Winter is long gone, and spring has begun to settle in. One by one, the flowers are starting to bloom. Which means this will be one of our busiest months, chasing flower festivals, especially the canola fields, cherry blossom trees, and the royal azaleas on Mount Hallasan. Our once manageable routine will soon turn rather chaotic in the coming days.
Last week marked the peak of canola season in Jeju, and we found ourselves trying to balance work while still making time to travel and visit the places we had long wished to see, especially during this blooming season. However, aside from managing our time between work and travel, we encountered a small problem.
Our car, Going Merry, our trusted companion on the road, began to show signs of strain. The air conditioning had stopped working properly, and as the days grew noticeably warmer, sitting inside the car to work became increasingly uncomfortable. What should have been a simple, aesthetic moment turned into something far less pleasant.
So today, we made our way to a nearby car repair shop. Upon arrival, we were met with a queue of vehicles also waiting, and the owner advised us to return in an hour and a half.
With time to spare, we decided to drive around the area on a rainy day. Since we live nearby, we have already explored almost every corner, and there was nowhere new to visit, especially in such weather.
At first, we felt rather miserable, driving in the rain and simply waiting for time to pass. Yet the longer we stayed out, what we had initially regarded as an inconvenience slowly revealed its own quiet beauty. We realised it had been quite some time since we allowed ourselves to go out on a rainy day. We tend to avoid it, particularly when it does not suit the kind of photographs we hope to capture. And yet, spring rain carries a certain charm. It feels fresh, almost cleansing, settling gently into the landscape and complementing the blooming flowers in a way that is both soft and striking.
To be fair, we do love the rain. There is something about it that stirs childhood memories. The simple joy of playing in the rain, carefree and unbothered, seems to linger in moments like this. Setting nostalgia aside, we used our waiting time to revisit a few familiar places.
First, we made our way to Yakcheonsa Temple, a place we have visited several times before. By the time we arrived, the rain had grown heavier, almost relentless. We only had one umbrella, so we ended up getting wet. It was difficult to fully take in the surroundings, and we soon retreated back to the car.
From there, we continued to drive aimlessly, eventually stopping by the nearby seaside. To our surprise, despite the weather, there were still people out on the water, riding jet skis as though the rain made no difference at all. Quite impressive, really.
Not long after, we found ourselves in need of a bathroom and decided to head towards International Convention Center Jeju. We lingered nearby, careful not to stray too far, mindful of both time and fuel.
After about an hour and fifteen minutes, we returned to the repair shop. Thankfully, there was a small waiting area where we could sit while the car was being fixed. Outside, the rain continued without pause, steady and unyielding.
Once our Going Merry was ready, we headed straight home. There seemed little reason to wander further in such weather. With rain expected to continue over the next few days, it appears we will be staying in, working from home in warmth and comfort.
Still, we find ourselves quietly hoping for clearer skies soon. The cherry blossoms are on the verge of blooming, and we are eager to witness their arrival this spring.
