What a humbling pleasure to take part in one of Korea's two major national holidays - Chuseok ("chew-sock") - yesterday. It's a morning celebration that approximates North American Thanksgiving. Unsurprisingly, it involved an incredible diversity of delicious side-dishes, but also serious rituals to remember the dead. Nate and I were invited into Hyo Jung's family's home, and we bowed twice on our knees before a food offering to her departed father. We walked to another family member's home and payed our respects in similiar fashion. I felt so welcomed and accepted; smiles, food and tradition formed a connection where our gap in language couldn't.
The night before, I was taken to a "singing room", where, believe it or not, I was coaxed into singing not only an Eagles song ("Desperado", if you must know), but a Richard ('Dick') Marx song too ("Right Here Waiting", a number I was once commissioned to learn for a wedding I played at in Grade 10). The singing room is an irony-free environment where small groups of Korean friends and/or family gather to belt out songs with the intent of a Canadian Idol competitor. Not to be mistaken with karoake (which is done, like in the West, in a bar, with drinking and food to boot), these rooms are small - a few couches, a giant screen for the lyrics, and your own private PA system. And everyone participates. Our group was delighted to note that Sebastian Bach grew up in my hometown; naturally, Nate obliged the room with a passionate rendition of "I Remember You".