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BYU Asian Studies Student Journal

Keywords

Tapgol Park, elderly welfare, food distribution

Abstract

Rain pattered against my umbrella as I walked down the small alleyway near Tapgol Park. An elderly man carrying a black umbrella hobbled past me. Rain dripping from the gutters made puddles at my feet. I carefully avoided several puddles in the pavement making my way to the end of the alleyway. As I drew closer to the end, loud voices echoed down the alley. Around the corner a crowd of elderly people huddled underneath the roof of the front gate to the park. Some stood, while others sat on the ground leaning their backs against the walls of the gate and the pillars. Another small crowd of elderly people was already standing in line on the sidewalk. I looked at my watch. 11:00 a.m. Fifteen minutes passed, and the large crowd began to line up with the smaller crowd. Many of them held umbrellas, while others used newspapers to protect themselves from the pouring rain. After about 20 minutes a silver van pulled onto the sidewalk. A group of women in brightly colored rain ponchos got out and set up a white tent. In the crowd some of the elderly stood on their tippy toes looking over the heads and umbrellas of those in front of them, others pulled up their sleeves to check their watches. Finally, the line began to move as the women in the ponchos handed white plastic lunch bags to the elderly. The elderly walked quickly through the tent, grabbing their lunchboxes and going back into the park to try and find a dry spot to eat their meals.

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