Basin students arrive in Gunpo, Korea

SOUTH KOREA — Columbia Basin youth weren't afraid of getting their hands dirty when they attended a mud festival in Korea.

Eleven students attended the festival during their two-week stay in Gunpo, Korea, due to the Grant County Economic and Cultural Exchange committee. They return July 31.

At the 10th annual Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon Beach, students got covered in mud.

"There was so much laughter coming out of them," said chaperone and administrative coordinator Carol Green. "As a mom, it took me back to when my kids were little and playing in the mud was a daily joy. This is also a big bonding day for the group. The Grant County kids bonded closer together with each other as well as with their group students."

Green said Koreans believe the mud is beneficial to their skin.

Other activities the students did since arriving included visiting the Nong Shim Noodle Factory, meeting the deputy mayor and watching a 3-D show at Nuri Observatory.

"I love everything in Korea, from the people to the food," said Warden resident Joey Massa. "Everything is an amazing, new experience. In fact, I'm starting to believe I was meant to be Korean."

Moses Lake student Reilly Hourigan said the trip is different from anything else she has done in her life.

"Being without my family in a foreign country is a lot different from being with them, and staying in an apartment is also a whole new experience. I like it a lot," Hourigan said.

Students visited with their host families on Sunday. Several students traveled on Sunday to Seoul, Korea's capital.

Massa said he visited Namsan Tower, located on a mountain in Seoul.

"The view of the city was amazing," Massa said. "We also went shopping and saw a stream running through the middle of the city, in which people cool their feet and take a break from the city."

Moses Lake student Mariel Rodriguez called her trip perfect.

"Everything we see and learn every day is something I will always treasure," Rodriguez said. "My family is the best and they feed (me) so much. I love Korea, but I really miss my family."

The trip was a return one for Moses Lake student Brittany Milligan, one of three students teaching English to Korean children at a summer camp.

"I'm starting to get better with chopsticks, speak more Korean phrases, and loving the culture," Milligan said. "I'm so glad that I have been given a second chance to come to Korea."

On Monday, students traveled to Yongin Folk Village and toured Sanbon Technical High School. They visited a water park Tuesday and planned to see a palace Wednesday.

Green is documenting the trip and posting photos online at http://gcece.blogspot.com/.