Over the past couple of years, Spring time in Korea has distinguished itself as my favorite time of year in this formidable, complicated country. Spring time in Korea is akin to the Spring times we read about in childrens' stories full of blooms, sun and the fresh promise of better days ahead. I have two main theories why Spring time here is such a delight. First of all, it's such an intensely rapid transition from winter into something a lot brighter!
Coming from Canada, March and into April are neither terribly sunny , nor are they full of green or blossoming. But in general in Korea one week it is still winter and the next it is full of life. (It is pretty ironic though, because this year, the weather has been extremely warm in Canada and has lead to a very early Spring. Whereas in Korea, a much colder and longer winter than normal has delayed the blooming of the plants and trees by some weeks.)
Secondly, when Spring comes to Korea, it comes in a riot of flowers both on the ground and also in the trees. Korea is famous for it's magnolia and cherry blossom trees. They can be found all over the country and throughout the cities even. Combined with the bright blue of the spring sky and the warm yellow sun, the proliferation of tiny and BIG white and pink blossoms and flowers is a delight for all the senses that have been so denied such colourful pleasures throughout the long Fall and winter months.
Everything comes alive in the Spring in a different way than the rest of the year. People, who were previously hurrying along with their heads bowed against the cold wind during the winter months, begin to look around them and slow down to enjoy the warmth and fresh breeze. Moods improve and everything seems to be a little bit easier to acheive whether it be cleaning your apartment of doing your shopping after work. I suppose the best way to describe it would be that the city becomes reinvigorated and that energy is infectious.
The biggest thing that I have learnt about Spring is that you had better enjoy it while it lasts, because as quickly as all the beautiful blooms come into being, they surely will soon fade into a more mundane green and a watery, dreary, humid mess shortly after that; which while still pretty, is no where near as cool as walking through a city of flowers.
This year I made my pilgrimage to the mecca of all flowering trees, Gyeongju! It was a wonderful trip in both that it was more focused on photography and visiting with friends than last year and also in the fact that I got to share it with Ryno. I also got to participate in helping him learn how to finally ride a bike! An exciting and very brave venture that I feel very happy to have been a part of. I look forward to keeping this feeling of excitement in my daily life leading into the next months in Korea. A blooming spring time full of love, friendship and new adventures.
