songnisan: round 2 (part 2 of 2)

A step-by-step instructional guide on how to hike: Korean-style.

1. Visit your local sporting-goods store and purchase the latest equipment. A basic package must include hiking shoes, slicky pants, and a wind breaker-all in matching colours. For those more committed, make sure to buy the ultimate package including an underarmor-type shirt, backpack, walking-pole, whistle, flash light, fisherman's hat, and microfiber towel.

2. After being properly attired, locate the mountain you wish to climb. Make sure to go on a weekend when half of Korea (all similar outfits) will be with you.

3. Begin hiking, but do not climb more than two kilometers (preferably one) before stopping at a conveniently located rest stop for Korean pancakes and other refreshments.

4. If you are the group leader, it is your duty to randomly blow your whistle to make sure your group is within earshot.

5. Note to those accustomed to switchbacks: there are none.

6. Enjoy your day!

The hiking trip up Songnisan Mountain was a great experience and the trail looked a lot different with the fall leaves. The weather was cooler and I took the hike at a slower pace than the last time I made the hike. Hiking in, we hiked the same trail I had hiked a couple of months ago. Coming out, however, we took a different path that was very beautiful. For those familiar with Glacier National Park, part of the loop coming out was similar to the Highliner Trail. While there were a TON of other people on the trail (Avalanche Lake on a busy summer day times ten!) I loved being in a different environment with my fellow school-workers. The whole hike was a great seven and a half miles. The pictures will tell the rest of the story.

 

heading out in the morning: the 6th grade 

teacher Kim Gi San), Yuna, and Song Sem

 pretty lake

 

i love this tree growing right out of a rock. i want to 

come back in twenty years and see what has happened. 

 

the view was great from the top

 

just me and nature...

 

if you look closely, you can see all the people 

at the summit (which we did not go to)

 

one of the many rest stops

 

a map of our jouney

 

fall colours

songnisan: round 2 (part 1 of 2)

I was not quite sure what to expect for the teacher's retreat this weekend. All I knew was that it would be overnight and that we would hike in Songnisan. (Quick reminder: I hiked to the top of Songnisan during orientation with other Fulbrighters). So, being slightly hesitant but excited nonetheless, I packed my overnight bag and met the school bus in front of my apartment complex. There were about fifteen school members, including the principal, vice principal, janitor, and a couple of secretaries. I was relieved to see Yuna and Song Sem, the two teachers I am closest to.

The bus ride began with a couple of teachers passing out gallon-sized zip lock bags full of goodies for the retreat. Water, gum, three tangerines, honeyed sliced ginseng, and hand wipes were all included. Then, just as I was settling in for my normal bus-trip nap, one of the teachers cranked the Korean music past the suggested volume level and the PE teacher started dancing and shouting up and down the aisle of the bus. The other teachers clapped with the music (all I have to say about that is two and four, guys, two and four). Not to be outdone, the principal got out a whistle (yes, a whistle-we will touch upon that subject again) and made a strobe light out of his flashlight. I now understand the interior decorations of Korean buses.

After a little over an hour of the bus dance party, we arrived at the Korean president's vacation home. The grounds were beautiful with a lake, fountain, golf course, garden, and jogging track. I am in love with the fall colours and smells. There are not nearly as many colourful trees in Hongseong. We spent a leisurely afternoon walking around and taking pictures.

Once again boarding the buses, we had another musical leg of our journey followed by dinner and checking into the motel. I figured I would have a relaxing evening of games in my motel room with Yuna and Song Sem when I heard a whistle being blown in the hallway. It was the principal, calling us to gather for our trip to the Noraebang!! As we were walking out the door, Yuna asked me if I knew of The Sound of Music. When I responded with, "The hills are alive..." she pointed down the hallway towards the principal and whispered, "The captain." We all laughed.

Now, some may be wondering what Noraebang is: think karaoke on steroids. Flashing lights, loud music, a disco ball, a stage, and extra reverb in the mic. The best part is that a party rents a Noraebang room just for the group. There were even some English songs in the files, so I got to sing with my fellow teachers. This was my first Noraebang experience, but I laughed a lot and had a good time.

The evening concluded with a couple of games of Uno with Yuna and Song Sem followed by a great conversation.

 

the lake on the walk to the president's home

 

Song Sem and me on the bamboo bench

pretty sequoias

sunset approaching

posing near one of the bronzes of a previous president

Alanna and Mary: look closely, apparently someone else wants persimmons

 

evening silhouette 

Yuna and Song Sem

Yuna and me

change is in the air

I stepped out of my apartment this morning to welcome the smell of snow. Mind, snow has not yet fallen, it just smells like it is coming. Crisp, clean, and freezing the inside of the nose. I love the necessity of a heavier coat and the excuse for a scarf and gloves. And then there are the coloured leaves gathering in piles on the sidewalk. Let's just say that I have been in Southern California for too many "falls" and "winters".

Chaos adequately defines yesterday. After a full day of teaching (six classes), I had a short respite before heading off to Taekwondo for the most intense workout I have had since moving to Hongseong. I worked on a kick that begins as a front kick and then pivots partway through, turning into a side kick. For the whole hour. Exiting the academy happy but exhausted, I then hopped in a cab to attend my first Korean language class in Hongseong. But the driver didn't understand the address! I paid eight thousand won to be dropped off at my co-teacher's house so she could drive me to the language class. Em (my friend who lives in Yesan) joined me for the class, so at least I didn't walk in late alone. (Just as a general note, I would much rather skip out on any given event than walk in late). I was a little weirded out by seeing this high of a concentration of Westerners in Hongseong, but I am really excited to be able to meet other foreigners. The class went well and the journey home was uneventful.

Currently my days are busy but fulfilling, even though I am a bit more homesick than I expected. I keep wondering how cold it will get here this winter. :)