On the 10 May, we had to get up super early as we were headed to our Golgulsa Templestay at a Buddhist Monastery. We took the Korean Train Express which is a high speed rail going up to 300 km per hour. After that was a bus ride to the temple. The bus only went to the bottom of the hill when we got there so we had to walk the rest of the way uphill with our luggage, which wasn’t as bad as I just appeared to make it sound !
We had to check in and we were each given a pillowcase, a sheet, baggy brown pants, a yellow vest and a towel. Clint and I had our own room but if you were single, you had to bunk up with other singles. I should add, when I say bunk up, I really mean bunk down, we were sleeping on the floor! It was a very plain, austere room, 2 sleeping mats (thin), a sink and a toilet. No other furniture except for two shelf units to hold blankets and your gear. Dinner and breakfast the next morning, were at a dining room and you had to sit on the floor to eat, go to a table and choose your food and then wash your own dishes. We were lucky, there were chairs by the wall with a shelf so we ate there. They put on a martial arts show in the afternoon and then you were free to hike around and up the big hill and I mean big. And steep……….
The main building, our room was in the back of this building but there were other buildings 
Our room 
It was a pretty interesting spot however I don’t think the clothes are a good look for me ! 
Washing our dishes 
Dinner ! We each got a plate, bowl and small water cup 
Dining area 
Martial Arts 
The next morning they got up at 5 a.m. with chimes! The chimes didn’t go off however, so good thing Clint had set our alarm. We had to go to the Exercise building and do prostrations and meditation. And yes it was as bad as it sounds!! Then we went outside to a field and made a human circle and did Tai Chi slow walking. Breakfast was rice, vegetables, tomatoes, bread and jam. And water…………… My Aunt made the comment “You paid for this??” lol
Our group 
Story of Dong the Dog 
Dong the Dog statue and a monk 
Clint
It was a very interesting experience and according to our itinerary, we will be staying at another monastery when we go to Japan.
Next stop the UNESCO site of Yangdong Folk village……….
Trums Travels 
sounds pretty interesting, but not my vip of tea. Was there at least a McDonald’s there to order breakfast. I’d laugh my head off if there was a tim hortons
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There were McDonald’s all through South Korea and we tried one and I think it was OK, pretty much the same as what we have here. Clint likes to try McDonald’s in every country we go to. But no, I did not see any Tim Hortons lol
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Wow – talk about austere and all that hiking, uphill, all over the place, exercises with that paltry amount of food. I’d have been starving! What an experience, from top to bottom, including the clothing!
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It was certainly different! And to think we went there voluntarily ! lol
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Yes, I kept thinking that too with every new picture and description you had! Then you said it is the same scenario in Japan – you guys are troupers.
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Yes, that post will be coming up in a couple of weeks, when we did the other monastery in Japan, it was a bit different though, the floor mats were a little bit thicker lol
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Well, a step up is good, not quite the comforts of home, but …. I’m sure you and Clint muttered to yourselves “it’s the experience and this is why we travel!”
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