So it's hot here. Really hot. The air is so moist that when you just stand outside here, you sort of get sweaty. It is really gross. So spent a fair bit of time researching JUST what I needed to make me feel better on a day like today (or every single day here, for that matter): a pool. Since we tried out the Waterpark here in town and was a tad disappointed, so say the very least, I ensured that this search included the word, "chlorine". Naturally I found one. We waited until the day was hot, sunny, and perfect for pooling, and headed into the southeast corner of Seoul, right on the Han River. It took a little longer than I had hoped to get there (as in, half an hour on the metro and a 20-minute walk, which, as we found out later, was easily shortened to about 10 minutes...easy), but as it turns out, that was the first day the pool was open due to previous construction, and admission (usually 5000 won) was free. It was heavenly. And chlorinated. The latter being way more important than the former.
This is an image of the pool as we were leaving. You can see in the background a bridge linking this little island to the mainland (Seoul), the city behind the pool, and the river that the bridge crosses over. The whole park was under construction and was shaping up to be quite a beautiful place.The best part was the Korean Muscle Men who took the opportunity to not only sun themselves, but also show the entire place JUST how ripped they were. What a riot. I was reminded of Arnold Schwarzenegger posing on stage in the early part of his career. The only difference (okay, VAST difference) was that there was no stage, no cameras, no contest, just men standing, showing off, so incredibly proud of their pecs. Awesome. Aside from The Men who I, unfortunately did not get any photos of (I thought they would get the wrong idea), the place was great....don't you just want to visit?
We went to sit on the chairs, but found out that you must pay 8000 won to lounge, 3000 of which is refunded. So we lounged for free elsewhere. So I took the plunge. This is the nicest pool I have ever seen, honestly, and I was thrilled to actually be submerged in it. Then the whistle blows. Behind ME. For ME. Oh my god. Matt and I are pretty much the only foreigners there that I could see. I turn, humiliated. Lifeguard tells me I have to cover my head to go in the pool. What the blog? I notice (again, I'm not that observant....you know those pictures in In Style magazine where they have a common theme like large belts or new bangs? And the caption explains what that common theme is? Well before I read the title, I try really hard to figure out what connects them and ususally I really can't do it. It was sort of the same thing here.) If I just LOOKED around, I would see that EVERY SINGLE HEAD was covered. No errant hairs, no free flowing locks. Duh. I guess they don't want hair in the drains? Who knows. Regardless of the reason, I wanted IN that damn pool, so I spent 8000 won on a bathing cap. Yup, you heard me, 8 bucks for a cheesey head cap. Wicked. But in I went. And it was the best $8 I have ever spent.
We're going back on Sunday. Please join us :)
No comments:
Post a Comment