As an Alaskan I’m a sucker for folks who step out of their comfort zone and take a risk on a dream, especially when they are doing it off the beaten track. It’s a little something we call The Frontier Spirit, so when I found jps_bbq on Instagram a few months ago I knew I needed to track them down. For a while they were doing nights at the O’lounge Comedy Club near Osan Base but I always seemed to see the announcement too late. A few weeks ago they announced they were going to start doing weekends in the Pink Carts and I jumped on the opportunity, rounding up the Songtan Language Exchange folks to come along with me.  Needless to say, I was tickled pink with my sandwich, so much so that I went back the next day with my Southern Fried boy for some more sweet tea and bbq. Now is hooked as well. If you love southern BBQ and have 5,000 won burning a hole in your pocket, get your butt over to Songtan, stuff your faces with deliciousness, and support another expat living his dream and making our lives a little bit more tasty. The Pink Carts are located at toward the end of shopping strip walking away from Osan Gate. They are down the ally along the old train tracks. You can call jps_bbq with questions at 010-2626-7437

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Traveling across South Korea this summer? Here are 5 water parks to cut the heat this summer. Updated: July 2022 About Summer in Korea Summer is just around the corner and things are going to be seriously heating up. If you are like me you are going to be looking for some fun ways to cool off. This year my plan is to mix it up a bit.  July and August usually have the highest temperatures of the year in South Korea. Temps may rise to 43 degrees during the hardest of times. This means you need to take sun care seriously. About Water Parks in Korea Water parks are a popular summer activity in South Korea. The water parks tend to be filled to capacity in July and August and the wait for rides may be long. Additionally, during the weekdays some rides may be closed if the park attendance is low. Clothing You may see more western-style swimsuits at water parks than you do at the beach. We recommend wearing a one-piece suit since many slides require this. We also recommend rash guards as it’s better protection. Baseball cap/ water cap and goggles required. If you do not own these, you can often buy them at the water park store. Water shoes/booties may also be a great option to avoid slipping and falling. Water Park Culture Notes Each country has its own culture regarding water parks. This means that you may experience discomfort, frustration, or confusion when water park processes do not meet your hidden expectations. Accidently doing something incorrectly may be an experience that you have and that’s ok. Breathe deep and give yourself grace. One common area of confusion may be the locker system. You often need to leave your shoes in a small locker at the entrance of the dressing room and then put your belongings in a larger locker inside the dressing room. Another common area of confusion is the need to wear a cap or goggles. This procedure helps with pool maintenance and everyone will be required to do this together even if you are bald. Just roll with it. We recommend taking the time to read all posted signs using the Papago translation app. Go slowly and message 1330 with any questions you may have. Parking Water parks near major cities may charge for parking. Most water parks have large enough parking lots for their facilities. However, at locations near Seoul it might be a bit of a walk if you show up later in the day. Water Park in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea The most famous water park in all of Korea and packed to bursting in the summer since it’s near Seoul. Water Park in Gangwon-do, South Korea Water Park in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea Water Park in Daegu, South Korea Water Park in Gyeong-nam, South Korea A small water park in a big city. Expect it to fill up to capacity in the summer months. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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