Nanji Turns into a Reputable Campsite

“I have never expected this kind of excellent camp site in a gigantic city like Seoul. I love to come to Korea again. Korea is a spring overflowing kindness and human nature.”

An Irish woman, Rose Mary(44) and her husband came come to Korea to watch the World Cup game and are staying at ‘Nanji Camp Site’ of Sanam-dong Mapo-gu in Seoul, exclaimed ‘fantastic’ and ‘wonderful place’ about the camp site.

They began to tour Thailand, other Southeast Asian countries and Japan from May, and came to Korea to watch the game deciding the best 16 between Ireland and Spain in Suwan Stadium at 16th of June. Actually, they were going to departure this weekend, but changed the schedule to stay further and look around Korea until the first of July.

As the World Cup runs toward the final stage, many foreign supporters visited Korea began to go back their country one by one. However, ‘Nanji Camp Site’ is absolutely different from somewhere in Seoul. It keeps lively atmosphere of ‘Small Global Village’ by foreign bag packers’ visiting.

From 18th of May of its opening day to 20th June, 860 foreigners from 23 countries have visited ‘Nanji Camp Site’.

According to the nationality, 165 French, 156 Japanese, 73 Dane, 69 Polish, 55 English have visited there.

The economic bag packers enjoy the World Cup as staying at the campsite. In daytime, they look around Seoul and watch the games and come back to the campsite at night to have dinner and various events for friendship.

They cook together and share bacon sandwich. They also play mini soccer games with four players of each team in the name of ‘International Competition’.

At night, they watch television installed in a convenient shop at the campsite, and talk about soccer game.

Hence, there are lots of foreigners from different countries. Many Korean college students come to the campsite to learn foreign languages such as English and other languages. At 19th of June, three students of Sookmyung Women’s University visited there to have a conversation time.

As Korean National team advanced to the best 8 group after defeating Portugal and Italy that were once strongest candidates for the championship, the foreigners got into high spirits with supporting Korean Team.

When the game between Korea and Italy opened at 18th of June, about six hundred citizens and foreigners cheered Korean Team enthusiastically in front of super sized screen.

Choi In-ho (49), the General Manager of ‘Nanji Camp Site’ said “We suppose that foreigners are satisfied with the facilities such as 24 hours hot water system and clean toilets that are not second to any campsite of any country.”

jefflee@donga.com