more post cards from Seoul .. and Ahndong

more shapes from Korea

shapes of Korea

Inside Korea

It's warm, it's rice and spicy dishes, it's 'Anyonghaseyo' - it's Korea! it's good. We're in the mountains at the main temple of the Chontae order settling in after a fun time at the Boryrang mud festival and lots of other experiences. Pics comming soon - so stay tuned!

Korean Health Food

Last week I enjoyed the most delicious food at Mee Rim's home - a salad with more than 20 various leaves and herbs - was amongst the dishes. Some were healthy for women's hormone balance, some good for digestion - and then I also found these leaves which looked like something I'd normally use for decoration rather than eating! In Danish it's called Tree of Paradise and it's a sukkulent. Asking Mee Rim about the name, she answered "ton namul" (money herb) and since Tree of Paradise is often believed to bring lots of money and wealth to the owner - I lingered a few second before eating it.

Luckily I found out that "ton namul" is actually a herb for eating and in Denmark it's called "portulak".

But that's the beauty of Korean cuisine - it makes use of natures resources. And it seems only natural in a country with temples in mountain settings and villagers tradition for outings to collect herbs and plants as sources of vitamins and minerals.


Interesting to see in a currently airing Danish tv-show - Frilandshaven (The Outdoor Garden)- this herb is also mentioned and known from literature since the 15th century.

Adoption as part of a theatre performance "3 x 3 women" Edison C:ntact Copenhagen

Here's a clip from a theatre performance “3 x 3 Women”, performing last week at the Edison C:ntact annex scene in Copenhagen, Denmark. 9 women, living in Denmark, with roots in various countries e.g. Denmark, Indonesia, Marocco, Norway, and South Korea shared personal stories on issues e.g. roots and identity, relationships with parents, dealing with prejudism and stereotypes, lost loves and newfound loves..

3x3 Kvinder Edison C:ntact
Sendt af kimchi-dk

As one of the participants, I shared how my journey out of Korea, 38 years ago, has shaped my identity and how over the years, my sense of cultural and emotional roots have grown to rediscover and to fully embrace my Korean heritage - without translating any political adoptee agenda or intellectual identity issues into this statement ;) - just the basic instinct that inside I feel "Korean". And moreover, this journey has led me not only to rediscover Korea but towards a deep understanding that we all have to increase our sense of humanity first.. I’ve been living without fully identifying as a Danish or Korean person – so I had to go to the basic and that is - just being a human being.

Like Amtul, one of the first women to wear a burka on the streets of Copenhagen some 30 years ago, said, "We are like a beautiful bouquet of flowers."