I just thought this guy was cute. He's guarding one of the palaces I visited.
This is the view from a meditation nook I found yesterday (was that just yesterday? the days have been quite long here). I reached the spot by one subway ride, walking through a construction site (one of the many in Seoul), then finding my way through a temple, and finally hoofing my way up a path (why did I think it was wise to wear flip flops?). I spent a good part of the day sitting up there -- thinking, reading, listening to the birds, looking at the sites, listening to the music of the monks. It's refreshing to be able to find a place of peace in as big and hectic as a city as Seoul.
This is the view from my sunset spot, I guess two nights ago now. I walk down to Han river park, find a nice spot in the grass and settle in (with the 100s, if not 1000s, of other people that have the same idea). Usually I have an interesting interaction with a small child -- one day a 3 or 4 yr old ran in circles around me until her mother picked her up; another day a school boy through his paper airplane right into me. Ah Koreans -- they can't ignore a whitie.
Today was a great day -- the first part of the day was spent hiking in Bukhansan national park, which is just north of Seoul. After getting there (an issue arose with the bus, but we made it) we followed all the other hikers up the track (and there were many many other hikers) we meandered through the woods (not the bush; no longer down unda). The terrain was different than I expected -- quite dry and rocky, but big rocks with trees growing out of them.
Ben and I at the top of the peak. Check out my totally sweet visor!
This is a funny sign. Apparantly we need to be wary of bears falling off of the mountain.
After a good tramp we came back into the city, ate (I had bibimbap, my first since I've gotten here, surprisingly) and went to a chimchilbang. Ah, no trip to Korea isn't complete without the visit to a chimchilbang -- it's the sauna/bath house/place to take a nap. I really enjoyed it -- I don't know if it's that I just like being naked, or sleeping, or bathing, or if I was really just feeling it after the nap, but. The experience existed as it did and it made a good day great.
Cheers.
2 comments:
had to look up bibimbap in wikipedia, sound good. you look great, the visor is indead awesome
Hi Katie, This is a blast from your distant past -- your old Uncle Charley checking in from Michigan. We were just with your parents at the wedding of Abby and Jake, and your dad said I should get back in touch. You have a great blog, and you'll be interested to know that Natalie hasn't worn make-up for at least 20 years. So far Homeland Security is content to let her remain in the country. I'll check in periodically. Safe journey, space fan!
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