Bamboo

I've lived almost my entire life in Toronto, yet last year was the first time I ever explored the rest of Canada (aside from trips to Montreal and Gaspe with Art). I've been doing the same thing here in Ulsan; with only 4 months left, there are still several things I've yet to see, such as the bamboo forest near Taewha River Park. Finally checked that off the to-do list thanks to Adrienne and her friend Suvasha.

Adrienne being Adrienne

I believe that there are victims of countless unsolved murders buried within the bamboo forest. If you listen closely at night, you can hear their cries. There also may or may not be snakes. 

Just off to the side of these flowers is where I destroyed Adrienne not once, but twice at a race to see who could roll down the hill first. Wasn't even close. I think I rattled a few brain cells loose though. 

Wishbone tree

 So whilst standing beneath a surprisingly clean and troll-free bridge, Adrienne spotted a dude who yanked a giant stick out of a bush. She walked over to him to hand him some leaves that had fallen, and in the process, made a new friend with her impressive Korean skills. The guy even bought the three of us coffee from a woman passing by. Soon, an old man on a bike stopped to join the conversation, and a couple people walking by stopped to stare at the old gentlemen conversing with three foreigners.

After a while of standing around and talking, he led us on an impromptu tour of the park. He explained (to Adrienne, who then translated for us) that he was responsible for maintaining the park and feeding the animals. The first place he took us was a bird feeding area. He led the way carrying a gigantic bag of popcorn. He was like the pied piper, leading his army of birds with a trail of popcorn. When he finished, he signaled for them to fly away, and they created a giant wall of flapping wings. It was like a scene out of Hitchcok's The Birds. The sound of a thousand flapping wings, their frenetic energy, their sheer numbers, and the very real possibility of being pooped on all made it a very surreal, but terrifying experience when they shot up.

Que?

Next up, he took us to a sign beside a shed, from which he pulled business cards for us. The sign featured historical information about the park, as well as a picture of a young and handsome fellow feeding the birds. Apparently he's been doing this for a while. One picture featured pigeons in a formation of the number 2002 in celebration of the year Korea was awarded the World Cup. Adorably, the guy seemed to relish telling people passing by about the American, South African, and Canadian he befriended, one of whom speaks Korean.

After a lengthy tour that lasted close to half an hour, of which I understood nothing, we had to say goodbye to our new friend.

We moseyed along the Taewha River, stopping to pet the occasional dog (including the most beautiful bulldog I've ever laid eyes on), marvel at the tiniest skateboards I've ever seen, and watch some kids play soccer with a couple adults who were not at all merciful.

Although the sky was cloudy all day, it was still a beautiful warm day that reminded me just how beautiful Ulsan really is.