Voila! The festive season is upon us once more! This is to be my first Christmas away from home, and although I miss my family and friends tremendously, I am also curious to see what it is like to celebrate the holiday in a foreign country. On an individual level, Koreans don't seem to make too much of a big deal out of Christmas. They don't decorate their homes like we do in the States, and the 25th itself functions more as a "couples day" than a family event. Those of the population who are Christian do attend church on that day, but everyone I have spoken to seems to realize that it is not the actual date of Christ's birthday, but rather a date when we remember that occasion. In the commercial realm, however, Christmas sparkles and twinkles like the North Pole moved here while no one was looking. The shopping districts are ablaze with lights and music, bright colors, and fancy treats. Just check out the photos:
Update: January 22, 2012
It's been 28 days since Christmas, and it's like the holiday never left the Land of the Morning Calm. Apparently businesses believe in getting the most out of their decorations here. In America, the day after Christmas it already looks like Valentines day, complete with some kiosks displaying necessary merchandise for celebrating the New Year en route. The following photos were taken within the last couple of days.
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