My favorite tea house in Insadong.
Joe recommended me to visit Marchera Wellbing in the city of Taejeon. It is a new place located at a town of Yoosung in the city of Taejeon. It is a brand new town being prepared to become the political capital of Korea. Starting from next year, most of the administration offices of Korean government will be moved to this new city. Marchera Wellbeing is an all you can eat place. For about $10, you can have all you can eat vegitables, fruits, and vegitarian dishes.
I brought my friends from the city of Taejon to join me for lunch at the place.
At the city of Taejeon, there is a favorite tea house of mine at a town called Sunhwadong. The name of the town literally means a place where one becomes an immortal. What do you think? Will I become an immortal?
I took my son to a Buddist food place. It is the most famous Buddhist food place in Insadong. The restaurant is called "Sanchon." It is a twenty dish vegitarian lunch for $20. I highly recommend the place.
The meca of tea trees in Korea is the mountains of Jiri. It is a huge mountain range located in the middle and south of Korea. The guardian spirit of the Jiri mountain is known as "Nogo Halme," literally translated as the grandmother of old and ancient. Sometimes she is referred to as "Mago Halme," or "Samshin Halme." Mago is a Goddess that gave birth to humanity. She is also known as the goddess that is the chief of a paradise community known as "Magodan." Samshin is the origin that gave birth to the universe, to the principle, and even us. She is known as the giver of birth, who is present when a life is impregnated as well as when a life is born. "Samshin Halme," is literally translated as the triune grandmother. It does not mean there are three different grandmothers, but sometimes she is literally described as being three. She is often referred to as being female; but not all the time. In the Bible, when Abraham is visited by three men, he asks his wife to prepare an offering table. Abraham is obviously not receiving guests, but rather "Samshin Halme," who tells Abrahma's wife that she will bear a child. Then they state they will be back for the birth of the child to complete the role of the "Samshin Halme."
At one of the peaks of Jiri mountain, there is a mound built as an offering to "Nogo Halme." I was planning to climb to the top before sunrise, but I got there way after the sunrise, out of breath, drenched in sweat.
If you can see the gentle sway of the mountain ranges of Jiri mountain, then you can understand why Jiri mountain is referred to as a female mountain.
Korea is a peninsula, there are abundant sea shores everywhere. The most beautiful among them is Naksan Temple. This is the Naksan tea house next to the sea side.
There are many temples in Korea where Temple stay is available. All Temples in Korea are located at the most beautiful sites and it is just wonderful spending a night there. Also delicious vegetarian foods along with teas at the most tranquil sites are included in the price. This is the Naksan Temple tea house. If we ever do plan a trip to Korea, then definately Temple stay would be the best option.
About 30 minutes away from the Naksan Temple is the Serak mountain. One of the most beautiful and famous mountain of Korea.
