I was at Burning Man Korea.
This event is generally what I think you would imagine. Lots of foreigners (primarily from the Western continents of the earth), compiling on top of each other on a beach, drinking, dancing, face painting, frisbee-ing, eating and playing the day (and night) away.
Here were some of the things I wasn't anticipating, but in retrospect make perfect sense knowing the little I do about Korean culture:
1. There was an actual burning man structure that resembled the real thing, just much smaller and cuter (there's the Korean part) because there was actually two burning men, next to each other, wait for it....holding hands.
2. Not nearly as much art as you would expect at a festival where it's entity as a whole (from the roots, all the way up to each little branch and leaf) is completely saturated in artistic expression and creation. The reason for this being that as a festival being put on mostly by foreigners for foreigners who all live in tiny apartments and their modes of transportation are buses, trains, and planes, cannot physically transport any significantly large or impressive art materials.
3. Not much nakedness. Oh wait, that's because nudity in Korean culture is incredibly offensive (this was held on a public beach where there were Koreans enjoying their family weekend time). Ok, got it.
4. Absolutely no drugs, whatsoever. Oh, that's because besides alcohol, the criminal level of owning or consuming ANY drugs is so severe that it's not worth it to anyone to be caught within miles of it. Ya, ok makes sense.
5. I don't think this has anything to do with Korean culture, but it is not acceptable to make mating/bird calls while waiting for them to light the men on fire, you will get verbally reprimanded. I was bored (light the men already!) and maybe intoxicated, ok.
Besides these odd and generally pointless factoids, it was a great experience. My favorite part, by far, was meeting so many awesome, like-minded people from all over the world. I met some new climbing partners from the States and other good people from places like the UK to Australia to South Africa, and many places in between. I also got to spend some quality time with some friends that I went with and I seem to love more and more each day: Molly, Lisa and Tyler. These three individuals never cease to put a smile on my face and have been great travel buddies. I only managed to get 2 pictures from the whole thing so I'll share those with you. Molly got lots more so I'll upload those once I get them from her.
If you've ever found yourself wondering what a Korean Burning Man handstand competition looks like, whelp, this is it.
I lost. The guy was good, what can I say. He also outwitted me when it came to Canadian geography knowledge. He was a tough competitor, although I made up for it with......
This.
Apparently I excel at slacklining while holding an umbrella and having bubbles being blown at me.
Pimpin' ain't easy.
Neither is being good at really, really pointless things. Story of my life.
Also, here's a video that I made it into, how weird! See if you can find me... http://chincha.co.uk/2012/09/koreaburnvideo/
Also, here's a video that I made it into, how weird! See if you can find me... http://chincha.co.uk/2012/09/koreaburnvideo/
To conclude this new chapter, I have an announcement to make: I've met someone. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm pretty sure he's the one.
Let me tell you about him.
His name is Will.
He is almost completely blind in his left eye, as indicated by his quarter inch thick left eye glass lens.
He looks like the 9 year old Korean version of Yoda.
Oh ya, he's a third grader.
I'm in love!!!
