I told everyone I would go to Korea when I graduated. I wasn't lying. I hope you enjoy reading about my first adventure as an adult as much as I enjoy having it. (In case you were wondering, the title of the blog isn't an acronym for anything. It's from one of my favorite songs. See first post.)

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Lunar New Year Festival

(Suuuuper late, I know. I think I'll just stop mentioning it.)

I don't know if everyone's seen this, but it's a bridge like right outside my apartment with a river running underneath it. Well, in the winter, there's not always water in this part of it. I'm not sure whether that's intentional or not.

The river during spring/fall/summer.

So anyway, one day I was on my way to have lunch with some friends when I saw this going on in the area in that picture. 



I showed it to my friends during lunch and one of them had remembered hearing about this ceremony that would be going on in a bunch of different places throughout the city (and I'm assuming, Korea). The ceremony is to celebrate the first full moon of the new year (정월 대보금 or jeongwol daeboreum – New Year Full Moon). They have a huge bonfire (달집 or dalchip – moon house) and it's supposed to burn away the bad luck from the previous year and bring good luck for the upcoming one. Also, people write wishes and tie them to the firewood, hoping that the burning will send them to heaven and they'll come true. 

My friends and I decided to go check it out. It was so close to my apartment, I'd hardly have been able to avoid it anyway. Also, I saw some students there which was cool because they were third graders (US-9th) and they were going to high school once school started up again, meaning I wouldn't teach them anymore.





 Laura

 Me

Nina

They also played some drums and other instruments. 

And finally, the whole thing ended with a fireworks show. 

So yeah, basically it was just a cool random festival in my backyard. (Well, not completely random...but we didn't know we'd be attending an event that day.)

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten to add some Kpop! ;)

Song's called "Fire"...so yeah.

Artist: 2NE1
Song: Fire
Album: 2NE1 EP
Released: July 2009

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