Mud Fest: Boryeong, South Korea

I went down to Boryeong for Mud Fest this weekend. Koreans believe the mud to have a healing effect on the skin. Purifying it, cleansing it, smoothing it. After my day in the mud I might agree with them, but I also think a day in the mud has an uplifting effect on the mind. There is little that can compare to people roaming the streets in the same shade of grey, covered in mud. The ability to splash strangers with mud, and everyone loving it is one of a kind. Sliding around Boryeong, there are mud baths, a mud “jail” where workers whip mud at you, mud slides, mud wrestling, and a beach to de-mudify yourself. On the trip down I meet three Korean girls, about my age; Tracy, Heyju, and Minjumg. Both Tracey and MJ had lived in the states for a bit and speak perfect english. 

We did a mud soak, then turned green and blue with colored mud painting. We jumped into the mud wrestling, where American soldiers think they can beat anyone, and the Koreans always win with their taekwondo technique. The space is big enough to allow some serious mud sliding which was the most fun. By the end we were pulling down strangers, laughing so much we were eating mud, and blind from mud in the eyes. The trip organizer Mr. Kim also joined us in the mud pit, everyone is fair game in the mud pit!

After we had mud on every inch of our bodies, including eyes, ears, mouths, we showered and went for food and drinks. The city is equipped for a big crowd, restaurants with rows and rows of tables, the streets are lined with restaurants, drinking halls, shops, and hotels. There were bands performing all day, and vendors selling mud products. The crowd is 50% Koreans, 50% foreigners. I almost felt like I wasn't in Korea-

On the bus back, we settled into our seats and a flat screen TV in the front of the bus lights up. Silly American me, thinking a movie would come on! Oh, no- not in Korea. Next thing I know the guy sitting in front of me jumps up, mic in hand and starts belting out “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. Neon lights started circling the bus, echoed vocals, and tambourine completed the karaoke scene that took us back into Seoul.