Samgyetang: Koreans Favorite dish in Hot summer

Samgyetang primarily consists of a whole young chicken and Korean ginseng. Samgyetang is traditionally served in the summer for its supposed nutrients, which replaces those lost through excessive sweating and physical exertion during the hot summers in Korea.

To make samgyetang, a whole young chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice and boiled in a broth of Korean ginseng, dried seeded jujube fruits, garlic, and ginger. Depending on the recipe, other medicinal herbs such as Astragalus propinquus (hwanggi), wolfberry (gugija), Codonopsis pilosula (dangsam), and Angelica sinensis (danggwi) may also be added.

Proteins, minerals, and hormones from the whole chicken mixed with the beneficial properties of the ingredients combined in the dish makes it a revered culinary item in South Korea. Only whole uncut ingredients are used for the dish, as they are believed to preserve the maximum amount of nutrients.

Many Koreans enjoy it on three specific days in summer: "Chobok" (초복), "Jungbok" (중복), and "Malbok" (말복), which Koreans believe to be the hottest and most sultry of the year. Food with high nutrient content is eaten to regain the loss of stamina in the summer heat, and samgyetang is a favorite dish.

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Jjimjilbang : Korean way to relax

A Jjimjilbang (찜질방) is a large, gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas and massage tables. Jjimjil is derived from the words meaning heated bath. However, in other areas of the building or on other floors there are unisex areas, usually with a snack bar, ondol-heated floor for lounging and sleeping, wide-screen TVs, exercise rooms, ice rooms, heated salt rooms, PC bang, and sleeping quarters with either bunk beds or sleeping mats. Many of the sleeping rooms can have themes or elements to them. Usually Jjimjilbangs will have various rooms with different temperatures to suit guests' preferred relaxing temperatures. The walls are decorated with different woods, minerals, crystals, stones, and metals. This is to make the ambient mood and smell more natural. Often the elements used have traditional Korean medicinal purposes in the various rooms.

Numerous options exist for that only in Korea experience. Dragon Hill Spa is the place basically glorified jjimjilbang-the large bathhouse-cum-saunas beloved by Koreans. In Dragon Hill Spa you can enjoy various concept of saunas and water park at competitive price especially on July.

*Location: across from Yongsan KTX Station
*More information: http://www.dragonhillspa.co.kr/
*price:  11,000 - 13,000won

If you have any movie or gallery ticket within a week, you will get a discount 2,000won. Bring your beach towel and swimming hat and enjoy your Korean life.

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PURI

On last Friday, dated 5th July 2013, Korea Tourism Organization has invited me to watch the PURI performance. They were celebrating their 20 years of success. This show was held at National Theater of Korea.

This was one of the greatest traditional music that Korea offered, blended with other genres and styles, fusing together to produce new sounds and experiences to excite the ears and the mind.

 

For this amazing performance, free shuttle bus took audience from closet subway station to the venue. I was also among them who took free shuttle bus to the venue. The view of the National theater was great. On one side there was namsan (mountain), actually this place was on the way to the namsan tower.

The show start with amazing piano performance by one of the artist and main vocal while all other members were behind the steel screens and they hit those steel screens and eventually it comes out to be written PURI. Audience was not expecting this kind of surprise, everybody thought they are just hitting those screens to make sound.

 

 For me what was the interesting thing is the piano and guitar performances blended with traditional music. i am kind of person who loves piano and guitar simply modern music instrument more. So for me the reason for this performance and this group to be successful is the same that they mixed modern music with traditional music.

 

 The performance was so energetic and the artists play in rhythm putting so much energy for the audience to enjoy till the very last second. Audience request them to come once more to present another performance for them and they didnt reject their request. They played the drums and also danced a little while playing their instruments.

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Rainbow Island Music & Camping Festival 2013

From June 7th to June 9th 2013, i got chance to join Rainbow Island Music & Camping Festival at nami island. A big Thanks to Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) for giving us chance to enter the festival for free. It was really a big hit festival. Hundreds of people were there to enjoy the great music from many artists.

Camping Zone:

There were two main camping zone and one small free zone. Many people enjoyed camping at that beautiful place. Here is one view of camping zone B.

 
This event bring some interesting adventure for me as i have to to do camping for the event at the nami island and the fact that i had to do it myself was more sparkling. it was my first time to setup my camp. I started without any prior experience but it took my little time to get how it can be done. Yes, i felt happy after finishing. Here is my camp. ^^

There were 3 stages; Rainbow stage, Island stage and Forest stage.

Rainbow Stage:

It was the biggest stage among all three stages and has biggest standing area for audience to enjoy and jump. Here is the comparison of Rainbow stage at day time and at night time.

Island Stage:

This was 2nd biggest stage in this festival. Here are pictures to show day and night view of the island stage. Of course at night it looks really beautiful in amazing lighting.

Here are pictures of some artists, the most famous TRAVIS are among them. They rocked the whole island and everybody there enjoyed a lot. Audience were not allowing them to go back the stage. They keep on calling for another song.

 

Because of hot weather performances was scheduled to start at 2pm and they keep on going till 3am at night. Nobody wanted to sleep and just jumped and danced around island stage till 3am.

Overall it was great experience to be part of this event audience. KTO did amazing job to support us to enjoy this festival.

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