CHERRY BLOSSOMS

This weekend we attempted to escape Korea's "bali bali" (translation: Hurry up!) lifestyle with a trip to the countryside with our friend Mrs. Shim, her husband, their two sons, her father and mother, and about ten other members of their extended family. But more on that once I've sorted through my photos. In the meantime, here's a few shots from when the cherry blossoms opened and fell last week. For some Koreans, the cherry blossoms are a painful reminder of subjugation by the Japanese, who planted them when they colonized Korea from 1910 to 1945. But to most--me now included--it's the most anticipated and most beautiful time of year.