Spring has sprung in Korea!

Spring literally happened overnight. Finally. It's like everything just suddely woke up out of their deep Winter slumber. On my walk to school I could see the first signs of budding on the trees and by mid-afternoon, some trees were exploding with white flowery clumps. I remember as a child sitting next to one of mom's Hollyhocks and waiting patiently for one of them to blossom. I think I must have sat there for at least 4 hours but I can now say with great satisfaction that I have been a witness to a Hollyhock flower open it's petals (I realize this moment is likely to be underwhelming and unimpressive to most, however I thought it was pretty freakin' GREAT) . Flowers have an amazing ability to make people smile and just downright friendlier.

The Cherry Blossoms bloom just once a year around this time. Last weekend we joined thousands of others to marvel at this once-in-a-year phenomenon in Seoul. Here are a few hilights of the festival.