Of 벚꽃 (cherry blossoms) and 치맥 (chimek)

One of the definite pluses about being in Korea for the spring semester is the fact that cherry blossoms are blooming left right center! It is hard to be in a lousy mood for long when you are greeted by such pretty sights everywhere you go. This is definitely a welcomed change from Beijing where spring (春天) is a short lived season of allergies as the catkins (fondly known as 柳絮) from the willow trees are everywhere. I have a Thai friend who has such severe allergic reactions to the catkins that spring is often a week long stay at home and visits to the hospital... And also from Singapore, where it is summer all year round (though this year there has been a massive blooming after a bout of dry spell- somewhat stimulation of spring).

Here in Korea, in place of catkins floating in the air however, are cherry blossom petals. When the wind is slightly stronger than a breeze but not strong enough to send stuff flying into your eyes, the petals tango beautifully in the air with the wind before settling on the ground.

Outside Kyunghee's Second Dormitory- white specks are all cherry blossom petals!

Here at Kyunghee, the cherry blossom trees line the outside of the dormitories and grow in one full circle around the running track. Despite having woken up to it every morning for the past ten days or so, the sight never fails to take my breath away when I step out of the dorm each morning. Spring is so alive, in your face.

Evidence as shown below, photographed along the route that I take to get to class:

Growing on the slopes next to the running track.

Plenty of cherry blossom trees dotting the little hill which I climb every day to get to class. 

The road lined with cheery blossom trees that leads to my faculty.

It got pretty warm last week, with the temperatures at noon reaching a high of 22 degrees Celsius, and the night at a comfortable 13-16 degrees. Then starting last weekend, the temperatures plunged and day time temperatures barely made it above 12 degrees. Korea had to do that just when I dug out my summer wear and was all ready to put my sweaters away for the next 6 months... Why?

In Chinese, there is a phrase to describe this plunge in the temperatures- 乍暖还寒 (zhà nuǎn huán hán). It is usually used when winter and spring seem to be coexisting, and the weather is erratic. However, I have since learnt a new phrase in Korean which I think better describes this phenomenon: 꽃샘추위. 

To break it down...

꽃= flowers

샘= jealousy

추위 = cold

Winter is dying and is jealous of the flowers which blooms in Spring, hence holds out for as long as she can in a spat of dying vengeance. This reminds me of the Cinderella story, with Winter being the jealous stepsisters and Spring being poor Cinderella who is not allowed out. Still, we all know that Cinderella finds her Prince, and Spring will eventually get its time in the sun. Only drawback to this battle of the seasons is that it is making it impossible for me to dress without first checking the weather app. 

Now, more photos to make Winter jealous:)

Street lamp with cheery blossom trees in the background.

Close-up. 

Daddy came to visit <3

Also, what good is spring if all you do it stay indoors? The flowers are practically screaming for you to pay them some attention before they disappear for another year, and the weather is warm enough to say goodbye to the down jackets yet cool enough to wear stylish coats. Naturally I took advantage of that by going on a picnic by the Han River (한강) on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. 

We headed to Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도 한강공원), sat down on a nice patch of grass and ordered chimek (치맥), which is essentially a condensed way of saying flavoured fried chicken (치킨 chi-kin) and beer (맥주 mek-ju). 

See all the people behind us? Everyone's out enjoying spring while it lasts.

Us while waiting for the delivery.

Selca!

没有人永远年轻，但永远有人年轻。那一年，我们曾年轻。

I highly highly highly encourage you to take half a day to enjoy sitting by the Han River and with some food, alcohol and good company. Going on holiday should not mean having to cramp all the touristy places into a week, but also about letting yourself take a break. I can't think of a better way to take one than this:) Just like my dad would always say when my mum complains about not having enough time to take in all the sights:

留点遗憾，下次再来

(Leave some regrets and return another time.)   

Directions to the Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도 한강공원) : 

Take subway line 5 to Yeouinaru (여의나루) station. Come out of exit 2. 

***If you would like to rent a bicycle and go cycling, walk straight from exit 2 for about 5 minutes and you will see the bicycle rental counter. It costs 4000 won an hour, and you will need to give them an ID (passport/alien registration card/driving license). They have both tandem bicycles and normal bicycles.***