While the humidity in
Korea during the summer months is almost unbearable, there is one place,
besides underneath an air conditioner, where you can find relief: Haeundae Beach.
For about 5,000-7,000
won, you can rent an umbrella until 6:30 pm and hide yourself on the beach among
thousands of other people. Rows and rows and rows of different colored umbrellas
line the beach. The people watching potential is phenomenal. You can even order
food without leaving the shelter of your umbrella, either by replying to calls
for chicken, beer, and patbingsu ( red bean and ice dessert), or by calling it
in. You may hear a couple of announcements for lost children or even police
warnings about some guys taking pictures of girls in bikinis( which my friend
told me was illegal). There will be some folks trying to be surreptitious with
their cigarette smoking when that’s not allowed either, but best of all, you
can just enjoy the sun and the very cool water from inside an inner tube and
float the afternoon away without worrying about the near 100 degree Fahrenheit
( or 37 degree Celsius) weather back home. You might even meet some new friends.
If you ever visit Korea in the summer, I highly recommend spending an afternoon at Haeundae Beach.
