Hola!… I mean, 안녕하세요!!!

My apologies for a month of silence. After my summer vacation at the beach and Seoul, I jumped right back into work and my daily life in Daegu.

Life in South Korea now feels normal. Wake up, get ready for work, put on a mask, work, come home, sleep, repeat. My “I cant believe I am living in South Korea!!” moments are occurring less and less. I see this as a good thing, but it does mean I am writing less and less to you, dear readers! 미안해요 (me-an-eyo.. I’m sorry)

Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving

Chuseok is a harvest festival that is scheduled according to the lunar calendar: the 15th day, of the 8th month. This year, Chuseok landed on October 1st. As it is every year, you could see the full moon while eating dinner with your family. The schools close for three days, just like we do in the U.S.

Korean tradition for Chuseok generally includes returning to your father’s hometown and performing ancestral rites. Like the familiar US Thanksgiving, Chuseok is a very big holiday in Korea. It is for family, and presents can be exchanged. The holiday is not complete without rice cakes – 송편 (songpyeon).

This year, due to Coronavirus, many Korean families did not travel. My students were disappointed, saying they were bored staying at home.

I took advantage of my days off to explore new places. Below are pictures of the sights!

Wearing the Hanbok

As I enjoyed my free time, I decided to try the hanbok – the traditional dress of Korea.

The dress fits as a loose empire waist, with a hoop skirt added beneath. This piece is called the chima. I believe the more traditional hanbok chima was a skirt, rather than a dress. It is layered with a conservative, yet flattering and short jacket that crosses in the front. It is called a jeogori.

Fall has arrived!!!

If you know me well, you know I love the fall. The cooler air puts a bigger smile on my masked face and a spring in my step. The leaves are slowly changing to their vibrant autumnal colors, but with all the pine trees, the fiery tints have not taken over the mountains yet.

With the cool air, I am taking longer and longer walks after school ends, enjoying the views of the mountains, villages, and the farm land. Although the colors are still a vibrant green, I will end this post with the views I have come across.

I wish you warmth, happiness, and lots of laughter over the next weeks!