Mudfest

So the fear I had been hearing from my compatriots hadn't set in during the long grueling week of work, too much excitement brewing for my upcoming trip to the Philipinnes (which I have, apparently still not learned how to spell, since the spell check is underlining in red, time to investigate...) Ok. Philippines. That's where I was going (and have since gone) to. Plus my parents are coming to visit (which is now the top of my concerns, along with studying in Korean and updating this sad sap excuse of a blog). Anyways, my biggest fear about Mudfest was getting mud in my eyes and what that would be like.

I got off of work Friday, and finally started to pack for the event. Actually we may have gone out for a beer, I forget now. It was absolutely pouring, but luckily our friend Rich's sweet girlfriend agreed to drive us the (maybe) mile to the bar where our group was meeting (and organized by). When I got to the doorway at the foot of my apartment, there was a crowd of Koreans awed by the downpour. They looked at me curiously and inquired why I had no umbrella. I tried to tell them something about not needing one, and when asked why, giving the word that I best understand as meaning something like "silly/dumb/crazy". Guy there decides to escort me under his umbrella to Ruby's car down the block a little ways. Crammed 5 deep in a car that is almost smart and definitely too small to make it on the "safety-conscious" American Auto market.

I got my first "American-style" breakfast at Rhythm and Booze. It was overpriced, but to have a hashbrown made it worthwhile. We also started to drink. Apparently my expectations of free booze for the weekend were misguided, and I have since judged the trip as overpriced. Well we weren't too drunk for the 2 or 3 hour bus trip, but our bladders were tested, including one fellow peeing out our window. I held it until we reached an ultimate-rest-stop. Nicest type of bathroom. Close to the water, I could smell it. Well just when the trip was starting to ware on me, we reached Boryeong/Daecheon. Not long after settling in, we are greeted by massive bbq'd (beef of pork, I don't know, I apparently do not have very distinguishing taste buds) and mosquito's to match. O and huge.. uh.. mussels? I ate a couple of those, fighting my pickier urges. Man, though, these mosquitoes.. whew, something else!

I guess the city is called Boryeong, and the beach is Daecheon (somwhat confused by the public at-large). Well we decided we had to experience the water. It was nice, there were fireworks (which I did not partake in, for once), and then we were greeted by loads of (primarily male) nude bodies. Our stuff was washed away in a tide that moved quickly across a long stretch of very flat beach, but luckily I managed to retrieve it.

We got out, resumed drinking, but when the downpour began, the wiser portion of our group decided to head back (actually we all did, but Dave and Rich got hung up in a kickaround with a soccer ball, I forget exactly what they called it). But I mean, it was coming down, cats and dogs and other animals domesticated and not.

I slept okay on the floor, like a true Korean. the lack of a pillow was a little killer, as was my lack of floor space. Come the morning, my hangover set in with the voices of pushy companions needing some excitement either from the British (golf) Open, or our departure to muddy festivities.

Eventually we made our way. As we were walking down, I was the first one targeted with a female slap to my chest, covered in mud. Then another couple of friendly hands. Suddenly I was hit with a barrage of mud hurled by dudes chanting "too clean" (this subsequently became my mantra for a day of passing on the goodness). The mud had some rocks in it, and was being thrown a bit too hard for it to be completely benevolent. That's what happens when you let rowdy American Soldiers take part. Well I kept a smile about it, until I got hit in the eye. At which point I raised my hands and tried to remove myself from the battle. Then I got hit in the other eye. It was as awful as I had imagined. Nothing could get rid of it, my and Natalia's friendly hands could do nothing but move mud around it. I think I eventually teared (tears, not tears, oh.) it out. Yea used tears, not tore. Anywho, enjoyed that for a bit, luckily met up with some friends. Did one of many inflated mud rides (picture moon bounce, wrestling pit, multiple slides, those races where people strapped elastically try to hurl themselves at one another, and obstacle course). We hopped on the obstacle course which had a not too long line. Despite their best warnings, I could not be ready for how much abrasion my knees would undergo. I also didn't realize my friends plan to remain in the mudpit in the middle. Alas, I won anyways.

I got off track here. Started getting involved in band politics and finishing up my wash. I'm generally off-track here. Maybe off-track is where you find the real stuff, I don't spose that sounds too wrong.

Mudfest was a lot of hangovers, not a lot of drunkeness (bad ratio, should be vice-versa)
Awful mosquitos
Gross barbeque
First Korean waterpark, very fun, and worth the inflated price
Impressive English-speaking city
All-in-all a gruelling weekend, but a survivable one.

I've also found my long work days much more bearable.

I forget what my story was.

Well we have new coworkers, and we lost one of our greats, Shawn Taylor.
One is from Orange County, and she looks terribly familiar, though it may just be the koreaness of Southern Cali. f-word, what was my anecdote?