Yesterday during Children's Day, I went ice skating. Really. Among other things.
I met some friends who have a child – which seemed appropriate. We hung out at this street-fair style gathering at a place called 고양어울림누리 (roughly, you might call this Goyang Harmony World – Goyang is the name of my city, and Harmony World is a sort of multi-use municipal cultural center, with theaters, museums, sports centers, etc.).
First we went ice skating – I last went ice skating in the late 1980's. I didn't do very well. Neither did many other people. I never fell down, though. At right, here is a picture of me taken by one of my friends from outside the skating rink with a cellphone. Not very good resolution, but I offer this as proof that I actually did this thing, for those who know me well will be sceptical.
After that, we had a kind picnic sitting in some shade among many other families and social groups gathered in open plaza areas. There were many fountains and many children playing in fountains, and except for the wind, it would have been a hot, summery day. The wind kept it pleasant.
We walked around the booths set up for the fair. There were lots of activities for kids.
The son of my friends wanted to make an airplane. We stopped at that booth.
I walked around while the boy was making his airplane. I saw many booths full of crowds making various crafts. And I saw one booth that was almost completely empty – it was a traditional book-making activity. This made me sad. Making books is my number one favorite craft type activity.
We walked to where a minor-league soccer game was going on. There were only a few people in the stands, but players were taking it very seriously. They argued with the refs.
It was definitely springtime.
The airplane was a good investment. The boy played with it for several hours, continuously. Despite the wind, which caused it to follow quite unexpected routes. I like this picture – the plane spun off around behind him, and he's spinning to try to watch it. The shadow of the plane on the ground looks a little bit like a dragonfly.
Thus I spent my Cinco de Mayo, 2012 – better known locally as Children's Day.