Wednesday was Children's Day and a national holiday - yippee. The people from Korean Class organised a trip to Hadong - about 2 hours away - famous for its Green Tea Festival that is on at the moment.
First stop was a place where they grew and processed a kind of apricot/plum without the sweetness. They are stored in these pots - of which there were over 3000
Next was a temple - set in amidst the trees with babbling brook nearby - very pleasant now that it is warmer.
These are massive bells.
After lunch we walked up to where these women were picking tea. I was intrigued by the fact it was growing amongst all the big rocks.
Then we stopped at a market - the yellow berries on the left come form the Gingko tree and were eaten in times of desperation. I tried one and they were quite pleasant - a cross between a berry and a chestnut in consistency.
These thorny branches are boiled in water and then you drink the water - it is 'healthy'.
The last stop was an old-style village that is used for film sets. Also shops - some selling dyed fabrics - I loved this indigo blue one.
I think I look 'up the duff' here
This is how they leave the soy bean mix to ferment
There were lots of people offering tea ceremonies - on the left is Sunny - who organises the Korean Classes.
Yep, I have to agree with the up the duff look! Tell me it is not a desire! The thought sends chills through me!!!
ReplyDeleteI have so enjoyed your blogs, very informative, so thanks for taking time to blog.
With your contract almost up you must be close to a decision if you are staying or going?
No - no desire for progeny. It's enough to teach them!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to renew my contract for a second year but until it is signed and sealed I'm not counting my chickens - and these things usually happen at the last minute so nothing has happened yet!
Pluots... (Plum-apricots) Crikey, we thought they were a NZ invention. The orchard we worked on in Central was growing them. They were OK if they were properly ripe but I thought they were vile if not ripe - very bitter skin. I wasn't convinced.
ReplyDeletePluots - what a great word. Yes - they have nothing on the real apricots.
ReplyDelete