Route 1706

August 1, 2009

got on a random bus after dropping sister off at seoul station... hoping that the bus will give me a little tour of seoul that i have not yet seen. to my surprise, i was given a lot more to see than what i hoped for.

Gwang-hwa-moon station... was full of people, lights, and camera!
it happened to be the opening of the "new gwang-hwa-moon square" that had been under construction for months to finally show off its new istorical charm. Rows of water shout up high in the air from the newly established fountains next to the "historical walk" of Korea.
A huge stage was provided for performances to celebrate this day; camera crew, new and old from all over the country, rows of police buses stood in awe.

I couldn't believe that I was allowed to be part of this special moment.
stones that bear encryption from 2009, all the way back to the 1300's of Chosun dynasty, with its historical moment layed under our feet... under a streaming water... as history flowed through the years. What a metaphorical, touching moment it was.

I stayed on the bus to see familes get on and get off.
A mom with 2 little sons got on, and they both pulled for her attention and love.
"mom, you're going to sit with me this time!"
the son chattered away next to his mom without any care for his older brother sitting further away.

A young family of mom, dad, son and a daughter got on. The little boy was stubborn next to his daddy to sit next to a high window... not to miss the water fountains shooting high up in the air. Then a naive clapping filled the bus with his big smile & shout... from such a little boy. Dad scolded the boy not to be so stubborn, but for some reason, it does not sound harsh at all; a sweet, loving scold from a young dad who apparently adores his son so so much.

Another mom with 2 other sons hurriedly tries to get off the bus, and lovingly calls out to her son: "Isn't this your stop?" And they all chuckle as they finally make their way out of the bus, then up a hill to their sweet home.
i must have followed them home, because then the bus driver called out to me, "aren't you getting off?!" oh no... i came to his end stop... "no, i'm not. just keep going 'back' in a circle." ^^

is it a coincidence that these scenes of families keep capturing my eyes, my ears and my heart?
or... is it time...?