We're in Sokcho, which is a beachy fishing town on the east coast of S. Korea, real close to the 38th parallel. This is a popular tourist destination for Koreans and Japanese beach goers and also a good launch pad for visiting the DMZ, which we're probably not going to do because there are, like, 10 amazing beaches within a bus ride and the area is known primarily for raw fish. So, educational day trips are just going to have to take a back seat for the moment.
Today was a gorgeous and perfectly sunny day for our first visit to Sokcho beach. The Koreans could learn us a few things about beach going. For example:
- Rather than umbrellas, you rent a big metal and canvass wall that bends in the middle and is propped up by a metal pole. This provides a huge rectangle of shade and never blows away. Best.
- Favored Korean beach snack: hot dog on a stick covered in French Fries. I had been looking forward to this since we got off the bus on Sunday (I pretty much talked about it all the way from Seoul) and it did not disappoint. I guess, really, how could it? Its a hot dog. And french fries. On a stick.
- People do NOT end their beach day at 5 p.m. to go home and shower and nap before cocktails and this I particularly enjoy. Why? Because being at the beach is my favorite thing on earth and I would stay there till dark if given the option. I feel vindicated when, at 6:30, my Korean brethren are just settling in with a bucket of chicken (not kidding) and big beers. They're probably still there now. Stay strong, guys.
Um, so onto a couple of really minor points of feedback that I'd probably share for the overall improvement of the beach experience for the local visitors.
- Science has given us a miraculous lotion that effectively combats UV rays. Its called sunscreen and can be purchased at the Family Mart across the street from here. So while I appreciate that modesty dictates y'all aren't going to be wearing thongs and banana hammocks, jeans with hoodies aren't really appropriate swimwear. We saw dozens of people in long pants or sleeves or both, with hats or hoods or both, in the Pacific today. Maybe just SPF it up and leave the socks (true story) on shore.
- I realize that a lot of folks around here aren't terribly comfortable in the water. And, while an inflatable tube/raft/swimmy is a sensible precaution, I feel you guys might be overdoing it. The roped off swim area at the beach ensures that if you are over 4 ft. 6, you can touch the bottom with your entire head above water even at the highest of tides. The life vest in concert with a flotation device and a loud shriek every time a 6 inch wave rolls in just feels campy. Maybe reign it in a drop.
Otherwise good times. And really enjoyed the lack of open container laws.
See you tomorrow.
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3 comments:
Do you think the hot dog and fries on a stick would travel well? I'm willing to pay the shipping and a finder's fee.
Also, whenever you like I will stay at the beach all day and night with you and eat chicken from a bucket!
I too love to stay on the beach until it's waaaay past home time. Not so much loving the hotdog/fries thing but there'd be other stuff for me like raw fish on a stick or some kind of mystery deep fried item (on stick). Totally surprised by the twinning of life vest and flotation device. Who knew? Get swimming freakish beach wimps!
Ummmm, Podney? Ummmm, I just saw Ed's photo of the hotdog french fries thing. It looks so good. I have changed my mind. I haz dogg fries stik now pleeze? I can split shipping costs with Yelena. No wait. Yelena in America. Damn it. Send dogstick to EN-GER-LAND!
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