Kalea Lucas

Hard to believe it’s already that time again. The days of sunny afternoons filled with a gentle breeze are long gone. Instead it’s the wind whipping at your face as you trek home in the dark abyss that is the 5pm hour. But it’s not all doom and gloom; in fact, fall and winter are some of the best times to enjoy Korea. The mountainous landscape surrounds you in autumnal beauty with lush leaves in all shades. My favorite this season as been the ginkgo tree or 은행나무. Seemingly overnight, its leaves produce an almost neon yellow that is absolutely stunning. We have them all around the school grounds and even at our local shrine. There’s a reason hiking is a national pastime here. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon- especially when you need somewhere to collect your thoughts.

If nature isn’t your cup of tea, rest assured there are an abundance of festivals to get you up and of the house. Similar to most of our home countries, fall and winter bring many historical changes such as the harvest and the coming of the new year that are cause for celebration. This year, I got to witness Jinju Fortress in all its glory, at the famed Namgang Lantern Festival or 남강유등축제. On any given day, the fortress and the riverside are a sight to behold, but for this event in particular, the city really does pull out all the stops. My friend said she saw them preparing as early as this spring in order to make sure the month-long spectacular went on without a hitch. We arrived around 6 or so and decided to try the local dish of choice- grilled eel! It can be quite expensive- dishes like these typically come in a minimum 2 person serving (2인). Lucky for us, it was well worth it. As we made our way to the festivities we noticed a hanbok rental shop so, of course, we had to snag one! It was about 15,000 won for an hour and a half and there were plenty of skirts and jackets to choose from. If you haven’t done so already I cannot recommend it enough. Hanboks are so beautiful and they really elevate the experience! You might hear, “waygookin ..waygookin” sprinkled in conversations of the surrounding festival goers but if you’re anything like me, you’ll assume it’s all good things.



Even the smallest of *boonie towns, such as the one I live in, have their own slice of the fall festival pie. One of the blessings of a rural area is that the more you go out the more familiar faces you start to recognize. It can be challenging to build a community while being so far away from loved ones, but the great part about our experience is that it doesn't have to be one of isolation. In fact, we have one of the widest communities right here with EPIK. I am so grateful for the connections I made during orientation that have blossomed into solid friendships. The holiday season is a great opportunity to take time and cherish those who have made your time here meaningful. It may not have all the bells and whistles of your favorite recipes back home, but some delivery fried chicken and last minute greens make the grandest of feasts when you can share them with others. Do keep in mind that celebrating doesn’t have to stay outside the classroom. Incorporating holidays into a lesson plan is a great way to connect and spark joy in those around you. Not to mention it can be quite nostalgic, too. As a teacher, I have a unique opportunity to be reintroduced to some of the aspects of the holiday season, such as crafts and cartoon specials, that made this time of year so special in my youth. We are not just educators, but cultural ambassadors as well. The cold may be bitter and the darkness rough- but if we stop and look a little closer- there will always be a bright opportunity waiting to warm the heart.