The Seoul Lantern Festival has been going on the past few weeks at the Cheonggyecheon
river walk. Advertisements have been everywhere and it seemed like an
appropriate touristy thing to do. Hand-made lanterns depicting the
chronological history of Korea illuminated this urban stream for a 1.5km
stretch. In addition to a visual representation of the Korean dynasties, one
section featured 40 lanterns of stereotypically traditional children from
countries all over the world, the German boy in lederhosen, the Japanese girl
in a kimono, while the American child was accurately portrayed as an American
Indian. The final lanterns of the walking show depicted superheroes…because
superheroes are of course emblematic of…modernity?
I have great coworkers and I’m so thankful to have this base of fun
friends. But in a city with tons of sites to explore, I like to feel that I’m expanding my social circle, as well. The past few weeks I’ve gone on a few
outings with people I’ve met through hiking trips and other various places. When
meeting someone new, the easiest thing has been to catch a meal together. This
time I explored the Lantern Festival with new company. I never know which
friendships will stick, and in the end it’s the good friendships I’m really
after. Whether or not we meet again, it was an enjoyable, albeit it chilly,
evening in downtown Seoul!
Lanterns representing traditional Korean history
One of few pictures my camera wanted to cooperate on
International children
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