Ok ok ok, so the parade was on April 29th. Really, I’m only about 2 weeks late. But I am actually getting around to posting!
Sadly, one thing I realized when I was watching this parade is that, well, I don’t really like parades. This is not to say I had a bad time or anything but I can’t say that it was the awe-inspiring experience some had made it out to be.
Possibly more unfortunately is that I’m still learning how to use my camera and many of the shots I took didn’t turn out at all. There’s enough to keep you all entertained for this post, and if you click any image it will take you to its full-sized version.
One thing that did make this parade better than your standard Santa Claus parade were the floats. I didn’t realize it at the time but most of these floats were hand-made by the temples and not some tacky float-making factory.
I have to say that this guy was probably one of my favorite floats. The wings moved up and down and the tail fanned in and out.
There was also a yellow one but the photo I took of it is nothing more than a big blurry mess.
Besides the floats there were many many groups of people carrying lanterns, this was, after all, the lotus lantern parare. Each group was from a temple from around Korea. Or, at least that’s how I understood it to work. There were many monks and nuns but a lot of the people were just Buddhist practitioners.
As is often the case, one of the most entertaining members of the parade was technically not a member at all. Many people had been preparing for the festivities with liquid meals through out the day. There was one wonderful ajumma who was out in the middle of the parade dancing with every group who passed by. If that group wasn’t dancing she was giving high-fives. Many times the police asked her to stay out of the street and step back into the crowd and she would, until they turned their backs. Then she’d be out in the street again.
I also took a few short video clips of the parade. Unfortunately I have yet to figure out how to make it accessible to you. There is apparently a setting that I need to administrate or somesuch. If such a time comes that I figure out how to make this video available I will post it.
And really, what’s a parade in Asia without a couple dragons …
Pictures of the DMZ and Hwa Gye Sa temple coming soon!
The second and third shots are incredible. What do you mean nothing came out and everything was blurry! :P They’re beautiful!
Thanks dude! I had to adjust the levels on most of them to make them usable.
And I didn’ t mean nothing came out but compared to how many pictures I took and how many were usable, very few turned out at all.
Dear Marie, I really enjoyed your parade pictures and the PLOG web pages. Your first ones were a little frightning as I was worried where you were living (area). You have way more courage than I will ever have. I’m once of your Mum and Dad’s friends and Keep up the great work. I will see Korea through your eyes. I mean when they are clear. Take good care of yourself, be safe. Linda S.
Hi Linda,
Yes I remember who you are (since your last name is in your email address).
Mom and Dad told me I’ve got a little following of their friends from back home.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the pictures. I was pretty scared upon arriving and seeing my area looking as dodgy as those first pictures but I’ve since come to notice that run-down doesn’t necessarily mean dodgy here in Korea. Actually nothing is what it seems here!! But it is very common to have some pretty shady areas right next door to some beautiful places.
Thanks for the comments! I love reciving them!
-M
Great post, beautiful pictures. Makes one wanting to go to Korea :)