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[잉그리드의 전주살이-번역본] Happy Lunar New Year

기사 작성: 최수희 번역작가 - 2016.02.04 19:06

In Korea we celebrate the Solar New Year and the Lunar New Year but in Canada only some cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year. No one gets the day off but I know many would like an extra holiday. Because the Lunar New Year celebration happens during my vacation it doesn't make much difference to me. The only reason I have any interest in it is because it is important to my Korean friends. I find the crowds at stores and the movies kind of annoying, as is the lack of parking. I had to park a kilometer away from my house once. Mostly I try not to go out during the holiday because of the heavy traffic.It is irritating to live in town but take two to four times longer to go somewhere in town just because of the volume of traffic. And as for Hanok Village, that is crazy traffic most weekends even in the vicinity. I expect this weekend the traffic will be at a complete standstill. No one will be able to talk me into going anywhere near that place. But then again, my friend who lives in Sasahakdong will likely ask me over for a meal and then go out for coffee and I will drive close to it. Damn.

I had gone to Seoul once for the Lunar New Year holiday. The city felt like a ghost town but everywhere I wanted to go was open without the crowds. But now I stay in Jeonju because my friends want me to spend some time with them and their families. I no longer visit the graves of my friends' ancestors but I do share the food. On Monday I will be going to Eunha's house for her mother's cooking. Her mother loves to cook for me. Sometimes I am afraid to visit because her mother insists I eat more and more until I basically pass out on the floor. Her son wants me to drink so mech (soju and beer) so I usually don't drive unless I am staying late. They would like me to stay overnight but my doggie needs his walkies so I don't.

I have traveled to other countries and have spent the Lunar New Year there. Sometimes it is good - the fireworks in Hong Kong to celebrate were amazing, I saw the lion dance in person in several places - I had never seen or even heard about it before and I was absolutely fascinated by it, and the stores seem to never close. The celebration in Hong Kong was exciting and fun. But other countries it was not so good to be there during the holiday as a tourist. Just like in Korea travel during this time was impossible. You cannot compete for train tickets and you can end up much longer in a place then you originally wanted to. In Vietnam there is one railway line for both north and south traffic so moving is slow and I couldn't get a ticket so I had to wait for several days before I could move north and ended up there only one night before my flight back to Korea. This is a perfect example why you need to research the holidays as well as the history and culture. I learned a lesson that time. It was still a great holiday but I didn't see everything I wanted and may have to return, just not during the new year.

I have done my grocery shopping and am prepared to spend most of my time at home. I have plenty to do - housekeeping, pet playing, reading, cooking, watching videos. I may even finally get around to making a souffle, as I have often dreamed of trying during vacation. I may take my dog walking along the river and explore new roads - that would make him happy. Hopefully the weather will be good for going outdoors. There is no shortage of entertainment around me and I look forward to being alone a bit, although I know my Korean friends will make time for me. I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families. Happy Lunar New Year, Year of the Monkey.

/전주대 교수

<번역본 2월12일 게재됩니다.>

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[잉그리드의 전주살이-번역본] Happy Lunar New Year

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국가유산청 우리고장 국가유산활용사업 ‘어이~ 유생(儒生)! 유생(乳生)!’프로그램 오수면 초등학생 참여

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