Seoul_to

I finished my adult class last Fri. and was quickly rushed (really) out the door and we were soon on our way to the subway. After a slightly long wait, we finally arrived at the train station stop and headed out to catch out train. We grabbed a quick bite, BK style, and were on our way, packs on backs and ready to go. The train departed as scheduled and I was feeling excited and a little nervous wondering what was to come. You see with Coreans, generally they only tell you things on a need to know basis. We got to Jirisan (pronounced gee-ree-sahn) at around 5:30 and had to catch a taxi to our first spot. Little did I know that we'd soon be hiking an hour and a half before even stopping for food or rest. Not fun. Trust me. I was wondering at that point whey I came. I stopped at the peak of one mountain and I proceeded to bitch that I really did need sleep. One hour of crappy sleep on the train wouldn't suffice. This is when I was told (needed to know) that we really wouldn't be sleeping again till that night. What?! I pitched a short fit and they let me sleep, although rather fitfully, in a nearby building while they cooked. I felt a little better after my power nap and breakfast and was trying to still figure out why I really wanted this. Things did get better though. Emily, our "guide", as she knew the park and planned our trip, took us down the mountain about 20 min. and then we headed on another all rocky, downhill descent of around 6 km. Now....6 km really isn't that far.....only a little over 3 miles. But.......6 km for a novice hiker all downhill going over rocks with a pack gets to suck after a while. I sucked it up though and thought about how much harder it would be going uphill. It took us a while and my legs were like jello after, but finally we got down and it was lunchtime around 1pm. The problem was, there was no where to cook, so we were again left walking. Emily and Christine, being the funny Corean gals they are though, hailed an SUV on the road and who gave us a lift into town, but a monk! Yeap, a monk, in a car nice enough that I only hope to drive one day. So much for a meager lifestyle. Oh yeah....the bottom of the trail was at a Buddist temple. But....I just grinned and got in as they did and soon we were dropped off at a small area where we got some cheap food. By this time, the middle of the afternoon, I was more than a little tired, but was toughing things out.

To be continued.....

Seoul_to_Soul
		~ Monday, March 31, 2003 I finished my adult class last Fri. and was quickly rushed (really) out the door and we were soon on our way to the subway. After a slightly long wait, we finally arrived at the train station stop and headed out to catch out train. We grabbed a quick bite, BK style, and were on our way, packs on backs and ready to go. The train departed as scheduled and I was feeling excited and a little nervous wondering what was to come. You see with Coreans, generally they only tell you things on a need to know basis. We got to Jirisan (pronounced gee-ree-sahn) at around 5:30 and had to catch a taxi to our first spot. Little did I know that we'd soon be hiking an hour and a half before even stopping for food or rest. Not fun. Trust me. I was wondering at that point whey I came. I stopped at the peak of one mountain and I proceeded to bitch that I really did need sleep. One hour of crappy sleep on the train wouldn't suffice. This is when I was told (needed to know) that we really wouldn't be sleeping again till that night. What?! I pitched a short fit and they let me sleep, although rather fitfully, in a nearby building while they cooked. I felt a little better after my power nap and breakfast and was trying to still figure out why I really wanted this. Things did get better though. Emily, our "guide", as she knew the park and planned our trip, took us down the mountain about 20 min. and then we headed on another all rocky, downhill descent of around 6 km. Now....6 km really isn't that far.....only a little over 3 miles. But.......6 km for a novice hiker all downhill going over rocks with a pack gets to suck after a while. I sucked it up though and thought about how much harder it would be going uphill. It took us a while and my legs were like jello after, but finally we got down and it was lunchtime around 1pm. The problem was, there was no where to cook, so we were again left walking. Emily and Christine, being the funny Corean gals they are though, hailed an SUV on the road and who gave us a lift into town, but a monk! Yeap, a monk, in a car nice enough that I only hope to drive one day. So much for a meager lifestyle. Oh yeah....the bottom of the trail was at a Buddist temple. But....I just grinned and got in as they did and soon we were dropped off at a small area where we got some cheap food. By this time, the middle of the afternoon, I was more than a little tired, but was toughing things out. To be continued..... posted by ~B~ at 5:45 AM