Goals Set for Korean Adventures

There's a lot of things I love. 

I've really learned to dwell on those moments that absolutely enfold you, that fill you with that feeling, that cliche feeling of love at first sight that turns the mind off and every thought is gone, and all there is, is you and that feeling. 

It's not something totally unreal; it's always been there, those sublime moments. About six years ago I took a course in Romantic Literature back in UH that changed the way I viewed and appreciated these moments.These moments can range from coffee dates with friends, a skype call home, a good book, cuddling with the pups, to traveling adventures. These moments can happen wherever I am, wherever I go.

However, there is a place where I know I am always able to loose my bearings of the routine; a place where I know I can loose myself in the moment and just be, and love it.

Mountains, mountains, mountains. 

I've always loved them. I've always believed that if I'm surrounded by mountains, I'm somewhere I can call home, I'm somewhere I can be free and at peace, and I'm somewhere I can let go of thinking, of that constant thinking that can so easily become nagging and frustration.

Seoul has so many mountains. Little ones, but mountains none the less. Hiking is a huge pastime for Koreans, and there is not a single day that goes by without you seeing a cluster of old Korean ladies or gents all dressed in their brightly colored hiking getup. If you were to walk for about 30 minutes heading anywhere from anyplace in Korea, you'd see them, and all you have to do is follow them and they'll lead you straight to a beautiful hiking destination. Right in the middle of the city, or at such a convenient distance away, they're insanely accessible. That is why I've decided to set a little challenge for myself.

By the end of this year, I'll get to hike at least - AT LEAST - 10 mountains in South Korea. I am sure I'll be able to surpass this goal, gladly. Why not dedicate yourself to the things you love?

So far, I've completed a fifth of this challenge; both really small mountains, but what beautiful days those were.

Yongmasan
Date: June 5th, 2016
Elevation: 348m 

We took on a little hill passing itself for a mountain. We hopped on the subway, stayed there for about 20-30 minutes and hopped off at Yongmasan Subway Station. There are so many of these little mountains all over the city, I haven't really gotten over that.

We crossed through an apartment complex and headed up. One of the main attractions I had read about this little mountain was a man made waterfall on the way up to it. We stopped by and it was turned off, but even turned on I doubt it's insanely impressive; more of a fountain than a waterfall, really. I appreciate the fact that it's an attempt to make this mountain more appealing and attractive, but I feel like mountains are majestic just as they are - no need to add on any artificial waterfalls or whatnot. 

We found a quiet path. Again, being in the second most populated city in the world and being able to find little bubbles of quietness and peacefulness is mind blowing to me. We stayed on this quiet, empty path for a while before we found the little steps and railings. There is where we passed through a couple of Korean hikers along the way.

The hike was short, fairly easy, but a hike and a mountain non the less. Met a strange Korean man who claimed to be from Mercury with the power to turn people into ice by just thinking it. Didn't question it - never question anything. 

It has been - since I got here - a couple of really cloudy days here in Korea. Or actually, cloudy isn't the right word - smoggy. But on this particular day, it wasn't so terrible and we got some pretty amazing view of the city on our way up. 

First mountain down!



NamhansanseongDate: July 3rd, 2016
Height: 480m
Namhansanseong was a completely different experience from Yongmansan. It just went to show that no mountain, no hike, no day ever is ever the same.

Namhansanseong is a fortress up a mountain, actually, and littered along the way up are some shrines, some temples, some wild snakes (sunbathing in the pretty lined up stones). There was little research done on my side regarding the fortress before going there. I did learn that it has survived through battles with the Mongols (who didn't those guys fight!?) and the Chinese years after. 

It looked like a mini tiny version of the Great Wall of China, except much less preserved and not as great, of course. But other than the fortress, there were a couple of shrines and a bunch of stone pillars. Found some of these stone pillars with some odd looking baby figurines. Didn't quite figure out what those were all about...

This is probably a place I'll return to. We didn't get to walk through the entire fortress because of time. Although this wasn't necessarily a big hike either, it was a day of a lot of walking - and four days later my legs are still feeling a bit tired. It's a pretty steep climb up the fortress and then walking around the fortress itself made for a 6-7 hour day of walking. 

I really am excited for this new goal I've set for myself. I'm excited for the next mountain, the next adventure, the next accomplishment and the next moment of just being.