Ajumma's Journal: Summer

Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Signs of Summer's End - Cheoseo

Cheoseo , or 처서 (處暑) which means " the limit of heat", is one of the 24 seasonal divisions in the lunar calendar. It marks the beginning of the end of summer and while it may not mean much to city-slickers, you may spot signs of the turn of the seasons in the Korean countryside.

For instance, this would be the time when farmers start to dry their red peppers out in the sun.

Apparently, this is the best time to savour peaches in Korea.

Cosmos blooms such as these ones near Jungryangcheon, in Sageun-dong, in Seoul are another sign that autumn is on its way.

Rice harvesting takes place around this time as well. Farmers like the people here from Deokpo Village near Busan, keep their fingers crossed ( or whatever is the Korean equivalent of that) for dry days leading up to Cheoseo as they need the sun for the rice to ripen quickly.

Also, don't be surprised to see more people than usual cooling off under the Cheonjeyon Falls in Jeju-do around the 23rd of August. One legend has it that you can recover from any illness if you stand under the falls which means "the pond of God" on Cheoseo Day.

According to one Korean proverb, "mosquito mouths are shut when Cheoseo comes". Unfortunately, with global warming a sad and more apparent reality, autumn mosquitoes are likely to be a thing of the present and future.

Here's a solemn poem by Heo Hyung Man and translated by Rodney E. Tyson and Hong Eun-Taek. While it's inspired by the shift from summer heat to autumn cool, the sobering sense of our days being numbered is all too apparent in this lyric.

"Cheoseo"

A winged insect flies low low

In a brief instant it's cloudy

A pine tree halfway up the mountain

Is imprisoned in a black cloud

Fluttering, the sound of

The birds of the earth flying up all at once

Began to accompany the strong wind

More than the days I've lived

The days I'll live have become much shorter

All of heaven's living things

Are hurrying back to the earth

from The Quarterly Review: Poetry & Criticism, 3(1), 225-226. Spring 2000.

souces:
http://ausharjah.tripod.com/cv/poem6.html
http://www.sdals.com/Translation-Club/20070825-TC-SS-Notes.pdf
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/24/2010082400614.html
http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=49296
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_term
http://nlpweb.kaist.ac.kr/gwc/excursion.html
http://rki.kbs.co.kr/english/culturenlife/culturenlife_seoultoday_detail.htm?No=1012
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/04/115_8891.html
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2000082262680&path_dir=20000822
http://www.ivynews.kr/news/_news_main.html?code=photo§ion=view&page=7&number=196
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=1918966
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/05/143_8876.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach
Korea's Pastimes and Customs: A Social History by Yi I-Hwa

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Keeping Cool, K-style

How do Koreans keep cool in summertime? Here are TEN ways ( not in any particular order of effectiveness.)

1. You could join the beachgoers who have opted to don their swimsuits and head for the sea at places such as Haeundae, Busan but you're more likely to suffer heat-stroke or sun-burn and feel stifled as you compete with 700,000 others for your tiny bit of space on the sand. As temperatures rise, tempers are more likely to flare with long queues for ice-creams, beach brollies and public toilets. IMHO, it might be better to head for the beach at the tail-end of summer once the students head back home to get ready for school.

2. Those stuck in the capital will probably gravitate towards Cheonggyecheon in the heart of Seoul. Go early to book prime spots under the bridges for more shade.

3. Traditional wisdom dictates that you "fight fire with fire" and so older Koreans prefer to deal with the dog days of summer by indulging in samgyetang ( chicken stuffed with rice, dates and ginseng in soup) Chobok, one of the hottest days on the Korean calendar, is a good time as any to have this dish. (NEWSIS)

4. These children from Daegu may enjoy a water gun fight but how cool can you get while perspiring under raincoats? Isn't the point to get wet? Over-protective ajummas, take note.

5. It seems paradoxical but it makes sense to don winter clothes and sign up for indoor ski lessons to escape the summer heat. (Taken in Bucheon - Yonhap News)

6. Not just sand, sea, surf and sunblock at the Busan Sea Festival at Haeundae Beach. You're less likely to wilt from the summer heat if you get lost happily in this ice maze.

7. Cool off by soaking your feet in foot baths while sitting still in the shade, complete with the coolest sunglasses and summer hat. (Taken in Boseong, South Jeolla Province - Newsis)

8. Take shelter under gourd vines at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. If gourds aren't available, head for any bower or tree with widespread branches.

9. Decorate your own summer cooling devices -Visitors pose with their own hand-painted fans at the Seoul Museum of History (Yonhap). See earlier posting on hand-made fans. My guess is they're keeping cool because of the air-conditioning so head for museums, art galleries or cinemas which provide better, though not green, relief from soaring temperatures.

10. This Korean at a commando unit camp in Damyang, puts the army helmet to good use.

sources:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/06/2010080600306.html

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/06/2010080600304.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/03/2010080300287.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/03/2010080300286.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/30/2010073000355.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/23/2010072300273.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923704
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923417
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=15225

Friday, July 2, 2010

Summer Time and the Livin' Ain't So Easy....

Perhaps these are just my own preconceptions but my idea of summertime in Korea isn't so idyllic as the Gershwin standard apparently makes it out to be. First of all, there are the monsoon rains to contend with and I'm more likely to see umbrellas keeping people dry instead of decorating some summertime festival.

In fact, the brollies can do double duty as shields from the scorching sun. So if you're dripping and turning redder than a bowl of kimchi tchigae, you may be hard pressed to find ways to cool off so here are some suggestions. First, hanji fans aren't merely quaint decorations. They can be pretty handy when you're caught in a place without any air-conditioning or if you're a greenie and haven't the heart to switch on the air-con or even fans.

OR you can run the risk of looking juvenile and face the outwardly-disdainful but inwardly envious stares of adults as you take the plunge alongside these kids into Seongnae Stream in Songpa District, Seoul.

If the water isn't enough, treat yourself to a cooling full-body mudpack at the Boryeong Mud Festival ( held between 17th and 25th July this year) OR volunteer to be covered in sand to protect your fair complexion from being sun-toasted in sand sculpture contests for festivals like the Busan Beach Festival.

Emulate the lifestyle of vampires, even though you're not a fan of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries or True Blood and only venture outdoors when the sun goes down. Lots of open-air concerts to take advantage of during this season such as the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival or if you are won-pinching, check out the free performances in front of City Hall every evening at 8 pm until October.

Better still, join former g.o.d. member, Sohn Ho-young in special performances entitled "Ho young 2 Ocean" Concerts ( 8th - 25th July, at the KT& G Sangsang Art Hall). The thoughtful entertainer is planning to help his fans cool off with a sprinkler system and he'll even play bartender to make cocktails for some lucky fans. On second thought, THAT is more likely to create more steam and sizzle.

Spectacular fireworks display are an additional bonus for summertime night-owls. Good luck finding a spot along the Hangang far from the madding crowds, though, that threaten to add to the sweltering stuffiness. Otherwise head downsouth for the Pohang Fireworks Art Competition from the 24th to the 29th of July at the Pohang Cultural Art Hall.

Alternatively, you may brave the outdoor sun, heat and humidity and trail school-groups as they go on nature walks or take part in harvesting activities. The kids here look as if reaping barley is lots of fun but I'd rather be indoors sipping glasses of sikhye. For a recipe and video demo on how to make this delicious and refreshing drink made from barley malt powder, check this out.

For something with a little more kick, I'd indulge in bottles of maesilju ( Korean plum wine). Click here for the recipe. Also, see previous posting on almost everything plummy.

Then I'd sober up with a virtuous bowl of samgyetang ( generously laced with ginseng wine, of course!) like the ones served to the senior citizens below.

Happy surviving summer, everyone!

Sources:

1. http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/02/2010070200422.html

2. http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/07/01/2010070100411.html

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