Overwhelmed by Beauty

This weekend our suite went on a school-sponsored field trip to Suncheon in the tip of South-West South Korea. It was a fun-filled 29 hours in which we got to watch the sun set over a field of silver reeds and wild flowers, behind a winding river and impressive mountains. We took 100's of pictures in a wonderland of lights that included Leo, a tree-sized mushroom, Peter Pan and Cinderella, swans, and countless hearts...Spent the night eating, drinking, talking, laughing, and sleeping in a traditional guesthouse...wandered around a traditional village from the Choson Dynasty era in which we learned to twist straw ropes, sift rice, inflict punishments and torture, wear a Hanbok, and unsuccessfully play a traditional Korean instrument...Not to mention 13 people in a 12-seater van for an 8-hour road trip through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. And great food.

It was a great chance to bond with my suite mates, some of whom I rarely see, and most of whom I don't get much time to talk with. It was also incredible to just drive across Korea - when will I ever get a chance to do that again? Walking around the traditional village was oddly reminiscent of my Senior trip to Williamsburg Virginia... So different, but so...similar. But overall, I was completely overwhelmed by one thing: the stunning beauty that abounded everywhere!

Everywhere!

>> The road through the mountains was half tunnels, and each tunnel had a design painted around the entrance - most having their own unique design.
>> The bridge supports were painted, and some were even made into graceful shapes - made out of concrete.
>> Cities are strewn with flowers - along side the roads, in the shops, on the signs, and even reflected in shapes and emblems of lights, guard rails, and flags.
>> Huge flat valleys are surrounded by craggy, but tree-covered mountains.
>> Roofs, gutters, and eves designed to be either impressive or calming and painted brilliantly.
>> Trash cans are decorated.
>> People always make sure they look perfect. Not because they think there is something wrong with the "natural look," but because there is an expectation, a cultural standard of beauty and everyone strives to reach it. Even if it means 100,000 of Won and hours each day.
>> You can constantly find people - hired by the government - along every road: sweeping and cleaning up trash or tending to the gardens along many of the roads.

The natural beauty of the mountains and the ocean are perfectly complimented by the flowers that are grown in every possible location. The buildings are meant to be aesthetically pleasing - not just functional. Those fans that we find so beautiful, intricate, and collectible? Well they use them here, that is their means of air conditioning in the subway or standing in line at E-Mart. Everywhere you look you see people with cute and colorful umbrellas, creative phone cases, pretty notebooks, and to even begin describing the outfits would be a post to itself!

Korea may or may not be the most beautiful place I have ever been, but the Korean people, with their love for beauty, and their eye for cultivating it, have made their country into a wonderland of delightful sights. I wish I could capture every little pretty thing I see just to keep it with me and share it with others, but there's too much! All I can do is look around and marvel. It is truly overwhelming.