It's been one of my wishes to see the cherry blossoms. The original plan was to go to Japan in April since cherry blossoms are in full bloom during springtime. Unfortunately, flights are really expensive, like 35,000 pesos expensive. So, that's a bit of an issue since I don't have a lot to spend just on airfare. I'm a budget traveler so I'd prefer to spend on the experiences and food on the actual trip.
So, with that bump to the plan, we opted to find another option. And voila, I found that it's cheaper to go to Seoul. Best of all, they have cherry blossoms too and they are in full bloom also in April. So, we started looking for the best priced flights and finally booked our tickets to Seoul via Incheon. We booked our tickets on two different airlines since we would be saving more. We also used our memberships discounts and points to pay for our luggage. We saved a few pesos which is already a big difference. Our two-way airfare was about 10,000 pesos and that's way too reasonable already. And take note, we booked our flights in November 2018 for our planned trip last April 6 to 11, 2019. That's about six months in advanced.
On Monday, April 8, 2019, we finally had our first glimpse of the famed and most sought after cherry blossoms. But here's a story first. We went to Nami Island the day before, a Sunday, hoping to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. And surprise, surprise...not one bloom or flower can be seen. Nami Island is colorless except for the green pine trees. But all other trees and plants seemed to be still in Winter mood. It seemed like they're still hibernating, if plants do hibernate. The place felt so desolate in browns and grays. I was disappointed. But then again, we can't lose heart on our first day in Korea, right?
So, the next day, we head out to Yeouido Park. It's one of the popular places where cherry blossoms can be seen in Seoul. And surprise, surprise again...they're there all right but not in full bloom yet. But then, we can't be too gloomy. They are beautiful but not as many or as overwhelming as I saw them in the pictures. I wasn't amazed with my first sight of the cherry blossoms in Yeouido Park. But nevertheless, we took pictures after pictures fearing this might be our only chance of seeing the cherry blossoms. So, here are some of the pictures we took.
Well, that's not too bad, right? It wasn't really, but I was hoping to be amazed. Sadly, I wasn't. It was not enough for me. I was expecting more. So, the next day, Tuesday, April 8, 2019, our itinerary was to go to Lotte World. We know that a lake surrounds the theme park and it's called Seokchon Lake. Apparently, they too have cherry blossoms there. So, the plan was to go there before Lotte World opens and take pictures. We weren't expecting so much because we didn't want our hearts broken again.
Lo and behold! The whole lake is surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom. The pavement is peppered with white petals that have fallen off from the branches. Each side of the walkway is lined with cherry blossoms. I was speechless. This is the experience I have been looking for. This is what I wanted to see. A truly amazing experience and one I can truly check off my bucket list. Yes, from that moment, I was ready for all other things to happen, even if they're not going to be nice because I think I had my fill of the best experience. It's like I have more than enough anesthesia to store for the aches and disappointments to come. That was how I was feeling. It was surreal. Finally, I have touched and felt these ever praised cherry blossoms which only bloom in spring and they shed their flowers after a week. They don't last forever. The same could be said for some good things in life that never last. And I guess, that's why these tiny flowers are so sought after because they're so beautiful and they don't last for long. You have to savor the experience basking in their beauty. And that's what makes the experience unique because it's fleeting. It's not a daily occurrence. The same is true with everything in life. You cherish each moment because it may never happen again. You'll have to wait a whole year to see these flowers bloom again. And who knows where we will be in a year?
Seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom was an emotional experience for me. In fact, while writing this post, I got teary-eyed reliving the experience. It was truly one for the books. An experience that I would carry with me for the rest of my life. Why am I being emotional over some tiny pink and white flowers? And I don't even like pink. I actually hate pink but I didn't even think of that. It never came to mind. I just basked in the luxury of being under the canopy of these delicate flowers and imagined myself being blanketed in beauty and the wonder of nature. I felt invincible, if only for a moment. It was like nothing can hurt me now. Bring it on!
So, I was being emotional because the past three years or so haven't been what I wanted. It was actually very hard and I think those were the darkest part of my life. I'm not exaggerating. It truly was a very difficult and desolate time for me. I had very very dark thoughts and I came very very close to giving up on life and everything.
To finally travel again, which is one of my passions, is a great blessing. I thought that I would never be able to afford to travel abroad again and experience the high of experiencing something new and learning about a country's culture and history first hand. Walking under the extended branches with the cherry blossoms in full glory was like a reminder to me that I can never give up. That I should always try to look at things differently or with a new perspective. Even how desperate a situation is, I should try to think that it's not always going to be my situation. It's not permanent. Everything will surely turn positive once it's gone worst. It had nowhere else to go but turn all right, right?
With this surreal and unbelievable experience, I think fate or whoever has turned my world so dark has more than made up for it. I am just so thankful that I have experienced this in this lifetime. I am humbled and I will continue to be positive in spite of everything. As I recall, this is one of the fruits of my good thoughts. I remember there were government officials doing a survey around our barangay and the questions were about the prices, employment, inflation, etc. Some of the questions were if people see the situations changing for the worse or for the better. The government employee commented that my answers were always hopeful. That I was optimistic that things will be better. And I answered that they should be. We can't think that things will get worse because they probably will. Indeed, the mind is so powerful. I started with that thought and never let go. Things will get better and I worked hard to get them better. I prayed harder too. So, the cherry blossoms represent that for me. That it always pays to be positive. No matter how absolutely down or desperate the situation is, never lose hope. I know it's so cliche but it always works.
So, even when it was around six degrees Celsius while we were walking and feasting our senses with the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the sky was a bit gray, it didn't matter. Even if it felt like it was still winter in Seoul instead of spring, it didn't matter. What matters was in that moment, my insides were warm because my heart felt so huge it felt like bursting out of my chest because it was filled with overwhelming happiness and pure joy. And yes, all because of those tiny and delicate pink flowers whose lifespan is only a week.
As I have said, I will forever treasure this moment. This trip to Seoul has been one of my best trips.
So long Korea. I will be back. Thank your for the wonderful experiences. Kamsamhamnida!
How about you? Have you seen the cherry blossoms? Share your experiences too.
Coming up...more posts on our South Korea trip. Stay tuned.
