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/2010/08/06/2010080600304.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
