Lotus Lantern Festival

Two updates in one day?! What's going on? Who is this? Who am I? ....anyway, this weekend, I was in Seoul for the Lantern Festival. This was part of the festivities for Buddha's Birthday on Friday, which also means a day off school/work, woohoo!

Warning; picture-heavy post!

After Korean class, me and Sam went up to the Bongeunsa Temple, which is near the (flipping massive) COEX shopping mall. It was pretty quiet, maybe because it was near the heat of the day and it was utterly gorgeous out but people were also preparing for the parade later on.

There were so many lanterns up, it was difficult to get a photo of them all! We walked around the temple and it was lovely and tranquil. It really didn't feel like we were still in Seoul, which was nice as a breather from the city.

Curved roof of COEX in the background

We went briefly through COEX for a late lunch, then made our way to Jongro-3 station to meet with others. We quickly stopped by Tapgeol Park, and were handed some free lanterns by people outside!

Sydney and Hanneke showing off their lanterns

We all walked up to another park as well, and finally found somewhere to sit that was quieter to chill out until the parade started. Me, Sydney, Hanneke and Sam all got seats with a good view but my camera didn't manage to take that many good pictures in the end. 

I also thought I took many more pictures but apparently I was too busy watching, waving to the people walking along and feeling like a celebrity with the number of professional photographers who stopped and took our photo... I'd love to see some of those pictures!

Monks with pink lotus lanterns

Once the sun set, it was difficult to take any more decent shots. Most of the parade consisted of different organisations with matching lanterns; the majority were dressed in hanboks. Salmunori bands also walked along and provided some music and rhythm to the parade too!

Women in hanboks with various lanterns

Seeing hanboks in so many beautiful colours now makes me want to buy one myself, which is a little impractical. At the very least, I know I will have to go to one of the experience places soon where you can dress up in them and take photo's!

One more photo for luck;

Hanneke, me and Sam with the lanterns and flowers we were given.

To end on a slightly non-related note, the weather here has been so beautiful over the last week or two. It's become warm very quickly after a late spring and I can feel the humidity going up already. I like it so far, but worried how hot and humid it will be when summer actually arrives!