In Korea Christmas is an official public holiday, because about 25-30% of Koreans are Christians. Other people than Christians also decorate their houses, and Koreans have many Christmas trees outside the houses, on the streets, near the shops... Everywhere.
Korean culture also knows the tradition of changing gifts, and the most popular present is money.
You can also see Santa Claus in Korea, but maybe he is sometimes wearing blue, and known by names 산타 클로스 (Santa Claus) or 산타 할아버지 (Santa Grandfather).
Ah, and the most common food during Christmas holidays is cake, often a sponge cake covered in cream. Sometimes also an ice cream cake!
메리 크리스마스!
Waiting for Christmas in Busan.
This beautiful narrow streets near the big streets full of people are so unique and fantastic.
All the decorations and lights make people to think about Christmas... Now I wanna buy presents for myself and put them under the tree!
Shopping for shoes as a gift to myself :D
Also Busan tower is ready for Christmas!
All the palm trees and other stuff that belongs to winter...
This hill was so beautiful during the winter. First of all the autumn leaves, and then all the lights :)
The downtown of Busan.
All the lights on the streets are so beautiful when look at them during the night from above.
Youngdusan park.
This place always cheers me up.
Dark evenings before Christmas.
It's nice to spend some time here admiring the park.
Streets and cafés of Busan looking so Christmassy and inviting.
These streets are so quiet and almost lyrical.
Paradise hotel and all their Christmas decorations.
Ah...
The best place for an evening walk is Haeundae beach. Anytime. Also during the winter, because mostly it's not too cold if you remember to wear a jacket.
So beautiful :)
An awesome view to Haeundae beach, Dongbaek island and Marine city.
Paradise hotel.
Haeundae beach before Christmas.
Usually it never snows in Busan. Never ever. During the winter 2012-2013 it was snowing not only once, but twice.
People at school were like small children when it was snowing :D
Release your inner 4-year-old!
The school pond was also attacked my some snowflakes.
The forest still has some really awesome autumn-ish colours!
School park covered in snow. For 5 minutes.
But at least we saw some snow! :)
...And then some sunshine melting the snow.
Christmas-penguins.
These were so cute!
Christmas-drinks.
Christmas at Shinsegae.
Some wine for Christmas?
Yes, thank you!
...Wine lessons :D
Street view in Busan right before Christmas.
More street view.
Oh how I love Christmas trees!
Palmtrees and Christmas!
Perfect combination.
Seomyon.
Still in Seomyon.
Street view close to my home in Bansong.
It's snowing!
This doesn't happen many times, so it's really cool!
"The snow is white so I can eat it, right?"
Finally got my hair dyed for Christmas!
And then getting ready for the Christmas-feeling.
We got the Christmas-feeling because it was snowing again!
Foggy evening before Christmas.
Snow is coming!
The snow actually stayed on the trees and on the roofs for a while!
Snow on the streets of Busan! O__O
Seeing snow on the streets.
This doesn't happen many times...
Woaaahhh <3
Koreans really know the value of good decorations!
This is like a wonderland :)
Gosh how I love those big trees covered with Christmas lights all over!
Some trees still have green leaves, but... It's actually so pretty :)
The beaches also look very Christmassy and fancy.
Searching for food at NC!
Well here we are again!
Ashley <3
Ommm...
Mmmmm...
Good food and good company :)
<3
Christmas morning.
...And Christmas evening.
Christmas-bamboos!
Smily-faces after the Christmas-lessons!
And then let's hit the city and get some good food again!
Ham!
Traditonal Christmas-food in Finland.
Cheesecake and waffles!
Not so traditional Christmas-food but always good.
Merry Christmas! <3
Then what about the New Year's Eve?
Koreans usually celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year, not so much the New Year's night that is between the end of December and beginning of January.
Korean New Year is called Seollal (설날).
It is the first day of the Lunar Calendar, and it means a lot to the Koreans, because it's one of the most important celebrations of the year. Seollal is usually celebrated on the day of the second new moon after winter solstice.
31st of December and 1st of January doesn't mean that much to Korean people. Just a beginning of another month and another year, but it's not really a holiday. Nevertheless, when I took a peek outside during the New Year's night at 00:00, some guy who was living above us yelled "Happy New Year". In English... :D
Yes, thank you unknown neighbour, you too!
Beautiful bright sky ends December 2012 <3
And look at all the snows!
Maybe it's invisible snow.
So nice winterday :)
Uhhh warm sunshine!
Thank you for melting all the snow!
...Not.
Yeah, so much snow here also.
Looks more like spring already.
Well, food is always good!
Frappuccinos <3
Shinsegae Department Store.
Here it still looks a bit like Christmas.
Especially after the sunset it's very nice :)
Yes. Casa Bella all over again <3
I'm loving this!
And this!
And this!
But Casa Bella's foods are the best!
Getting ready for the New Year!
...By studying Korean >__<
It was so cold in the classroom, so I'm used to studying Korean like this :D
Getting some celebratory food for the event.
Like sushi!
Sushi, I love you <3
Opening a bottle of tea like a boss.
NAILED IT!
Well... Did not get much tea for the evening then.
This cat was the first person to wish us happy new year!
LOL, so cute! Her baby-kittens also!
And yet another sunset-picture. 2012 had many beautiful sunsets, and I'm happy that I saw many of them from my window.
Thank you, year 2012 :)
I will remember you with warm thoughts.
And after the New Year we started waiting for the Chinese New Year, of course!
Coming soon! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment