It’s getting to be that time of year again. The adverts are in Seoul magazine; Robert Koehler’s even written an article on it in June’s issue (I wonder if he actually experienced it first hand?). And it’s one of the more popular search terms which land people at this site.
But before you book your ticket for the Boryeong Mud Festival 2007, think a little bit about what’s on offer:
A slimy military fitness bootcamp:
A compulsory 10 mile run across the mudflats before breakfast
Public incarceration and humiliation (and no breakfast) for the person who comes last
Strange torture devices
Inmates are forced to fight each other for the amusement of others…
Other amusements include a zombie beauty parade
Many visitors are traumatised by the experience
At the end of your stay, provided you complete all the activities satifactorily, the organisers guarantee your physique will be world class
And while the guys are showing off, there’s a creche for the kids
and make-up classes for the girls
And, strangely, people seem to enjoy the experience
and end up making new friends
If all this takes your fancy, the Boryeong Mud Festival runs from 14th to 22 July at Daecheon Beach. It takes all sorts.
Links
- Boryeong Mud Festival official website, where you can find many more photos like those above.
- Send in your stories from the 2008 festival