Spotlight on Health and Foolish Habits: Episode 3

Korea stinks. Literally. And, as summer approaches and it heats up outside, it becomes all the more aromatic. Some nights, a stench floats up to the 5th floor, in through my window, and wakes me with its ghastly potency.

This is because there are open sewer grates every 15 feet or so, assuring that there will be no breath of fresh air until you reach a major thoroughfare. Residents and shop keepers have made efforts to curb the smell by placing welcome mats, car mats, wood, and cardboard over the grates.

I asked someone why they don't make solid coverings for the openings. They looked at me with a straight face and said, "Because it would explode if it was covered up! It has to have air."

I guess it gives new meaning to the phrase "explosive diarrhea."