Korea is full of flowering trees on full display in spring. The cherry blossoms are the most famous, but there’s all kinds of different blossoms all over the country. I’m really disappointed because despite my best efforts I couldn’t get my camera to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the trees.
Yesterday we walked across the river and went to the cherry blossom festival downtown. It was a beautiful day and there were tons of people out roller skating, biking, and walking around. The blossoms fall off in the breeze and get into everything, your hair and clothes, the food, and all over the ground. It’s really pretty.Here’s those same trees from a different angle.
Spring is also noteworthy in Korea for the occurrence of “yellow dust” storms that originate in China. The dust storms have been happening for thousands of years, but have become more hazardous recently due to Chinese industrialization and pollution. The government issues warnings when it gets really bad, and you are supposed to stay inside during those days, kind of like a smog warning in Los Angeles. It seems like most people don’t really pay attention (you can’t really see the dust) but I do see more face masks, and I definitely hear the coughing. And the carwashes do unbelievably good business.
