I knew from biblical history that Moses parted the Red Sea to rescue his people from Egyptian warriors. Such a natural miracle occurs every year during the spring season in Korea. The yellow sea departs and creates a 2.8 km long narrow path between Jindo island and Modo island, just off the southwest corner of the Korean Peninsula. An insatiable desire arose to witness and experience the miracle myself.
According to a local folktale, once upon a time Jindo island was inhabited by tigers. Being threatened constantly, the villagers escaped to the nearby Modo island. All except Grandma Bbyong.
Bbyong prayed to the ocean god day and night for salvation. The next morning, the sea parted and the miracle road led her to Modo island where she rejoined her family.
The science behind the miracle is that numerous tidal harmonics, when lined up together, will generate a very high tide or, in the case of Jindo, a very low one.
I reached Mokpo city (nearest city in the mainland close to Jindo island) after a long drive and decided to stay the night there, as hotels in the island were fully booked (21 March 2019). The next morning I crossed the bridge to Jindo island and arrived at the festival location in less than an hour. It was a refreshingly festive mood and I was awe-struck by the sheer number of people gathered there from all over Korea. The islanders were happy to receive myself and others who were there to witness the island's miracle. Despite the crowd, everything was very well managed by the organizing committee.
There were numerous food stalls, music performances, dance exhibitions, Jindo dog shows and other activities. I got immersed in various cultural activities and enjoyed local delicacies.
In the evening I decided to perch at a vantage point from where I could see the miracle that was supposed to commence around 6:30 pm. I went to the top of a cafe that was packed with people and enjoyed the traditional music, dance and drum parades below. Finally, it was announced that the miracle was about to happen. I wondered, really?
What followed was unbelievable. First I could see a narrow strip of land emerging in the middle of the sea. It started increasing in size, akin to a long snake emerging from the sea, and finally a narrow path was formed between the two islands. It was a jaw dropping sight indeed. I walked on the miracle road, remembering Grandma Bbyong. Some folks were busy collecting clams, abalone and crabs stranded on the path - mother nature's free gift on the special occasion.
During the stay in Jindo, I learned about the three treasures and the three pleasures of Jindo. The three treasures are Jindo Dog (top pedigree from Korea), goji berries and brown rock seaweed. The three pleasures are Minyo (folk song), paintings/calligraphy and Hongju (red colored liquor).
That night I crossed the bridge and drove to my apartment in Geoje island. Echoes of the Jindo Arirang (folk song) still reverberate in my heart with a yearning to go back to this beautiful land.
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