Daily Wanderlust: Paper Lanterns for Buddha

The best time of year to visit Korea, in my opinion, is May. This is when Buddha’s birthday is celebrated, and the entire country is decorated in colorful paper lanterns to mark the big occasion. They hang in the temples, line the sidewalks, and dot the storefronts. It’s a beautiful sight to behold and you can’t help but feel excited for the celebrations that ensue. This past year, Buddha turned a whopping 2556 years old. The turn out for the Lotus Lantern Festival included monks, dancers, musicians, street performers, foreigners and locals. This particular shot was taken at a park a few days after the celebrations; the lanterns still hung brightly for weeks to come.