busan

During the Chuseok holiday, the Korean equivalent of thanksgiving, I took the opportunity to visit Busan, or Pusan twice. This large city, the third largest in Korea, is home of one of Koreas most famous beaches, Haeundai Beach. During the hot summer, the beach is wallpapered with umbrellas and tanning bodies. Over the course of two days, I was lucky to enjoy the winding trip from Deokshin to Namchung and then to Busan via many small towns.

Along the way were rice fields with white heron, living room furniture filled bus stops, traditional homes under highway overpasses and other magnificent treats for the eyes. One of the most touching moments was watching the little children play on the beach and at night seeing couples sitting on large san dunes by the ocean’s edge, just talking quietly or listening to a shared set of headphones. Most unusual for a foreigner was how close small unrelated groups of people were sitting together; personal space must not be a consideration in Busan. Everyone felt very comfortable sitting 30 or so centimeters apart.

I hope to try surfing on this beach next time I visit, possibly during the upcoming film festival that some other friends are interested in catching. The waves weren’t enormous but for a first time hitting baby swells, it might be just right.

The sound of the waves was calming and the fresh smell of salt water rejuvenating. We enjoyed some green tea and Soju, fermented rice alcohol famous in Korea. It tastes like vodka, goes down more smoothly and leaves you with a killer hangover if you’re not careful. One 250ml bottle is plenty for a group of 3 beginners!