Big Bad Buddha

So it's that time again in South Korea when Buddha turns another year older and the masses flock to the streets to celebrate. I am super excited about this time of year because not only are the trees green and the weather is getting ridiculously warm, but street festivals are popping up all over. And those who know me well, know I love a good festival.

Thank goodness Buddha is having a birthday while I am in South Korea, because he sure knows how to have a party. The streets around the Jogye-sa temple are packed with people from all over the world celebrating by participating in various activities around the temple and the streets (see pictures below). 


Not only have I been taking part in some traditional Buddhist festivities, but I have also been exploring some of the sweet green space Seoul has to offer despite fighting off a seasonal cold (most likely spurred by the yellow dust in the air - so I've been warned by the Koreans in my life). Therefore, the pictures to follow are a mixture of my bike extravaganza to Seoul Forest ( a park in the middle of Seoul) and Buddha's birthday... check it: 

I had to add this one taken from the roof of a restaurant - it's roof chickens!!!

City scene in a district called Itaewon in Seoul.

My local park - Olympic Park

Start of the epic bike ride along the Hangang river.

Not sure how sanitary dipping in this river is, but these brave souls are trying it. 

Evergreen trees at the entrance to the Seoul Forest (not much of a forest, more of a sparse urban park, but I'll take what I can get!)

Min Ji jumping in to the kids water park and having a great time cooling down. 

The flower park in the old foundation of a building

Don't be fooled, folks, these are fakeys

Traditional drummers welcoming us to Buddha's Bday

Making lanterns

These monks are making sand art by tapping their funnels and releasing colored sand onto this intricate design.

Cheers until next time friends!

Seoul in Bloom!

It's finally happened! The brown and grey has given way to a layer of green and bursts of color. Spring has been dormant for a while but has finally sprung here in Seoul. All it took was a couple of radioactive rain showers to bring forth the greenery. (I say "radioactive" because there were some major freak outs due to the trace amounts of radioactivity found in the water around Korea after the Japanese earthquake and some storm systems were said to have trace amounts as well. I'm thinking I could have super powers by now)

Since I am here in Korea to try to save money and pay off bills, I haven't done too much sightseeing as of late. However, I have still ventured out again and again to explore this dynamic city at my fingertips and have been having a darn good time. Eventually, I will be able to cruise around the peninsula more frequently once my bank account and the weather cooperate so expect some epic adventures!

The famous cherry blossoms were out in full force for the past two weeks (they don't stick around very long) and I managed to snap some shots of the beautiful trees on Yeouido Island.

Some little Japanese character ice cream cake I thought was too cute not to put on here ^^

On my morning run

Who knew monstrous high rises could be scenic?

Might be the first IPA in South Korea! New brew at Craftworks Taphouse 

Crazy crowded in Yeouido at the cherry blossom festival

It wouldn't be a Korean festival without silkworm larvae and soju!!

The infamous ajummas!

Can't wait to keep exploring. Thinking about heading back to Jeonju next weekend so expect some bibimbap and takkalbi!!

^^