Jindo Walk

Dear DEDICATED followers,

I found this, my third post, in my drafts from my blog chronicling my first year teaching in Korea. I could easily delete it, but it seems like a waste. Enjoy.

"I spent my first weekend in Korea getting acquainted with my new neaighbourhood and securing the basic necessities of life. My second weekend turned out to be much more eventful that I had imagined. Myself and a group of teachers that I had met decided to go on a camping trip to Jindo island (perhaps you've heard of a breed of dog called a Jindo), which is on the ocean in southwestern Korea. We took the bus from Gwangju and arrive in the city of jindo shortly before 11pm. It was pouring rain and we decided to find a place in town and wait it out over a few beers. We polished off a pitcher, and it was still raining, so we moved to a different bar for several more pitchers, and even busted out a deck of cards for drinking cards. It was almost 5am by the time we left the bars to try and find our way to Gagae Beach, our planned camping destination for the weekend. Instead of taking a cab to the beach, we found a friendly Korean man who was willing to drive us our there (hey free is free). The most terrifying car ride of my life ensued as he drove at breakneck speeds down a winding coast road through dense fog. We arrived safely and began searching for a patch of grass to pitch our tent. We found one of the vendor booths occupied by some friendly vendors who gave us some warm soup and coke, and pointed up to where we put our tent that wouldn't get us hasseled.

We pitched our tent about 20 feet behind the line of vendors (as seen behind our tent in the above photo). We got to sleep about 7am, and slept until the commotion of the growing festival was too much to ignore.

This weekend was special in that 2 times a year the tide goes out far enough to create a "Miracle Sea Road" that is up to 40m with and allows you to walk to a neighbouring island. Legend says the "Moses Miracle" first took place a long time ago, when the village of Jindo was attacked by a pack of bloodthirsty tigers. Everyone managed to escape to the neighbouring Modo village, except for an old woman who was left behind. Out of desperation she started praying to the Sea God to split the waves and grant her safe passage. The deity took pity on her and granted her wish, allowing her to escape the hungry beasts. They build a statue on the Jindo side of the old woman, and her waiting family on the Modo side."

Obviously incomplete, but at least a glimpse of the Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival. Stay tuned for more updates about my impending return to Korea. Seriously, I'll do them this time...