Too Early for Yellow Dust BUT Never Too Early for Plum Blossoms

Saw this photo in the JoongAng Daily with the following caption:
"Pedestrians cover their mouths with mufflers on Mount Paldal in Suwon, Gyeonggi, to avoid the yellow dust that blew into the country for the first time this year yesterday."  [NEWSIS]

Isn't it too early for the yellow dust which I thought was synonymous with spring? After all, January isn't even over yet. Then again, the plum blossoms are already out in Japan. See the pretty in pink pic below.
Can anybody tell me when plum blossoms usually appear in South Korea?

Photo credit: AP

source:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2915785
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2915846

Ondols for the Highways???

Hardy Walkers Making Their Way Up A Winter Wonderland, Mudeung-san near Gwangju

Are these brave or reckless souls? Don't know whether to envy them or shake my head in perplexity as they prefer to contend with the frigid temperatures instead of staying indoors and enjoying the comforts of an ondol.

Back in the city and highways, drivers can look forward to fewer traffic snarls induced by snowstorms in the near future as geo-thermal technology will be used to prevent snow from building up on roads. The Korea Expressway Corporation plans to install pipes 5 cm below the surface of roads which will have heated water coursing through them.

Sounds very much like the ondol system! What will they think of next???

source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Sc_detail.htm?No=69652
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14239¤t_page=
 
 

Sweeper's Bitter Labour Is Child's Innocent Delight Is Soldier's Masochistic Test Of Machismo?

Love or dread the snows of winter ?

Sorry for pointing out the banal obvious but

it's all a matter of context and perspective, isn't it?

Pic from Chosun Ilbo ( Jan 5, 2010)

Army special forces are in training on Mount Hwangbyeong in Gangwon Province on January 8, when the mercury fell below minus 20 degrees Celsius. ( Pic from Yonhap News, caption from KBS World )

I get it that someone's gotta shovel the snow while others can frolic in their winter wonderland but conducting snow drills in sub-zero temperatures is character or morale- building ???? Somebody please explain the rationale to me.

See related posting for autumn.

sources:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14211

'Tis The Season to Go Sliding Down Snowy Slopes With Teddy

Wishing I was there right now -  I can only imagine the comforting warmth of the woollen mittens and scarves, the biting winds, the screams and giggles of delight, the tightening grip of your friend's hand on your own, the sheer joy of speeding down a snowy slope with your buddies and the long trek up for another ride down.

Source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14107

Just How Cold Was It In Seoul Last Night? - Cold Snapped in Seoul, Part 2

Answer:
So cold that an artificial waterfall outside the Seocho District Office in Seoul turned into a frozen beauty. Temperatures dropped to the lowest for this year so far - minus 9 degrees Celsius (15.8 degrees Fahrenheit). I'd like to visit Korea in winter for the seasonal experience but I suspect that I'd be glued to the ondol, too chicken to venture out. Avid photographers who dare brave the chill and icy winds for great pictures may want to snap similar pictures of frozen waterfalls in Korea's many national parks now before the ice starts to melt.

[ Credit: YONHAP]

For Snapped in Seoul, Part 1, click here.

source:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914098

'Tis the Season To Be Creative, Winter in Korea, Part 2

 Everland penguins get into the Xmas spirit

It's not enough to go fishing in winter.
One should also go sledding in a fish!

Innovative Sled Contest in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province

How long did it take to create this frozen Namdaemun?

Serious ice sculpting in winter

sources & pic credit: Yonhap News
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=11949¤t_page=19

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=3905¤t_page=100
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=9892¤t_page=39

'Tis The Season To Be Generous, Winter In Korea, Part 1

This may be commonplace in countries in the West and some Asian countries, but it's striking for me to see how far Koreans have embraced the Xmas traditions and incorporated them into their community and fund-raising events. Winter seems to be an important time for some serious fun in fund-raising activities.

Santa Marathon ( actually 3 km only) in Olympic Park,  2007.

The event  included the participation of 50 hearing and disabled people.

Sidenote: if the Santa coats and caps are produced within the country (instead of being made in China), I can imagine someone in Korea saying "Ho, ho, ho" all the way to the bank.

Good to start them young - children donating their piggy bank savings to charity.

Buy a bauble to pen your Christmas wishes while helping the disabled.

 Maronnier Park Hope 2008 Sharing Campaign
Credit: KBS WORLD / Jang Jin-kyoung

Sources:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=13985
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=9771¤t_page=40
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=9612¤t_page=42

One Man's Photo Opportunity is Another Man's Dreaded Labour

"I HATE maple leaves!", a Korean friend declared emphatically sometime back while we were talking about autumn. Turns out while doing his national service, he was given the task of sweeping the grounds of his barracks. Apparently there were a number of maple trees there that shed their leaves with scant concern for his never-ending labours. One person's delight in autumnal foliage is another's dreaded daily grind. Just one example of the Ying-Yang tension (or is it balance?) of life in Korea, I guess. Or is it a case of too much of a good thing? Love maple and ginkgo leaves but I certainly wouldn't want to be in this gentleman's shoes. Still remember grumbling each time I had to sweep the fallen leaves from the mango tree in our tiny garden.

Credits:
Yonhap News
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=13878

A Grand Ole Halbeoji of A Tree in Hwaeomsa

Wooden temples and stone architecture aren't the only things in Hwaeomsa that can get your attention. Found this lovely old pine on the temple grounds and spent some time under its comforting shade. Love its height, texture,  the radiating pattern of its branches and especially the thought that it's been around for a long, long while.

Dear Bloggers in Korea, Can I Get Some Foliage Reports?

Is global warming quickening the extinction of Maple Korea?  Am confused and worried.

Credit: Yonhap News

The glorious picture of autumn  above was featured on the 27th October this year. Then on the 2nd November, KBS features the scene below. Both shots were taken in Gangwondo.

Credit: Yonhap News

On November 2, KBS reported that the first cold wave alert was issued for certain parts of the country. It looked as if an early winter has descended on Korea. The following day, I read this:
"The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecasts warmer weather than years past, with mild temperatures continuing through early December."

What gives? Are autumns in Korea getting shorter and shorter?  A friend who's in Japan told me that the leaves are just turning brown before they drop off while in other places, trees are already bare. As a tourist from a non-temperate country and who loves going to see the autumn foliage in Korea's  many national parks, the prospect is ALARMING.

Would really appreciate it if any blogger who lives in Korea can let me know if the maple foliage is still enjoying a fairly long shelf-life.

Dog Minds The Store? - Snapped in Seoul

Is the pooch...

A. minding the store ?
B. warning us to stay away from his Mentos ?
C. checking out another cute doggie on the street ?

Here's a sight I couldn't resist taking - not a typical sight on the streets of Seoul but for a great video and more information for dog-lovers who happen to be in Seoul, check Matt Kelley's article on pet cafes here. ( See 6 June 09 entry)