Wednesday July 3

Today was all about Confucian virtue and education. We started the day at Oksan Seowon, a traditional Confucian Academy. We had to walk down a wet, slippery stone stairway the walk across a stream on a wooden board with no handrails. Once across we came into a beautiful academy, looking out over a misty green mountain. It was a place of serenity, thought, and learning.

We took off our shoes and settled ourselves onto the floor of this learning place. Professor Peterson then talked for over an hour about the exams that students would take for admission to the civil service, which were the most prestigious positions.

Our next stop was Yangdong village which is also a UNESCO site. This cultural village contains historic buildings and a glance at what village life was like in the past, but it is also a place where people live today.

I think every day has felt hotter and more humid than the day before, and today was no exception. It was raining we left Kyungju, and I thought for sure we would see the monsoon. But the sun was shining and steaming us by the time we were in Yangdong. The village is built on steep hills and we walked up them all.

As a sign of respect, the village elder hosted us. He is only in his thirties but he became the clan leader at age 29 when his father died young. His main duties are in hosting traditional ceremonies, and greeting visitors. Although it seemed as though 40 Americans might be imposing on him on a day when he was also preparing for an important ceremony to be held that evening, the Professor explained that, to him, "There is nothing more pleasurable than greeting guests who have traveled far." Another Confucian virtue. We were given the opportunity to sit with him and ask questions for awhile.

These virtues are apparent in Korean culture today, from the emphasis on studying hard for exams to graciously welcoming guests. While some of these traditions may seem anachronistic there is something to be said for respecting tradition. While I am here, I will gladly take off my shoes despite my stinky feet, sit on the floor when I'd rather have a chair, cross my legs so my feet don't point at an elder when I'd rather stretch them out, and clean my plate despite the unfamiliar food.