Yeouido Park

This past Saturday, Jarrod and I, along with millions of other Seoulites, decided to get out and see the Cherry blossoms in their full glory - during the Cherry Blossom Festival.  It seemed like a good idea - and ended up not being a BAD idea.. but lesson #1 learned, any time there is a festival to draw Koreans and foreigners alike to one location, go somewhere else! Anywhere else! 

We knew from the moment we tried to get on the subway that it was going to be a crazy day.  The train was packed so full Jarrod and I couldn't get in the same door.  So from opposite ends of the same car, I looked for my caucasian husband through an incredibly thick crowd of Koreans to make sure we got off at the same stop. Really, though, there shouldn't have been a question about when to get off... since everyone got off at the same stop. And from that moment, we inched our way up stairs and down hall ways to get outside and glimpse the flowering wonders. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the crowds, but we had a zoom lens on the camera and it would have been difficult to truly show the masses.  

When we made it up to the street, we realized that the majority of the cherry blossoms were across the street at Hangang Park (the park along the river). But this is also where the masses were inching along, so we decided to follow our chosen course to Yeouido Park - at least we could walk at a normal speed. But honestly, we didn't really know where we were supposed to be going to see these cherry blossoms.  Lesson #2, try to find out as much as possible about where you are going before you get there.  It will avoid a lot of walking, as well as minor frustrations.  

We did walk to Yeouido Park, which was lovely (despite the fact that almost every spot of grass and all of the shade was full of people) - but had very few cherry trees blooming.  Apparently, the main walkway covered in trees and blossoms is along the river... hence all the people.  So, after walking through the park, and around a couple blocks, we never really made it to the cherry blossoms. Once we finally got close to the river again, we were so tired - and Marc was so tired (Lesson #3 - don't try to go out during Marc's afternoon nap! He will not be fun.) and we really didn't have the energy to join the masses,  so we decided to take a taxi home. It was a great decision, and Marc slept all the way.

Ok- so even with all of the lessons learned - we really did have a nice afternoon out.  I mean, we were Outside. in Nature. and Grass. Marc did not like riding in his stroller - or being out. Until we got to the grass. Which he loved.  We were able to see some cherry blossoms up close, which looked beautiful and smelled sweet. And Marc got a balloon. Which he loved. And EVEN road in his stroller since he got to hold the lovely balloon.  And so we have lesson #4, to delight in the small joys along the way, it makes ALL the difference!

Now for the pictures. Which is really why you came to the blog, anyway. :)

 Marc was so excited to find a ball...

 ....next time we need to bring one with us! :)

So was the day a success?  Well, not in the way we initially intended - but for a family outing, I would say: most definitely, yes!  We are loving the warmer weather and looking forward to more outside, grassy adventures.   

May you find the small joys in your day - and hold them close as you continue on your way.