Summer Nights in a Village Beyond Seoul

The oppressive heat of summer in a South Korean village is palpable, forcing residents to adapt to relentless heatwaves and tropical nights. The author, a novelist, recounts daily life under the "heatwave warning," where early mornings are spent harvesting peppers to prevent blight, and frequent showers are necessary to endure the daytime heat. Even the sunflowers in the communal field seem to wilt under the sun's intensity, prompting an early "sunflower village festival."

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But what can I ask you about one thing?

The village, historically known as 'Jongdae' (Bell Village) due to an old oxygen tank used as a bell in the 1960s before modern broadcasting, revived this tradition for the festival. The author describes the unique sound of the bell echoing through the village as a bazaar commenced. Residents contributed various items: knitted scrubbers, handkerchiefs, perilla oil, and produce like watermelons and melons. The author herself sold books, which surprisingly "sold out instantly."

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Where can I buy things like this?

One interaction highlights a poignant moment: a 70-year-old farmer, his skin weathered by a lifetime of working the land, inquired about where to buy "things like this" – referring to the books. This encounter sparked a renewed consideration of the author's earlier dream to open a rural bookstore, a place where farmers could rest and perhaps discover literature. Though she had previously abandoned the idea due to financial concerns and doubts about demand, the farmer's simple question rekindled the possibility.

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I told him that books can be bought at a bookstore.

The festival concluded with a communal meal of grilled eel, shared fruits, and corn. As the author walked home, the cooling evening breeze brought a sense of relief. Amidst conversations about the corn, she heard echoes of laughter, perhaps from a neighbor grieving a recent loss, blending with the sounds of the summer night. The experience underscores a community's resilience and shared humanity, finding solace and connection even amidst hardship and the lingering heat.

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It's been a summer where the heatwave warning turned into a heatwave alert, and the nights were so hot the temperature didn't drop.