XXXIII. Gimje Horizon Festival - 10.3.09

Gimje, the land of the horizon.

Around Seoul, it is pretty mountainous, with fairly challenging trails that are great to hit up around fall. However, Gimje, my mother's hometown, is completely flat- which is great for growing rice. To celebrate a good harvest and beautiful countryside, there is a festival held called "Gimje Horizon Festival." The following weekend after Chuseok, I revisited my relatives to attend the festival.

I didn't know much about my uncle as a photographer, but it was fun to follow him around while he captured moments and conversed with the locals. He had a little exhibition in one of buildings, so I was able to see his work and talk about art. It was seriously one of the coolest moments I've had in Korea. Talking about creative things with my Korean uncle.

I love things like this = such a nerd :]

Turkish ice cream. So random.

Basically, this is what happened:

-Ate a LOT of yummy food.

-Didn't sleep.

-Hung out with my uncle and aunt a ton

-Was interviewed by Arirang (oh the wonders of being part caucasian)

-Made a lot of crafts. Multiple times.

-Saw fireworks.

-Hung out with my mom's baby sister and her kids. I'm so in love with them!

-Free stuff.

-Met a great-aunt for the first time.

-Learned how to make silk.

-Had a heart to heart with my cousin, Jihae.

I'm incredibly thankful for my relatives.

The white and blue dragon keep the peace

by maintaining the balance between good and evil.

On the last night, I experienced "ganggangsullae," an awesome surprise after my students had been telling me so much about it in class. It's a traditionally female dance, now enjoyed by everyone, celebrating the brightest full moon of the year. Everyone holds hands in a circle and sings/chants "강강술래". As my aunt was telling me, not only does it symbolize the harvest moon but also unity and peace by joining as one heart.

Sadly, I wasn't brave enough at the time to jump in, but it was really heartwarming to see entire families holding hands and singing, promising each other to keep the bond of unity. No wonder families in Korea are so close. Who wouldn't be after such vulnerability ;}

Anyways, I keep missing weekends in Seoul and at Jubilee, but I don't mind. These moments with my relatives are few and far between. I count them as precious.