I have discovered that drinking tea means more than downing a warm cup of liquid. After spending three hours at tea my hope is to make tea time a regular occurrence. It all started with an invitation quickly given and many uncertainties as to when, where and how I could accept. I was with a group already so ultimately everyone ended up invited.
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| Me with Ian in the front yard of the Tea House |
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| Just one wall full of tea weares |
My friends soon had to leave and I was left with Mr. A my main host and a few other invitees. I enjoyed learning more about Mr. A(Coach) and his family. He lived in Germany for 10 years, he was there before and after Germany united and since moving back to Korea has made his home in the village where I am staying. I had the privilege of meeting one of his sons and daughter in law a few weeks back at a local cafe. I was sad to find out that they were moving to Singapore, but am now glad I had the chance to meet them and and have that connection to their parents.
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| Mr A's Wife |
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Water is poured on the pot to release more scents.
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The head tea instructor is an elderly lady who has been serving tea for over 45 years and was the main inspiration and drive behind building the tea house. She didn't speak much English but was none the less a good instructor and added so much to the experience.
We had tea, two different ways, both Chinese in origin. It was amazing the detail behind everything and the whole philosophy behind it all. Tea drinking is meant to affect all five senses and ultimately each individuals Spirit, Mind and Body. It is meant to take time and be integrated into life and inspire a restful atmosphere. Unlike coffee, tea's purpose is to slow down, not speed up. Tea is meant to be drunk slowly and not in five minutes.
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| Everything ends up clean and ready for the next time |
After the tea was gone, everything made ready and ourselves relaxed we said good buy and were on our way. They invited me to participate in regular tea classes and I look forward to taking them up on the offer. What makes it even better is that I don't even need to take the exam :)
