Updated: 2021 Cherry Blossom season is coming up and it is a beautiful and iconic time in Korea. There were festivals from the top to bottom and left to right of the country prior to the pandemic. We felt the pressure to race around the country to find the best festival with the best events. All of these festivals were awesome and PACKED! However, it’s not the festivals that make Cherry Blossoms time amazing. The blossoms themselves are the show stopper. Don’t feel too sad about the festivals being called off since beauty still exists around you in abundance. Who cares about a bunch of flowers on trees? We have actually heard this question a lot which seems kind of weird to us, however, the answer is simple: People who aren’t dead inside love cherry blossoms (the reason we “blog” and don’t “report” is so that we can be sassy pants at times like these). It’s true that your life might not be changed by cherry blossoms, but your day most certainly will be because everything feels a bit more magical. The areas across Korea with tons of cherry trees feel almost other-worldly. The sight makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting and it’s fun to walk the tree lined streets soaking up the beauty. Even if you have a slightly frozen soul, walking beneath the warm spring sun surrounded by the soft pink peddles will cause it to thaw at least a little. Do I really need to travel far and wide to enjoy a cherry blossom festival?  Absolutely not. When there is no pandemic, Pyeongtaek has a Cherry Blossom Festival that happens at Pyeongtaek University. During the pandemic, you can still go to this area to see the flowers even though there are no events. Although there aren’t a lot of sexy videos made about the festival and area, Pyeongtaek University is a lovely place to spend the day and it will be far less hectic than other places. Even with fewer people, remember that parking won’t be great and taking a bus from the AK Plaza area will be the easiest way to enjoy your time at the festival. The festival is usually held at the beginning of April. Pyeongtaek Cherry Blossom Festival Location The Pyeongtaek Cherry Blossom Festival did not occur during COVID and it’s usually announced about 7 days before the event. Pay attention to the Pyeongtaek Event announcements to learn more. ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 서동대로 3825AK Plaza to Pyeongtaek University Buses: 20, 21,15, 7-7, 94-1(Camp Humphreys readers, you can catch the 20 in Anjeongri/Paengseong and ride it all the way to Pyeongtaek University. With no festivals, does that mean I’m going to miss the cherry blossoms? You don’t have to go to a festival to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Here are a few drives, walks, and locations where you can check out the beauty without being bothered by the crowds.  Here are some awesome local spots to view the Cherry Blossoms in Pyeongtaek so you can avoid all the crowds. River Drive or Bike Ride Take a drive on (or a bike ride next to) the road that follows the river from Camp Humphreys to Anjung-eup. It’s lined with stunning cherry trees and feels quite magical. Be careful with biking as cars can be quite careless in this area. A bike path is available so choose that instead of riding on the road itself. START ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 오성면 창내이 Take a quick tour of this driving location with KimchiRednecks in the following YouTube video: Make sure to follow the KimchriRednecks on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for regular videos about life in the Korean countryside. Lake Drive There is also a recommended driving route in west Paenseong, Pyeongtaek that takes you over by the lake. Click here to see photos from the route. We grabbed the addresses of where to get started so you don’t have to figure out the map in the linked blog itself. One address is actually from a housing development…don’t turn in there! Stay on the main road and go west! START ADDRESS: 경기 평택시 계양로 516-12FINISH ADDRESS: 경기 평택시 계양로 624 University Campus in Ichung-dong, Pyeongtaek This lovely campus is situated on the edge of the city near some lovely hills. It’s covered in cherry blossoms in the spring. This isn’t far from Songtan so Osan Air Force Base folks might find it a nice place to visit. There are city buses that go here and plenty of parking for cars. LOCATION NAME: 국제대학교ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 장안웃길 56 People even visit from Seoul to see this beautiful street filled with cherry blossoms in Pyeongtaek. There are cafes, restaurants, and hiking trails nearby. You can see more about the are in the YouTube video below. Pyeongtaek River Walk: If you are in Pyeongtaek just head past Tong Bok market toward the river. The area is loaded with cherry blossoms and the river walk itself is beautifully developed. We are giving you an address that gets you to the area, and then you can just find the beauty around you. ADDRESS: 경기도 평택시 62-5 Cherry Blossoms Near Pyeongtaek In addition to many locations across Pyeongtaek-si (Most of the city is covered in cherry blossoms), you can also find many spectacular spots at nearby locations like Gakwonsa Temple. Keep in mind, traffic in Cheonan and other popular spots may be exceptionally bad during peak viewing times. What happens at a Cherry Blossom Festival? Well, obviously you take lots of pictures of yourself and the blossoms looking fabulous. You eat, maybe do some crafts, buy some pretty things, and generally do the classic festival things like live music and dance. However, honestly, it’s just about being outside in the spring weather and enjoying the majesty of nature. The other stuff doesn’t really matter. Any other things I shouldn’t miss during cherry blossom season? Oddly enough, don’t miss the Starbucks cherry blossom drinks offered during this time. They only come around once a year for a VERY short time and they are straight up awesome. The cherry blossom latte is my favorite for sure. I never miss it. They also have some spring time blends worth looking into. Whether you decide to go with a big festival or a lazy drive, just be sure to get out and enjoy yourselves this spring. If you are only here for a year, this is your chance to build a lovely memory. If you are staying for years, it’s the perfect annual tradition. More springtime activities in the Pyeongtaek area Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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TICKETS: 18,000 won roundtrip Sunday May 14th, 2017  Let’s get our feet dirty and celebrate the coming summer. South of Seoul;s and Bundang Social Club are teaming up to sponsor a bus to the Daejeon Barefoot Festival leaving from Jeongja Station at 7:50 AM and the back side of Pyeongtaek Station at 8:50AM. This is one of South of Seoul’s favorite spring events. The path is stunning and the mud delightful.  The festival has a great variety of fun activities, including traditional music, dancing, walking barefoot through tranquil mountains, fun performances, hand crafts, a 7km walk, and even a 13km “marathon!” This trip is not a tightly planned affair. You will be on your own during your time at the Festival. No one is telling you what to do or where to go. Just freely enjoy yourself and your time in the forest.  CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK EVENT HERE SIGN-UP FOR THE BUS HERE.

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CHECK OUT THIS YEARS MUDFEST VIDEO FROM ROK LIFE < CLICK HERE > After many years, I finally made it back for a little Mudfest drama.  Despite all the reasons I want to hate Mudfest, I love it.  In fact, I have found that the more someone doesn’t want to go, the more they seem to fall in love with it when they arrive.   Of course, in three years a lot has changed.  For example, there were actually clean people at the festival.  I have no idea how this happens, but it does.  They no longer have the endless mud tubs that they used to and it’s possible to go the entire day clean as a whistle – which is a little sad but understandable. A good change is that the festival has become much more integrated and, quite possibly, Koreans out numbering foreigners these days.  With this change has come better parking, increased beach use and improved overall services – but MUCH bitter crowds. Despite there being more people, the balance between local and visitor seems to actually help keep the foreigner drama down to a minimum and create a much more mellow dynamic. What has remained true through time is that a successfully Mudfest experience requires planning and attention to detail.  If you don’t get it right, you end up spending a lot of time standing in lines that could have been avoided.  Here is our system. Master Tips To Mudfest in a Day (For those driving) Leave Early:  You need to be out of Pyeongtaek by 7:30 am.   This will help you avoid traffic and find easy parking. Arrive Early:  Don’t mess around.   If you want parking get there by 9:00 a.m. Full stop. Buy Your Wristbands Immediately: Hesitation is for the weak. Go straight to the stand to get your wristbands for the game area  Don’t question this.  Once there is a line, this entire schedule is useless and you WANT to play some games. Go Straight to the Games: Don’t go look at stuff.   Get a game or two in first thing.  It’s worth it.  PRO TIP:  Don’t wait until you enter the area to take of your shoes.  Take your shoes off while you are inline and slide them under the rail so they are easy to access when you are done.   You don’t want to have to find your shoes in the pile of shoes later. Body Painting: If you want the colored mud leave after 1-2 games.   This takes FOREVER so get in line with friends and have a laugh.  Nobody is in a hurry so you shouldn’t be either.  Games, second round:  If you want to play more mud games, you have a second chance.  They are going to take a lunch break.  Pay attention to when this happens.  When it does, get in line 15-20 mins before the 1hr break ends.  This will give you the chance to do 1-2 more games before massive lines form. Going Home:  We usually leave around 5-6 pm.   Once again, this allows you to not get caught up in the massive amounts of cars trying to go home at the end of the day.  You DO NOT want to be caught up in this.  It is worse than your worst nightmare. What to take: What NOT to take: You’re handphone without a case. Things that can’t get dirty Jewelry (wedding bands, etc) Drinks in glass bottles  Judgmental attitude Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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