Keeping Cool

This was a warm, sunny day in Korea (90F/32C) so I decided to make like the locals and use my umbrella for shade. I wasn't impressed, however, as it just seemed to trap heat around my head. Many Korean women are hyper vigilant about keeping the sun off their faces, wearing masks, wide-brimmed hats, and visors that look more like welding helmets. It's also common to see men and women waving pretty folding fans to keep cool. A very popular indulgence is bingsu or ice snow. It's a dessert, frequently shared, of shaved ice, ice cream or sweetened condensed milk, and toppings such as sweet red beans or fruit. Tonight I'm taking my cues from the kids and treating myself to ice cream (tiramisu!) for dinner. Yum!