Hiking = Happy Heart

When it is 81 degrees and 88% humidity, hiking up the side of a mountain always seems like a good idea, right? It was the perfect way to relax this weekend!! As it turns out, all it takes is four subway stops to get to a national park...oh Seoul, just another treasure in this city :)

Matt and Charlie who taught here last year are training for a crazy awesome hiking trip over the fall break and invited my friend Becky and I to go with them on their day hike. It was sticky, hot, and steep...and worth every moment! It was actually a really great trail that leads up a mountain that usually offers amazing views of the city (even my apartment building!) but it was a bit too humid for that. Instead of great views from the top, we were met by a layer of low clouds which was SO beautiful. 

On the way up we took a break at an old temple and walked around it. I was just so amazed that all the wood and supplies to build it had to have been carried up at some point in time. It was quite a trek without any extra weight and some of those logs would be nearly impossible to carry up.

We got the most beautiful view of the rocky mountain top behind the temple...looks like a movie set rather than a real place!

 

Matt kept saying 'and this isn't even the steep part' each time the trail got a bit more difficult. When the very last scurry to the top involved pulling ourselves up by ropes and poles, I realized what he meant the whole way up. It was a fun hike and a beautiful setting! Sitting on top of the mountain, looking parallel to a layer of clouds made the whole world disappear and was so peaceful! 

After a rest at the top we drug ourselves back down the mountain, gross and dripping with sweat. (Yay humidity...).

The picture to the right is to make my brother proud/slightly jealous. Maybe jealous enough to come visit and go hiking to the top of a mountain?? :) hint hint Mateo!



 At the bottom we rewarded ourselves with lunch at a local restaurant that makes their own tofu. We shared some amazing sundubu and a spread of tofu and side dish wraps. The only great surprise here was the side dish of pig ears and intestines...I'll try anything once...but only once! 

As one last treat before getting back on the subway, Matt bought us all a box of freshly roasted chestnuts. By freshly roasted I mean we got to see the man roast them and scoop them into the box. As the first time I had ever tried them, I must say I am a fan! (Anything after the intestines seems even more amazing!) 

A day later I'm feeling the muscular effects but also the happiness that comes from accomplishing something, new adventures, and a little time in the forest on the top of a mountain! 

Looking forward to meeting my students this week and a shout out to the Bennett teachers and students who are finishing their first day as I finish this post! 

As usual, thanks for reading!