2019 JB LIFE! Magazine Winter Edition

Community
Small gathering
Everything came from a small idea. My
closet literally broke down because it was
brimming with clothes, most of them I
hardly use, with other unidentifiable items
buried deep within years of hoarding. It
was a harsh realization, not only on a
need for a more organized space but it
was also a clear evidence of a habit that
is wasteful and bad for the environment.
Ashley had the same situation and we
both talked in passing about missing
garage sales back in our home countries
where people can visit each other’s yards
to check out secondhand wares while
enjoying conversations with barbecue
and cold drinks. In Korea, this practice
is not so common because locals can
easily dispose clothing in bins installed
in every apartment complex.
We wanted to create that yard fair
atmosphere but with a worthy cause—
all clothes, books, and other secondhand
items that are in good condition will be
donated to charity. We also wanted to
create a space for the expat community
in Jeonju to share their home specialties,
recipes, and handmade goods that they
used to make in their home countries.
Last year, we organized the first Jeonju Fall
Yard Fair with this purpose, using budget
from our own pockets and borrowing the
parking lot of a private English Academy. We
were surprised that several people wanted
to participate and share the things that
they loved. With Fall as our main theme,
the vendors customized their offerings into
things that remind them of the warmth of
their home abroad: cupcakes, brownies and
other baked goods, sugared apples, hot
cider and warm chocolate drink, Falafel,
grilled burgers, and the like, aside from
used books and clothes.
“When we saw that the community just
enjoyed and missed networking with
different people—especially connecting
with fellow expats in Jeonju—we
decided to make this a regular thing but
bigger and better,” Ashley said. “We want
everyone to have a sense of community
and togetherness.”
It was heartwarming to see the willingness
of the participants and guests to simply
have fun and catch up with friends. One
vendor told us that she was able to
reconnect with friends she hasn’t seen for
years even when they all reside in Jeonju.
34 Jeonbuk Life Magazine / Winter 2019 • Issue 17