We got there after about 6hrs of driving. I was given raw fish dipped in some red paste wrapped in seaweed and semi-force fed because my uncles kept saying it was good for my health. I didn’t gag and I washed it down with some beer quick! After getting a crappy night sleep on the floor sharing a blanket with my sister, we woke up for the “ceremonies.”
I wore my hanbok and we did the traditional bow (Sebae) to my grandmother, father, uncles, and my late grandfather. Then all the men left and went to my grandfather’s grave where they paid respect. Meanwhile, the women prepared for the ceremony cutting up fruits and other food. When the men returned, they bowed in front of the set up for my grandfather. Usually it’s only the men, but I took part too.
Then after that, we ate a couple times and I hung out while everyone spoke Korean around me. I was ashamed of myself for not trying to reach out more and I think in big crowds I choke and become mute. I spoke to my Aunt in Korean a bit so that made me feel better.
After hanging out, we drove to Pohang to say hello to my birth father’s younger sister. We stayed there a few hours before we trekked back to Seoul.
A few highlights:
1. When you Sebae, you receive money. So I left with W80,000 from bowing about 5 times.
2. It was nice to see my extended family again even though the language barrier was still intact.
3. I got a lot of stares from distant relatives after they asked who I was and Mun Hyuk or my birth father explained in Korean something along the lines of “she’s my daughter/sister who lives in America and is back” – I’m curious of how they explain the situation to people since it could be a bit uncomfortable. I just listen and smile as if I were a mute Korean doll on display.
4. It wasn’t even noon and I had eaten beef, fish, 2 cups of coffee, a glass of beer, some kind of fish broth/tea, and was asked to eat Octopus that I kindly denied.
5. No flat tire this time … I got home at 2:30am and woke up around 1pm today.
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