Focus On… Busan
I finally did it. I went to Busan. Though it wasn’t the “Train to Busan” experience that many others have had. I opted for the “Plane to Busan” because I’d rather avoid some mysterious zombie virus and … it ended up working with my class schedule.
Busan is a coastal city in the south east that many tourists flock to and now I see why. It’s famous for the movie, “Train to Busan '' and for hosting the Busan International Film Festival. Upon arriving, the contrast between the steep mountain peaks and coastal wetlands were immediately recognizable.
We had a jammed packed schedule for our weekend in Busan. After checking into the hostel, we explored some of Busan on foot trying to quell the explorer within all of us.
Even the most daring explorers get hungry so we had some bingsoo. It’s a Korean shaved ice dessert usually served with your choice of toppings. I’m a chocolate lover if you couldn’t tell.
Bright and early the next day Gamcheon Cultural Village was up next and worth the hike. The amount of steps I climbed had my calf on the brink of collapse. Although, the companions I had along the way made it all the more bearable.
That evening as we recovered from the day's adventures, we sat around in a campfire-like fashion and began talking to one another. As if we’d been slowly preparing for this conversation, it happened. I wanted to know how people viewed one another and said, “Let’s go around and take turns describing each person with one word and why.”What was at first a game filled with chuckles, gradually became an intentional conversation that had taken our group dynamic to a place it had never been before. People were open, honest and raw about how they felt about one another. Words like campfire, sharp, bold, free-spirit, and inquisitive filled the space. It felt was as if all the world had faded away and the only people who existed were those in our bubble speaking. We ended the night with a newfound appreciation for one another. An appreciation for the vulnerability, honesty and words of affirmation used that evening. With relationships, you sometimes wonder how people perceive you and how exactly the relationship is viewed mutually. It isn’t something that needs to be talked about often but when you hear the auditory affirmation that a relationship or particular experience holds value it strengthens the existing bond between individuals.
That night it was like none of us wished to drift off to bed. ‘Twas as if, once the night faded, a conversation like this would likely never occur again. However isn’t that the best part of them, you appreciate it so much more when it’s infrequent. Eventually we gave into the desire to sleep and awoke bright and early for our next adventure
Haedong Yonggung Temple is famous for its seaside location and stunning beauty. Going to this temple for the second time put me in a reflective state. Being over the halfway point of the semester, has reminded me that I should soak in as much as possible. We then headed to the coast for a beach day and moments like that are priceless. From burying one of my bros in the sand to feeling the frigid ocean water surround my toes, I’m grateful. Grateful that my semester has unfolded as it did.
I don’t think any of us expected Busan to further push our level of openness and candor. I surely didn’t, but I’m so glad it did. As these moments become etched in my memory, I’ll treasure hearing the words people used to describe me and sharing my intentional thoughts about how I feel with other people. Entering the last leg of the semester, I’m reminded to truly feel every moment for what it is.
