Weekend (April 24-26) -- III

As I arrived at the location of the Lantern Parade at 6:40 p.m. Sunday evening, it was drizzling a bit. Always prepared, I whipped out a plastic poncho to put on the seat (rows of plastic chairs were set up for blocks along the parade route), sat down, put up my umbrella, and, holding umbrella in one hand and magazine in the other, read for the time until the parade started. One could hear the parade before one saw it since, not police cars with sirens, but the poongmulnori group I'd seen performing earlier was at the beginning.

By this time (about 7:10 p.m.) the rain had stopped. It was chilly, though; I was glad I'd put the winter lining back in my coat and had on a wool sweater.

The parade was great fun. It was scheduled to go on until 9 p.m. and may actually have gone on longer. I finally left about 8:30, tired and thinking I should do some studying for Monday's test. (I didn't do more than think about it, though. Instead watched a little TV and went to bed.) The parade was a strange, but interesting and delightful, combination of elements.













There were religious aspects with Buddhist monks leading a number of the groups (which I think may have been representative of individual temples).

There were aspects of a drum line or flag performers as beautifully-dressed women performed choreographed routines as they walked along.



There were elements of a Homecoming Parade or frat party as groups from colleges seemed to be celebrating the rites of spring more than Buddha's birthday. And there were a few delegations from other countries -- I assume people from those countries currently living in Korea, as these folk from Sri Lanka. .
There were amazing lighted floats, reminiscent of a Disney World night parade. They ranged from amazingly beautiful to somewhat ridiculous. This Buddha figure actually bowed while moving along the street.
And then there were groups of just people, perhaps organized by temple or some other affiliation, walking along, some with families, enjoying being part of a parade. That aspect felt rather like the St. Paul St. Patrick's Day parade, minus the beer! Some had come prepared for rainy weather.

And, of course, all had lanterns -- in an amazing array of sizes and types.

It was a truly wonderful event that I'm very glad I was here to see. Great fun!