Mudfest 2010!

This weekend was Mudfest 2010. Mudfest is an annual event held in Boryeong, on the West Coast of Korea. It is held at Daecheon beach. The mud in that area is said to have special properties that make for healthier skin. There are lots of products made by this special mud. A two hour train ride south of Seoul took us to Boryeong city. This festival takes place each year for two weeks.

I would say it can be summed up as a Cancun Spring Break trip. I think 90% of the foreigners in Korea were at this festival, and 88% of them were drunk(side note: I drank some wine in a box, but I was not overly intoxicated at any time due to my stomach's inability to handle alcohol.) There were mud slides, mud wrestling, mud obstacles courses, mud hoses spraying people, mud fights, mud pools, mud body painting, etc.

Despite the rain, it was really fun, and I am definitely glad I went.

Amanda and I are ready to go! Waterproof camera bag- check. Matching outfits- check.

Joe decided a speedo was in order for this event. Not sure if we agreed, but in the end, i think it was a hit with festival goers.

Some pre-event food at Lotteria- Korea's rip off of McDonald's.

We found some wine in a box. It seemed perfect for the festivities.

Event entrance.

Enjoying our wine....

Group shot with wine in a box.

This picture sums up Mudfest.

As does this picture.....

Event goers. Basically, everyone is covered in mud.

More event goers.

A mess of mud.

Mud body painting!

After being thrown into a mud pit. The people were ruthless. Every time I stood up, someone threw me back down. I was even grabbing the side of the pool trying to get out and someone grabbed me and pulled me back in!!!

The beach.

Me, Joe, Amanda.

One of the slides.

Joe wasn't the only one in a Speedo!

It just wouldn't be a complete Korean experience without something like this. I mean, why would you wear heels to this kind of event!?!? Come on girls!

These guys were sporting some mullet wigs. Pretty amazing.

Joe after going into Mud Prison. It was basically some bars set up and when you walked through they sprayed you with a hose of mud!

After being thrown into the mud pool, I had so much mud in my eyes that it absolutely hurt to open them. My eyes hurt so bad, and it was hard to see. My friends met this guy, Hector, who had contact solution and q-tips for this very thing. When he heard me say I couldn't see, he offered to help. I never quite got the full story, but my friends seemed to think he was an expert at this and insisted I let him get the mud out of my eyes. Apparently, in the Marines he was a medic, or a helper of some kind. A bad idea, yes, but I was desperate. In the end, it worked.

After a day of mud, we decided to get cleaned up and go to a nice seafood dinner.

My favorite Korean meal

This is Shabu Shabu. It has become my most favorite and most often craved Korean meal. I have tired of Korean BBQ, and this seems to always be on my mind. It consists of a huge pot of spicy broth and veggies- mostly greens, onions, mushrooms, and a few potatoes. It comes with a plate of thinly sliced meat to add as you go. The meat cooks in seconds because it is sliced so thin.  It also comes with a bowl of noodles and a bowl of fried rice ingredients. After you have had your fill of meat, you add the noodles. They are pretty much cooked, but benefit from a couple minutes in the hot broth. Once you eat the noodles, you call the nice server over to cook your fried rice. You can do it yourself, but if you look the least bit inexperienced, the server will promptly come and finish the job for you. I have never tried to do it myself, but I have seen it happen. I like the server to do it though. I feel like it is part of the experience. Plus, the technique is one that I just don't feel like I can replicate.

The usual Korean sides. 

Aubry and I waiting for the huge pot of veggies to cook down.

Almost ready...

The meat.

Amanda and Alison about to enjoy some shabu.

Our meal.

A closer look at shabu shabu. First the meat....

Then the noodles....

Then the most delicious fried rice. The rice is pressed against the sides to cook. Once done, you scrape it away and get all the delicious crispy bits of rice. It really is the best fried rice I have ever eaten. By the way, fried rice is pronounced "boke um bop" in Korean.

Korean things

The Korean culture is one I may never fully understand. Even now that I have been here for over 10 months, I am still amazed by things most days. Below are a few examples. 

 This is a toast shop by my apartment. They sell the most delicious toast sandwiches for very cheap. Look closely at the sign- SGA. If you look even closer, you will see that it says 'Skeletal Growth Activator.' Ladies and gentlemen- you can buy a sandwich with growth hormones. I had heard a rumor that some Koreans give their kids growth hormones, but I didn't believe it, until now!

 Notice the man crossing the street. This is a very common sight within a few blocks of a hospital. He is in his gown, with a cast, on crutches, crossing the street!!  I have seen people in their gowns in a coffee shop, a bakery, on the back of a scooter, and many other places. A friend saw a guy in his gown carrying his I.V bag on the back of a scooter once!!

 I found this amazing store. Own a beach house? Need a nautical themed anything!? This is the place for you!!!  It was located next door to the fake fruit/veggie shop!