Today we got up at 5am for the morning meditation session with the monks. It was very early for me, but I was curious, so I went. We arrived like a min late but still got a mat. Only 6 of us made it up for the mediation. It started with some stretching and then breathing meditation for 10 mins. The monk told us not to close our eyes, so we don’t sleep. After that we went outside to do walking meditation. She had us all stand in a large circle and walk slowly. I copied how the monk walked but she was so slow I found myself a step ahead most times. But I really liked the walking meditation, I found it relaxing. After that we went to breakfast. It was good, we were quieter for it this time, and I tried not to talk. Then after breakfast we started to head for the statue. 

The statue at this temple was a huge Buddha carved into the side of a mountain. It is 1500 years old. We tried to see it the other night, but it was dark and there were wild pigs, so we were sent back. We went as a big group to the mountain this morning. The hike up was fun; they had some stairs carved into the mountain as well. I love rocky hikes, so I had a great time. You could see the whole valley and mountains from up there! It was amazing!! I’ve included some pictures below. 

On the way down the mountain, we found a souvenir shop. They had a ton of things, but I didn’t have my money with me, so we had to run down the mountain to get our cash. I also grabbed Sophie’s stuff. Then went up to buy stuff. I bought a gift for my mom, myself (which I love), and a gift for my friend. 

Then we had some more seonmudo training and some yoga. I bend a little bit better but not all the way. I still had a lot of fun though. Then we went to teatime with the head monk. He answered some questions we had, while drinking the tea. We went through about 2-3 cups and then got a group photo. I had such a great time. Then we had to pack and get on the bus. I loved the temple. It was such a great getaway into nature. You could hear the birds, something you couldn’t do in Seoul or even Pittsburgh. 

We did lunch at this restaurant that served meat. And the guys were so happy to have it again. I enjoyed it a lot as well. And there was a hair in the food and then I thought we might get a new bowl with meat and instead they came out with 6 bottles of Pepsi. Which I liked as compensation, but the meat would have been better. Then we got back on the bus to ride to the cheonmachong tombs. 

The tombs are these huge hills covered in grass. Reminded me a lot of the ancient Egypt shows I watch on Disney plus. I think they only know one of the guys who was buried. There was a ton of treasure found in there including very heavy earrings and golden shoes. Then we went to this shopping area. They had such great stuff! So many cute stores I loved it so much. I bought gifts for my family and these cute ducks statue things. They were seven dollars and they are awesome! Like they have little raincoats and bows. Then we got back onto the bus to go to Poyang. 

We stopped part of the way to see this bridge. It was traditional architecture and I thought it was cool. They had little stepping stones across the river to see the bridge from far away that I went on. Then we got back on the bus and drove for 40 min to Poyang. 

We got to the hotel and checked in. Our room is so much bigger here! I love it! Then we went to dinner in a small group and found this restaurant down around the beach area. By the way there’s a beach! An ocean beach with like sand and shells and everything! Anyway, it was this chicken restaurant, and we got the fish and chicken. Do not order fish at a chicken restaurant just get the chicken. We also got spicy chicken which was way too hot for me but everyone else at the table could eat it. I made it a half a piece and couldn’t eat the rest. Then we went to the beach across the road!

It is beautiful! There is a really big steel factory nearby, but it is light up nice so it looks cute. And the sand was so soft and there were shells. I want to take home some of the sand to my mom because she collects it from the beaches that we go to. But I also was trying to find a full sand dollar. I found some half ones but not full one. It was also night, so the water was dark and the sand was dark, but it was still beautiful. The ocean waves in the dark were very calming. And then we got some group photos on the pier area thingy and took the bus back.