말복인 오늘

There was a lot of sunshine today. It was hot but not unbearable. Anyway, today is already 말복. The Summer heat is going to recede soon. But before that happens, it will be another week of '찜통더위' (sweltering heat).

Most maple leaves are still green...

... but some have already turned red.

Group photo was supposed to be taken on Tuesday but because of 2 days of almost continuous rain, it was delayed till today. Anyway, the photo will still be delivered in time for our end-of-term ceremony next Friday.

Students like taking photos sitting on this stone lion (above) in front of the main administration building. I have yet to sit on it though.

Our class has 20 students but since most are already quite proficient in Korean, attendance is usually quite poor.

The sunlight is quite strong near noon time so there is a need for an umbrella. The good thing about our class is that we are able to go home after the photo shoot while other classes have to stay for another hour of lesson.

Since it is 말복 today, following the custom of Korean, I have to eat 'Samgyetang' (Ginseng Chicken Soup) to 'fight' the heat. I left for a 'Samgyetang' restaurant near City Hall in the late afternoon. Eating 'Samgyetang' really causes me to perspire a lot.

The strong sunlight of '말복' is covered temporarily by the clouds.

A bowl of 'Samgyetang' cost 13,000won. Fortunately, there is no need to queue as the restaurant is 3-storey high and it is not yet dinner time. Despite that, the restaurant is crowded with people and business is brisk.

Now that I have eaten my first 'Samgyetang' for this '삼복더위', I am all charged up to 'fight' whatever remaining heat that is left of this Summer.