I used to sit by the Han River at the end of the day, trying to subdue my fear about the uncertain future. There were many questions and no answer. The belief that answers will eventually be revealed was not at all comforting. Now that I have lived through what was my 'future' previously, my best advice to my former self: you do not need courage, you do not need to be a person of courage, all you need is to face your fear head on.
This is the third spring after pandemic started and probably the last. Korea is going to further relax its pandemic control measures from May 1. After being away for a long time, I do not feel I am familiar with the place anymore. It would be nice to say distance breeds fondness but reality is the opposite. The further apart the less you have attachment to anything until nostalgia bites.
Changdeokgung Palace many springs ago (2015):
During lockdown when almost all activities came to a stop, nature quickly reclaimed its rightful space. Grasses and weeds were allowed time to grow tall and flower. The surrounding became so much more pleasant when green patches were carpeted by full bloom inflorescences swaying in the wind. Then grass-cutting resumed and everything was efficiently trimmed down and orderliness faithfully restored. The opposite of order is not strictly chaos; it can be nature, culture or anything that blooms. Everything can flourish if allowed time and space to grow.
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| 파리 길에서 둘러보다가 봤던 큰 벽화 하나 |
