Today I went to Sunday mass at Myeong-dong Cathedral. It is the home of the Archdiocese of Seoul and symbol of the Catholic Korean community. Catholicism first arrived in Korea in the late 17oo's brought over by Jesuit missionaries from Europe. The early Catholic community was persecuted in the 1800's by the Korean emperor who saw them as a threat to his government and consequently over 8,000 Korean Christians were executed for their faith. 104 of those martyrs were canonized by Pope John Paul in 1984. Korea is today 25% Catholic, 25% Protestant and 49 % Buddhist (with 1 % Confucianist). It is the most Christianized East Asian nation.
The mass was a beautiful blend of Eastern and Western influences. Just one example-the congregation bows instead of shaking hands to wish each other "peace".
Take Me Out To the Ballgame, take me out to the crowd, buy me some gimbap (Korean Sushi) and dried squid??(check it out below)...I don't 
care if I ever come back, for it's root, root root, for the home team, if they don't win it's OK?, for it's one, two, three strikes your out at the Korean ball game!...........what I wonderful Sunday afternoon at the ballpark in Seoul. We we were rooting for the Doosan Bears as they were being routed by the Kia Tigers, 11-2. But the home tean fans didn't seem to mind the rout. They loyally cheered on their team from start to finish. The Koreans received baseball from the Japanese at the turn of the century. South Korea won a bronze medal for baseball at Sydney Olympics in 2000 and has had a professional league since 1982, with teams sponsored by local jaebol (giant, family-run companies). Baseball in Korea has a spirit that is reflective of 
the Korean society. 
There is an intensity to the game. The fans continually chant songs and clap their blow up "clappers" to cheer on their team to victory. They are led by "cheer coaches" who stand on platforms to lead the faithful in their encouraging chants and cheers. You can really feel the energy in a Korean game of baseball.......To eat we enjoyed the usual....sushi....I couldn't find hotdogs or popcorn anywhere...but I did find rice pufs....The game ended with the usual team bow to their loyal fans and even though the Bears lost, their loyal fans clapped for their appreciation of the team...what a great way to spend our free day to explore Korean culture....you can't get any more cultural than a good old fashion Korean day at the ballpark!
Take Me Out To the Ballgame, take me out to the crowd, buy me some gimbap (Korean Sushi) and dried squid??(check it out below)...I don't 
care if I ever come back, for it's root, root root, for the home team, if they don't win it's OK?, for it's one, two, three strikes your out at the Korean ball game!...........what I wonderful Sunday afternoon at the ballpark in Seoul. We we were rooting for the Doosan Bears as they were being routed by the Kia Tigers, 11-2. But the home tean fans didn't seem to mind the rout. They loyally cheered on their team from start to finish. The Koreans received baseball from the Japanese at the turn of the century. South Korea won a bronze medal for baseball at Sydney Olympics in 2000 and has had a professional league since 1982, with teams sponsored by local jaebol (giant, family-run companies). Baseball in Korea has a spirit that is reflective of 
the Korean society. 
There is an intensity to the game. The fans continually chant songs and clap their blow up "clappers" to cheer on their team to victory. They are led by "cheer coaches" who stand on platforms to lead the faithful in their encouraging chants and cheers. You can really feel the energy in a Korean game of baseball.......To eat we enjoyed the usual....sushi....I couldn't find hotdogs or popcorn anywhere...but I did find rice pufs....The game ended with the usual team bow to their loyal fans and even though the Bears lost, their loyal fans clapped for their appreciation of the team...what a great way to spend our free day to explore Korean culture....you can't get any more cultural than a good old fashion Korean day at the ballpark! 
GO DOOSAN BEARS!!
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