Fun Peniel Church Spring Retreat at Songjeong Beach Near Haeundae!

ARRIVING AT SONGJEONG BEACH

Peniel Church had a spring retreat In the midst of Lunar New Year holiday, and took foreigners to a beach-front pension at Songjeong Beach. Russel and I traveled from Yeongdo-gu to Haeundae-gu to join the rest for the overnight retreat. 

The commute was long but, amazingly, the weather cooperated. We got lost on the way to the pension and ended up trekking up and down the beach before finally finding the Tom N Toms coffee shop landmark. When we arrived, the skies were blue, people dotted the beach, and seagulls danced, flying above heads and hands that reached out to feed them. I was heading straight for the pension house when Russel veered right towards the beach. 

Russel: We're already here, so we might as well enjoy this!

I considered the high heeled boots I was wearing and the backpack I was carrying before taking a few ginger steps to follow his form weaving among crowds. I could just shake off the sand from my shoes later. And...this would only take a few minutes.

Russel picked up a few pieces of snacks from the sand that children had thrown haphazardly in the air. 

It was so cold, especially with the strong winds, but Russel (with his thin jacket) still decided to frolic on the beach first before meeting everyone

Footsteps. So many people trampled over these grounds. This evidence will just be washed away soon...

The seagulls were so numerous. Some of them looked like they were going to dive right for my face!

The pension turned out to be on the end where I'm standing from. However, Russel and I walked all the way (15 minutes away) over to that other "end" of the beach you see here before noticing that the number of hotels/motels/pensions were diminishing. We doubled back (another 15-minute walk), and were pretty hungry and tired by the time we met up with folks

Even though Songjeong Beach had a lot of people today, it is still nothing compared to the size at Haeundae Beach. Therefore, Songjeong has a much more pleasant and relaxed atmosphere than its neighbor 15 minutes away

ARRIVING AT THE PENSION

The pension was on the 5th and 6th floor of this building. Russel took the steps and I, once again, reluctantly followed - neither of us realizing there was a very convenient elevator located right at the entrance. The set of stairs was narrow and winding, so I became not a little nauseated just making my way up!

At long last, we finally arrived. The group of folks from Peniel were in various positions of repose. Some simply sitting against a stack of pillows and blankets, others sitting next to each other quietly tinkering with their phones (later, I would find out that they were actually playing Scrabble); still others were snacking and a few were beginning to prepare our dinner.

Ate Blessy took charge of our meals during the retreat. Thank you, Ate!

The Scrabble competitors. Behind them, a beautiful sun was slowly setting, casting a warm, orange glow all over this room

Aaand dinner was served, and just in time, too, as more guests arrived!

After dinner, we took a walk as a group. The people most vocal about taking a walk were the ones who, apparently, were not even planning on joining the walk. Haha. I mostly walked and talked with Monica, asking her questions like, "If you could establish any business, what would it be and why?" as lights from business establishments twinkled on the other side of the street 

PLAYING AN HOURS-LONG GAME OF "MAFIA"

After our refreshing walk, we played a long, super fun, and extremely hilarious game of "Mafia"! I didn't know how to play this game until my friends at Peniel explained it to me during our last retreat. It turns out this game is super exciting! 

But not so much if you get the cards for the lowly "townspeople," which were basically the only cards I managed to draw. That's pretty incredible, especially considering the fact that we played over 15 games, lasting from about 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. That's more or less 6 hours of Mafia! 

Nanay caught in a lie! And then another lie!

I love this series of photos. I took them while watching Ate Blessy prepare the next day's meals and making coffee for folks. This laughing fest occurred while the group was playing a card game called "BS." We called it a more appropriate name, of course, and the object is to get rid of all of your cards while going in consecutive order. Due to the nature of the game, you will most likely have to lie about the card you're putting down in order to get rid of your cards. This game was Russel's version, which, I think, involves more crazy lying, and which he defends as being more interesting and fun. 

No words...

The laughter lasted an extraordinarily long time! I didn't know what happened, but I was compelled to laugh along with them

At 9 p.m., I grew hungry and ate another serving of sopas. At 2:30 a.m., hours after Nanay had gone to bed and was attempting to sleep right next to our huge, noisy group, we had another midnight snack of sopas before finally retiring for the night. 

The men (all 3 of them) had a smaller, separate room, while the women (about 8-9?) stayed in the big room and laid out blankets to sleep on. Thankfully, the floors were heated!

I went to bed satisfied at having maxed out my laughter quota of the week. It was good. I'm a fan of retreats without "programs" or itineraries. This community-building was all organic, and it felt right. 

HOW TO GET TO SONGJEONG BEACH: 
Take Line Number 2 and get off at Haeundae Station (Exit 7).
Take bus no. 100, 100-1, 139, 142 and get off at Songjeong Beach!

Celebrating Korean Alphabet Day (or Hangeul Day) by Eating at Hurgsiru in Gijang, a Traditional Korean Restaurant Famous for Its Sulfur Duck

Holy Joy Center's English Service at Gijang posing by a 350-year-old tree!

CELEBRATING A COUPLE OF HOLIDAYS IN OCTOBER

Today, South Korea celebrates the 568th anniversary of the invention and proclamation of its extremely scientific Korean alphabet, otherwise known as Hangeul Day. I am growing quite fond of Hangeul and, without realizing it, have even begun to use this alphabet to write down notes in Visaya, Tagalog, and English. Pretty neat, I know...

Since this is a national holiday, students and teachers alike had the day off (Hooray for another holiday!). Last week featured a three-day weekend, thanks to National Foundation Day, and, though it might seem like I am getting spoiled by all these holidays, the next one is set to be on December 25th, Christmas.

NEEDING A BREAK, NEEDING A BREAK, NOT GETTING A BREAK
After what has been an emotionally-taxing last couple of weeks, I was particularly set on just staying home and relaxing. Alas, like other times, this was not to be.

While at church last Sunday, I overheard the deacons making plans for an English worship service all-day event. It was going to be a time of bonding! A time of eating! And drinking (coffee or tea)! And road tripping! It was going to be very exciting.

Except I didn't want exciting. 

I wanted relaxing. 

I didn't want to do.

I just wanted to be.

THE PERFORMANCE NEVER STOPS

Weighed down by various considerations here and back home, I was extremely reluctant for what was looking a lot like an all-day performance in affective display. I was already doing this all-day-performance-in-affective-display thing in the workplace, in front of tens of co-workers and hundreds of students, 5 times a week, and 8 hours a day; days which consisted of my thoughts crumpling past, present, and future issues into one unwieldy and likely madeopseoyo roll of kimbap. Before I turn the corner, I had forcedly swallowed this metaphorical kimbap and, in the name of professionalism and for the sake of my students, had pasted a smile on my face.

I'm a teacher, afterall. 

This is essentially part of my job description. 

However, in other spheres in my life, I wanted and expected a break. I wanted to be at a place that remained stationary; to be around people who I didn't need to pretend to be okay in front of. That or just to be in my bedroom, tucked under my increasingly-thickening covers with the lights off. 

Nobody coerced me to go but the multiple urgings and reminders and special looks from different people all made it clear that I was to be nowhere else but in attendance. So I went, not wishing to offend or disappoint anyone. 

The following is a photo story of this day. 

HURGIRSU SERVING SULFUR DUCK IN GIJANG

We took two vans and a car, with Russel and me riding in Pastor/Professor Gabriel's car with his family! Here, you see his beautiful wife and daughters checking out a huge pumpkin and other vegetables growing around the Traditionally Korean-themed restaurant. Probably my favorite photo of the day before my phone died 

INTRODUCING MY SWEET KAYLA
This is the adorably smart, dimpled, and curly-haired Kayla, Professor Gabriel's older daughter. She adores me and stuck by my side throughout the car ride, the meal, and our exploration of this place, as well as the car ride back home. Half-joking, her mother commented to me before we headed to the restaurant that she had come to terms with the fact that,

"Today, I am not her mother." 

ON TRADING IN YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER, ON LEAVING YOUR FAMILY BEHIND

I giggled, remembering the few times during my own childhood when  I had respectfully attempted to temporarily trade in my mother and father for another set of parents or family. At 4 years old, I clearly remember reassuring my mom that I would be back shortly (a week or so, or even within a couple of days, if she was lucky), and to please not forget that I was Mimi, their daughter. My mom would help a little as I very-independently set about trying to fold and pack my few possessions in a tiny plastic bag. Regretfully-yet-eagerly, I waved goodbye to my mom as I ascended the stairs to our neighbor's house, a floor above ours. She would wave back, increasing my sadness at having to leave home. 

Within a matter of a few hours, our good neighbors would return me home, agitated and in denial of the fact that I had been crying for nearly my whole sojourn due to homesickness, and too proud to actually return home on my own when I had been so willful in leaving. 

All of these childhood memories flooded my mind in a second with no introduction, no conclusion, and certainly no transitions.

From the driver's seat, Prof. Gabriel turned my direction in the backseat and reported that Kayla always talks about me. 

Prof Gabriel: Just this morning, she said, "Daddy, Daddy! Mimi is SOOO beautiful!" 

Really? Just out of nowhere?

Just out of nowhere!

Hmm. Cool!

BEING THOUGHT OF AND BEING THOUGHT WELL OF, THESE ARE HUGE!
I squeezed Kayla's hand a bit and smiled straight ahead, not wishing to make the little girl feel embarrassed. Her daddy's report cheered me immensely because she had not said it to me directly, to compliment me. She had just said it as a sort of morning declaration (or at least this is what it appears to me, hehe). And while it certainly doesn't hurt that Kayla thinks I am beautiful, I was more touched by the fact that this little girl thinks of me and, not only that, but also thinks well of me. Accurate or not, she believes the best in me and expects the best of me. 

The rest of the ride (and the rest of the day) was easier after hearing this simple thing (thanks Prof!). 

The girls gathered water from this basin. In the hot, noonday sun, the shimmering water in the basin looked enticing. I crouched down about to get a handful of water to splash on my forearms when I noticed a dead earthworm at the bottom.

Hmmm, no thanks!

For some reason, the kids seemed blind to its presence, so, in an effort to help preserve their carefree play, I didn't mention it (though I did keep a careful eye on any child who would attempt to drink the water). *Shudder*

Ariel, Kayla's younger sister, turned 5 today! We carried around a cake for her, but had to wait until later in the afternoon to sing her Happy Birthday. She was in good cheer all day, except at one point where she had gotten lost and tumbled back into the area where the rest of the adults were still eating, crying and clinging to her mom.

Once again, memories flooded my mind. The little girls are reminding me a lot of my own family, and childhood, and - I will spare you the details.

The famous Sulfur Duck served with a large pumpkin! This was very delicious!

A view of the outside. Such a sunny day!

Ariel dispensing gum to any and everybody who asked for some

Enjoying each others' company as we prepared to take a group photo under the shade of a 350-year-old tree!

 Deacon Yu assisting his father towards the rest of the group

 The beginning of our walk around the restaurant grounds (it was not an ordinary restaurant)

Where they store all kinds of ingredients for cooking!

Rounding a corner to find this view

Old kitchenware and appliances

I love these hanging vegetables!

Ariel looking cute running around and playing with her sister

Entering a building with some merchandise for sale, and a slew of artifacts on display

Hey, these look familiar!

Kayla liked being rocked on this rocking chair. Unfortunately, it's rocking capacity was extremely limited due to design and placement. We visited a mini zoo (yes, there was even a mini zoo attached to this place), and the kids had a great time harvesting nearby leaves and feeding them to the guinea pigs and rabbits - in complete violation of a sign that said not to feed the animals...(In my defense, the sign was in Korean, erm).

FEELING "AT HOME" WITH SOMEONE
I did not get the relaxing Day Off that I wanted, but I welcomed the ebb and flow of memories of home that today brought, as well as appreciated the time I had to create more memories with the little girls. It's amazing how one of their facial expressions (lit with happiness or tear-streaked with distress) can take me back in one snap of a finger. On the way home, Kayla fell asleep beside me, pressing uncomfortably against my left ribcage, but so comfortable- and peaceful looking while she slept in the crook of my arm that I couldn't bear to move her.

I hope this girl will always feel at home with me and around me! Today has been a blessing, sore rib cage and all. 

Day 1: Holy Joy Center Explores the Historic Park of Geoje's P.O.W. Camp

After lunch, we walked to the main road and got back on the bus - this time on our way to Geoje's "historic park" for the P.O.W. Camp that was established on the island shortly after the Korean War broke out some 60 years ago. 

AN EMOTIONALLY-TAXING EXPERIENCE

Of course I didn't know that our excursion would be on the emotionally-taxing side, but it was. There were some elements to this "historic park" that sometimes amused me but most of the time just disturbed me without clearly understanding why. I have never been a fan of reading small captions (or, I should say, other people's small captions, heh), but I read as much as I could to understand the events being portrayed in the displays. It helped that I had my own personal tour guide in the very enthusiastic David Jibsanim! We are similar in that, when we tell stories, we use our whole bodies to do the telling - complete with appropriate and dynamic sound effects. 

Here is our tour of the park in photo form. 

WELCOME TO THE P.O.W. CAMP

Our retreat, complete with a nifty sign we carted around for group photo ops such as this one!

 A photo of the entrance

Here is our group, jostling with so many others, to start our historic tour!
The flags you see ahead are those of the 16 countries that participated in the Korean War in 1950.

Memorial Fountain by the entrance where we took our group photo

 THE EXHIBITS BEGIN

Prison camp life

Seattle is, apparently, 5,700 miles yonder way!

More camp life on the island

Geoje was far enough away from the battlefield to be regarded as secure territory, according to Wikipedia

According to small captions and big signs alike, the prisoners were held in accordance to the Geneva Convention Rules

Depicting riots in the camp

I started to feel very anxious and claustrophobic going through this one exhibit
(there were many more after this that I somehow felt compelled to "experience")

Communist P.O.W.s rioting on the camp caused it to eventually become as bloody as any battlefield 

My young friend posing by a mural

Families affected by the war

 NORTH KOREAN ARMY INVADES THE SOUTH (ILLEGALLY)

Up until this point, I didn't know there was a "lawful" way to invade another country! Learning new things, learning new things...

THE LEGIT ROLE OF BUSAN DURING THE WAR

I loved these interactive maps!

David Jibsanim was very passionate about sharing Korea's history with our group (mainly me).
He recounted the events as if he had lived through it (which he did, but as a young boy)

Busan fending off the enemies

Well, hello, Philippines!

In honor of Pastor/Professor Gabriel's home country!

Good ole' America

The 16 "Friendly Countries" who fought in the war

"...Even now, the calamity of war still remains. 

The division of the Korean peninsula got far stiffer after the war and this tragic legacy is still in the bottom of all Korean's heart, engendering a bitter feeling of sorrow and regret."

Important dates

One of the more "interesting" photo zones throughout the camp

THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

is over, now that we're finally through with the tour. 

I couldn't help but breathe a huge sigh of relief when I saw these tall trees, and

joined the jibsanims for a reflective pause in our tour.

It was not all a dream, unfortunately

My church family

That was quite a day! Throughout the tour, I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this really the same Korea?" Oh, how many things have changed! History is messy and uncomfortable, but it's good to know and reflect on. This "historic park" may have been more biased and propaganda-heavy than I would have liked, but it's a stab at keeping history not only alive but interactive. Of course there are benefits as well as drawbacks to this, but that's a conversation better partaken in real life!

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU

What did you think of Geoje's P.O.W. Camp, historic park-style? Have you visited before? Do you plan on visiting? If you were in charge of this historic park, what would you change to improve the visitors' experience? 

How important is History in your book? Share your thoughts in the comment box below!