Cold Waves And Icy Streets

Brace yourselves, those in Korea. A cold wave is heading your way and is expected to make its impact on Wednesday. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the coldest weather of the season will happen tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to plunge  to minus eleven degrees Celsius in Seoul and minus 15 degrees Celsius in Gangwon-do.  Brrrr and bring out the snow shovels.

Be very wary too if you're a regular commuter whether as a driver, cyclist, biker or pedestrian. Tourists unaccustomed to wintry hazards, please exercise caution as icy roads and streets can be very slippery and sometimes the ice isn't even apparent to the inexperienced eye. Layer up as well  because the icy winds are not very pleasant.

Of course if you're a first-timer to the season, here's your chance to revel in winter fashions. I'd rather not join the parade outdoors but prefer to snuggle up under a thick down-filled quilt on an ondol floor.

sources:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2929427

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2929363
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/12/09/2010120900350.html
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=15724
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daxue_(solar_term)
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=77938

Audrey's Question About the Weather

Audrey e-mailed to ask about the weather in early November for various places in Korea. Here's what I found from the KNTO website.

Seoul :   6.9 degrees Centigrade,  44.42 degrees Fahrenheit, 64.6% humidity,   53 mm rainfall
Busan: 11.3 degrees Centigrade, 52.34 degrees Fahrenheit, 59.5 % humidity,   60.1mm rainfall
Daegu: 8.6 degrees Centigrade,  47.48 degrees Fahrenheit,  63.8% humidity, 37.1 mm rainfall
Jeju:  13.7 degrees Centigrade,  56.66 degrees Fahrenheit, 65.6% humidity,  68.4 mm rainfall

Early winter in Gangwon-do, 2 November 2009.

As you can see, it can get prettty chilly so here are some tips:

• You definitely need winter woollies. I'd suggest you layer and layer instead of packing  heavy-duty winter jackets. For other tips, click here.
• Find an ondol-style room. The warmth emanating from the floors is very comforting and sometimes so cosy that you may not want to leave the room!
• You need a good strong umbrella especially for Jeju where it's been known to rain a lot.
• Shop for naeboks! Could be a nice and unusual souvenir from Korea which you can use again in other cold places.

Gold from gingko trees in Jamsil, 10 November, 2009

Click here for more information about other places in South Korea.
Check out this posting from last year about the unpredictability of the weather these days.

source:
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/AK/AK_EN_1_1_2.jsp
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=13822¤t_page=15
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=13878¤t_page=15

‘Tis The Season For Heating Pads And Naeboks….

It’s too early to think of Christmas shopping for 2010 but now I know what could make good gifts for those who live in temperate countries like Korea. With all the recent reports about heavy snow and freezing temperatures in many parts of the country, giving someone such heating pads like the strawberry pair the child is holding, seem ideal and practical. Though this popular winter product may seem a little too cutesy and childish for some, I’d throw personal pride and vanity aside for the sake of warm hands. According to Yonhap, these portable and reusable heating pads can be popped into a microwave for 30 seconds to enjoy comforting heat which can last for three hours.

What I have bought from Korea before, though, is one of those electric heating pads which Koreans prefer to use to keep themselves warm in the cooler nights of spring or autumn before it makes economic sense to use the ondol. At that time, I hadn’t heard of Lee Kyo-soo’s doctoral thesis which speculates that electromagnetic waves from such appliances could cause stress and insomnia. Dad hasn’t been complaining but I guess I should check with his doctor about increased cortisol levels.

Another way Koreans are keeping warm this winter is by wearing naeboks ( learnt a new word today!). These are undergarments which have come back in fashion as comfort, environmental and financial concerns take priority over fear of looking old-fashioned and bulky and the convenience of indoor heating. More young people are open to the idea of wearing naebok, apparently, especially when the new styles look decidedly ungrand-motherly. It’s not clear though if they plan to wear red naebok for good luck for the coming Lunar New Year ( a quaint tradition in Korea, I’ve just learned as well).

Sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914949
http://www.korea.net/news/news/newsView.asp?serial_no=20070222012&part=107&SearchDay=&page=51
http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20091214014
http://www.korea.net/News/News/newsView.asp?serial_no=20091214007
http://aidanroh.en.ecplaza.net/

 

Jirye Art Village – Part 4

Don’t think I’ve ever slept in any place so old before. Quick calculation – 342 years to be exact. I’m spending two glorious nights here at the Jirye Art Village. My room was probably a store-room in the old days but now it’s converted into comfortable rooms.

Love the stark simplicity of my tiny room. Floor covered with yellow, oiled hanji; walls plastered with white paper. Zero furniture here. Just a thin “yo” (mattress) folded alongside thick blankets and pillows; some hooks to hang my coat. The only 21st century thing is the light switch. Location’s great as well. Near the dining-room but away from the washrooms. Best of all, a room with two views – of the dam and the hillside. There are actually 14 guestrooms available for tourists. I paid 20,000 won for two nights’ stay and 24,000 won for two breakfasts and two dinners. ( 2005 prices)

A bell summons us to meals in the cosy dining-room. Breakfast is traditional fare - rice with fish, mushrooms and yummy omelettes. Other memorable meals by Mrs Kim  include Andong chicken stew ( dak-jjim) and Song-i mushrooms steeped in gochujang.

Source of photos: KNTO website