first prize, a J.S. Park Manchester United replica jersey and other prizes include a bottle of Jagermeister.
Raffle tickets are 2,000 won each or six for 10,000 won and the grand prize will be picked at 11 p.m.
You do not need to be present to win, if you leave your name and a cell phone number for notification.
Jeju Furey Beach Volleyball 3
If you want a great time, see a beautiful island, meet great people and contribute to a deserving cause, head to Ihoe Beach, Jeju Island, on May 29-30, and participate in Jeju Furey Beach Volleyball 3, in further support of the Furey Foundation. The event begins at 7 p.m. on the Saturday and is open to local and out-of-town individuals and teams.
Entrance to the tournament costs 180,000 won per team or 30,000 won per individual payable to Korea Exchange Bank, account number 620-186755-421. To register your team email
Psychodrama
Psychodrama is a group activity in which the group members explore through role play and with the help of interaction between the members and a director, the issues, concerns, dreams, problems and goals of people, groups and organizations.
It will take place on Tuesday May 25, and June 8 and 22, at 7 p.m. at the Korean Center for Non-violent Communication (NVC) and costs 10,000 won.
To find the center, take Line 2 to Sinchon Station, Exit 1 and continue walking straight. Pass the Hyundai Department Store and KFC. After walking 5 minutes, you will come to a dark red brick church with a Montesorri Kindergarten. Turn right immediately after the church and then turn left at the first street. Take the first left, once again. The center is the second house on the right with a green sign.
For more information call 010-7774-1807.