Spring is here!

This week, my side of Daegu exploded into bloom. The change was nearly instantaneous, and now we have colorful blossoms everywhere. There are a few different flowing trees and shrubs that have come into bloom, but all are overshadowed by the cherry blossoms, which decorate out neighborhood. The ethereal blooms have brought tourists, along with all of the crowds and traffic that people who live in tourist destinations always complain about. For the first time, I live in a tourist destination, albeit a seasonal one.

Asians are fanatical about cherry blossoms, and the whole area has a festival atmosphere. We took a wrong turn coming back from dinner yesterday and ended up in stop and go traffic around Susong lake, which is surrounded by cherry trees. There was live music and tons of people walking the paths. I understand the excitement a little. Rows of cherry trees in full bloom is an otherworldy sight, they smell wonderful, and winter is long here. Seeing the end is a relief. Of course, it's cold and windy today, but the thermometer has been pushing 70 some days.

I was up on the mountain when I saw two old ladies wandering off the path to look at these purple flowering trees. I know more about mechanics than I do botany—that is, less than nothing—but there were purple flowering trees all over the mountain, especially at higher altitudes. On a side note, old people are incredibly fit here. Those mountain paths are no cakewalk.



Our street













Facing the other direction. Cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see.