Lotus lanterns aglow for Buddha's birthday celebration.

The temple was lit by thousands of lanterns, each shaped like flowers, and each signifying a wish. They went all the way from the bottom of the complex to the top of the stone Buddha, carved into the cliff and overlooking the festivities. This one was my lantern, carried on a stick of bamboo in a procession to the main temple.

Traditional dress at the temple

My time at the temple (Golgulsa, named so because caves in the rock made it once appear like a skull) and in the surrounding town was fantastic. Gyeonju is a “museum without walls” and can be likened to a colonial Williamsburg, but without the pagentry.

Later this week, I’ll be posting more recipes from China, descriptions of the temple food ceremony, and Korean farm finds from the Northeast. Until then, I’ll be recovering from some good exploring and gearing up for my next trip in three weeks.  How do you say “I’ll have what’s best” in Taiwanese and Mongolian?

Ready for a traditional meal