The Music of Spring

Shikajng Mountain -- It's March and Cherry Blossoms are all abloom. Professor Choi took us for some hiking in the crisp wind of Spring, something that my nostrils were very new to. Our History class didn't go to the top but just walked around the flat levels of the mountain till we reached the mountain's park. We saw there people dancing in a weird, unconventional rhythm. Prof Choi told us that it's called the Farmer's Dance and is one of Korea's traditional dances. The sole use of percussions made it difficult to appreciate it at first because of the loud, patternless sound...but then, when you try to merge the imagery of falling Cherry blossom petals, with the cold, fresh air, and brown twigs, the movement, chant, and drumming of the dancers, you'd find it quite relaxingly oriental...