Sokcho

The weather was stormy for our first day in Sokcho, South Korea. Spring marks the beginning of the yellow dust season. The yellow dust is a mixture of pollution and sand blown down from China. The sand is a kind of natural pollution. It's eroded from lands that were once forest. Rapid industrialization and an appetite for disposable chopsticks in Asian have contributed to deforestation.

What's all this have to do with Sokcho, a relatively lazy beach community on S. Korea's east coast? We needed an escape from Seoul. After a year living in the Jamsil/Gangnam neighborhood, one of Seoul's most congested areas, we needed a retreat to the "country-side"(a loaded-term used to describe pretty much anywhere outside of Seoul, being dubbed country is a borderline insult) for some fresh air.Usually when you go to the beach, you want the weather to be sunny and warm, but nasty weather in S. Korea is auspicious. It means you can have some personal space. You won't get the beach to yourself, but you'll get enough room to spread out.

Sunrise on our second day was spectacular, but even at 4:30 am, people combed the beach.

5 minutes later

Neighborhoods near the beach remind me of other beach communities but with a Korean flare--fancy car, dodgy looking area.

REST STOP Korean rest-stops are happening and filled with all sorts of characters.

East Seoul Bus Terminal The East Seoul Bus terminal is a colorful, busy place.