Season Change

One interesting fact about Korea that is different from back home in Arizona is that here there are four seasons.  Sure I have heard multiple times that the spring and autumn season are becoming shorter the last couple of years, but either way they still do have these seasons.  This last week alone I have noticed a big change in the weather and for about a month it is noticeable in the surrounding nature.  The leaves have been falling off trees for some time now.  Not only falling off but also changing colors that are quite bright. 

This picture was taken in a city by the name of Asan.  On Saturday I planned on going hiking around Boryeong because I never did make it last weekend.  I was walking towards the small mountain when a friend of mine pulled up in his car and said he is going up to Asan if I want to join.  It is about a two and half drive up to the Northeast of Boryeong.  Our destination was this temple that is also known to have some good Fall colors.  It was a fun little adventure.  

Not only the trees give the hint that it has been autumn but the main give away is the weather.  A couple of nights ago it did get into freezing temperatures and it is only November.  The forecast in the next week or so has the average high somewhere in the mid-forties to the low-fifties.   While on the other hand the average lows is around low forties to the low thirties.  So if you are reading the Celsius scale that would put some of the numbers on some of the nights at 0 and below.  It is just beginning and probably will be a long cold winter here in Korea.  Definitely something new for me to experience.  No snow is in the forecast yet, but looking at past years, snow does start around November.  Then December is when the snow will actually stick around and not simply melt away right away.  Most likely January will bring most of the snow.

It is kind of funny seeing what the students are wearing at school already.  They all have on these big jackets.  The heat isn’t on yet and I don’t even know if we will ever get heat turned on in the classrooms.  Koreans are kind of strange with how they deal with the weather.  They will have windows wide open but at the same time multiple layers including a big jacket.  So typically if the windows are closed in the classroom then it will be a little bit warmer than out in the hallways which are all tile and cement.  This isn’t always the case and sometimes a window will be open.  It is kind of strange and doesn’t make much sense.     

I will report later when it does snow.  For now though the colors are nice to enjoy especially knowing it will eventually lead to a dead looking environment that is really cold.  This week has been a typical week at school with not that many changes.  I didn’t make it hiking two weeks ago because of playing football on Saturday and proceeding to hurt my ankle a little bit more.  This week I have been good and haven’t participated in any sports or strenuous activities on my ankle.  It hasn’t been easy and I can’t wait for next week when I will be giving myself the go ahead to start playing again.  Here are some more pictures of the scenery this time of the year.  I will write later.      

*Snow Update-I originally wrote this post over this past weekend but pictures weren't loading so I didn't post it right away.  Yesterday morning and even today there were traces of snowfall over the night.  A mountain close by does have a small dusting, even now after a whole day of sunshine/ cloud coverage.  

Trees by my school in Spring

Trees by my school in Summer

Trees by my school in Autumn