Sometimes the best way to deal with the cold, particularly if it’s still dry and sunshiny, is to get out and spend some time in the sun. Yesterday was a beautifully clear day, so I set off in search of a park.

The only major park I have not yet seen in Daegu is Mangu Park. After yesterday, I still haven’t managed to find it, but I’m not too concerned because I found a lovely river-park instead. And some bridges. Rivers and bridges. That’s how I like to think of Korea, rivers and bridges and mountains. I don’t see it often enough because most of the city is built up, but this area, out towards the airport in the North East, has lovely views of the hills and mountains that surround the city and plenty of river and bridges.

Most of the river-parks, of which I am rather fond, are quite far from where I live and getting there is a case of trial and error because they internet (the source of all knowledge, of course) doesn’t seem to know about them. This one was another accidental discovery. I took bus 814 all the way out past Dongdaegu station before I found it. Actually, I have a feeling the park I was originally looking for (Mangu Park) should be in the same vicinity but this one caught my attention first, so it won.

Just to complete the context, although there was sun yesterday and it was exquisitely clear, it was the kind of clear that only happens because an icy wind is blowing away everything that could possibly make the day hazy. The only thing marring the perfectly icy-blue sky were the icy trails created by some military aircraft that were buzzing around(the airforce base is nearby).

I was dressed warmly – with two long tops, a thick, warm hoodie and a winter jacket, as well as a thick scarf – but that didn’t stop it being cold. Walking along beside the river, my hands actually got numb from the cold and the wind was biting. The needles of ice in the wind actually made my eyes water with cold.

But the sun was shining and sparkling on the dark, chilly water and the wind was fresh, even as it blew my scarf around and half strangled me and ruffled up my hair, and REM was playing on my mp3 player, so I kept on walking. It was invigorating and so lovely to be outside. I think the thing I like least about winters this cold is that they make me want to stay inside. The cold made me think of Saturdays spent at school sports events, particularly when I first started working and we’d end up at random places all over South Africa standing around in the icy, dry winds watching kids play soccer or netball or perform traditional dances.

I’m glad I woke up early and went to the park. So much better to have that in the day than merely a whole 24 hours with nothing but the drudgery of work.