Lanterns aglow...

 Since 2009 Seoul has been showing displays of amazing lanterns along the Cheonggye Cheon Stream.
Our troupe of teachers set out to get there around 5:00 or a bit after since it gets dark quite early these days. So off we went with a map and a prayer of finding a stream somewhere in the middle of Seoul. (funny how these things are starting to sound so normal to my daily routine)
Well luckily we made it into the heart of Seoul and soon came upon a line. We could not even see the beginning of it but according my compass and the map we were in the right area. So what else do you do in Korea? Just get in line really. Hope that it is where you want to go. We sent two brave scouts ahead to check out if we were in the correct spot. After a bit of time, we finally heard back from our messengers via text that we were indeed in the right line.

When I asked why they weren't back yet, it was because they got distracted by a Starbucks along the route. Hey, at least we had some good drinks for the wait. I thought we would be there forever but the line moved faster than any of us could have expected. It was more of a stroll than a wait. Once we finally got through the maze of humanity we were treated to spectacular displays of light and art. These lanterns were on the water on what looked to be metal frameworks. Some must have been 8 to 10 feet tall. The detailing was beautiful. This year was a theme of Korea through time and a little bit of how it has been changed by other countries. Some breathed fire. Some came on and played music. Others just were beautiful by their simplicity. All had placards but the stream of people often moved faster than one could sit and read.

For the most part people were fairly accommodating and not too pushy by Korean standards but friends easily got swept up and down stream so to speak so sometimes you would visit with one and the next second they would be gone and one or two others would show up. By some miracle we all made it down what I would guess to be well over a mile of lanterns that could rival any float in the Rose Parade. The majority of us even made it to dinner afterward. These are the kinds of things you just have to experience when you travel. These festivals and customs shared with friends make a lifetime of memories. So my advice to you travelers out there is this. Don't try to change the place you are visiting to fit your idea of right and wrong. Embrace and accept the customs and cultures of where you are and enjoy things of beauty such as a night like this.

(many more pictures can be found on my face book page. way too many to put on the blog!)