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| "Oma! I need a present too!" |
Many Korean cities host parades and activities, and
sometimes movie theatres offer free admission for children. Children might play
traditional games, such as yut-nori (yut), participate in taekwondo
demonstrations, or buy gifts at local stores. After their tiring outing, they
might return home for a nice meal of bulgogi, kimchi and rice with kim (seaweed),
or shellfish. Even in the United States, Korean cultural schools hold day-long
celebrations on this day.
I decided I wanted to see what was happening in my own
hometown. In the downtown area, there was a big hubbub surrounding some
canopies and speakers. Kids rushed everywhere to take in the fun activities the
community parents had planned. There were presents, balloon animals, and
speakers pumping out kpop music. When I arrived, Psy’s new single was playing.
Uhhh…
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| Hey, I'm a kid, too. Where's my bulgogi? |
I locked up my bike and got my shiny new ukulele-style guitar
from the give and take out of my backpack. I danced around and played a bit
while kids everywhere jumped around, mostly rushing to get their hands on the presents.
They took no notice of the crazy waygookin and his small magical instrument.
They just snacked on sweet treats and played with their parents, their wide smiles beaming and their laughter rippling through the drifting spring breeze.
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| Oma takes her little princess to look at pets. |
At the local Lottemart, families rushed around with their
kids, looking at pets, playing with musical instruments and buying shopping carts
full of toys. The place wasn’t abnormally busy for a Saturday. Just a bit more…
well, let’s just say, you don’t meet princesses in Lottemart every day.
My last stop was the local X-games skate and blade track.
Kids all around hit the track with their blades while halmoni and haraboji sat
and ate a nice Children’s Day meal. The words echoed through my head: “the
dignity of children and their need for love, care and respect.” As teachers, or
lovers of humanity in general, we cannot help but think of how important it is
for all of the children of the world to live
healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.
Happy Children’s Day, everybody.
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