First day of Spring at Oryukdo, Busan

The thing I love most about Spring, is that every Spring feels like the first Spring. It feels like a discovery, a revelation, and a homecoming. Especially in Korea, where the rains come in early summer rather than May, and everyone waits with anticipation for the cherry blossoms to come alive again. There is even a cherry blossom forecast here–it’s pretty amazing. But Spring is also fleeting, as are the cherry blossoms, and every year I find myself wishing I could make time stand still, every March 21st. It’s that feeling that I live for every year, that makes parts of me awaken that I had long forgotten throughout winter. I become whole again.

I’m actually sad more often in Spring, because I spend too much time contemplating the impermanence of cherry blossoms, of warm, sunny days, of my time in Korea, of my life, everything. Yeah, what a bummer, right? Well NOT this year!! I’ve been consciously practicing living in the moment, through meditations and mantras I find helpful to center myself throughout the day.

So in that spirit, this year, on the first day of Spring, we made the hour drive to the southern coast of Busan to see Oryukdo, a series of rock islands that change in number with the tides. They can be seen from the mainland, or if you’re in the sea-faring mood you can catch a ferry from Mipo terminal on Haeundae beach.

We opted to check out the view from the mainland, and my first glimpse was from the car window as we parked behind a long line of cars leading down to the viewing area. We were clearly not the only ones with the same idea, as lines of tour buses and hordes of selfie sticks came into view.

The sun was shining, the ocean breeze blowing, it was the perfect spring day. To see more of what we saw and did there, check out the video! Since starting this post, it has rained for over a week! So if the weather is as dreary where you are, I hope this is a bright spot in your day! Get outside and explore the world you’re in!