Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Masks, Summits, and Industrial Staples
We went on an awesome hike this weekend in Bukhansan Park. You might remember that a few weeks ago we hiked in the same park. This place is huge...tons of trails and summits...a great playground for us!
This particular hike led us through the forest, along lantern lined paths (see picture below), and then to a final rocky and steep section which required use of the iron rails that were provided to pull yourself up (very fun!). The view from the top was amazing...a 360 degrees, top of the world feeling.
After our trek out, all four of us were STARVING, as we definitely did not pack enough food to energize the entire trip. We decided to stop at a little road-side restaurant (they have them leading up to all of the mountains here...very smart!) and grab a bite to eat. Sam saw one that served a chicken/potato/veggie soup with rice that we love, so we headed in and took our seat. This soup is cool because it cooks on a burner on the table in front of you. It smelled delicious, looked delicious, tasted delicious, so we heartily dug in. A few minutes later, David stopped chewing, got a weird look on his face, and pulled a large industrial staple out of his mouth. The prongs were not folded over...they stuck straight out like a little death trap. We have no idea how that thing got into our soup...craziness. Luckily he felt it before swallowing! After that, we were more cautious with each bite, but still enjoyed the delicious Korean cooking.
Here are a few pictures from the day:
This is on the subway. The spring season brings with it dust that blows over from the Gobi dessert in China/Mongolia. Supposedly horrible for the lungs. Saturday was a high risk day, so we had every intention of wearing our masks (like the locals), but it was just too hot for hiking!
Some of the trails were lined with these little lanterns...as we neared a temple or a hermitage. We're not sure why they're up, but they're everywhere, and definitely add a nice, festive feeling (we think it might be for Buddha's birthday, but don't quote us on that!).
This is nearing the end of our hike...right before the super steep part to the summit. The rock formations were unreal...looked like they had just been stacked into huge piles.
Here are the helpful rails...difficult to do with a heavy backpack on, but really fun!
A few from the peak in one direction.
Seoul is behind us, but again is a little hazy (we think because of the Gobi dessert dust)
Here's Sam with the view in another direction from the peak...that was the rock peak that was beside ours (we'll do that one next time ;0). Cool rocks, eh!
This picture was taken by a funny little drunk man. That's his finger in the top, left corner. It was hilarious because at first he was pointing the camera at himself and trying to look backwards through the view-place (can't think of the technical term). He was pretty shaky and wobbly and unsteady, and I was afraid he was going to drop the camera. But hey, the picture turned out pretty good anyways!
Most mountains have a temple at the bottom of them. This one was all decked out with the lanterns...very pretty colors!
Here's another one of the decorated temple buildings.
This particular hike led us through the forest, along lantern lined paths (see picture below), and then to a final rocky and steep section which required use of the iron rails that were provided to pull yourself up (very fun!). The view from the top was amazing...a 360 degrees, top of the world feeling.
After our trek out, all four of us were STARVING, as we definitely did not pack enough food to energize the entire trip. We decided to stop at a little road-side restaurant (they have them leading up to all of the mountains here...very smart!) and grab a bite to eat. Sam saw one that served a chicken/potato/veggie soup with rice that we love, so we headed in and took our seat. This soup is cool because it cooks on a burner on the table in front of you. It smelled delicious, looked delicious, tasted delicious, so we heartily dug in. A few minutes later, David stopped chewing, got a weird look on his face, and pulled a large industrial staple out of his mouth. The prongs were not folded over...they stuck straight out like a little death trap. We have no idea how that thing got into our soup...craziness. Luckily he felt it before swallowing! After that, we were more cautious with each bite, but still enjoyed the delicious Korean cooking.
Here are a few pictures from the day:
This is on the subway. The spring season brings with it dust that blows over from the Gobi dessert in China/Mongolia. Supposedly horrible for the lungs. Saturday was a high risk day, so we had every intention of wearing our masks (like the locals), but it was just too hot for hiking!
Some of the trails were lined with these little lanterns...as we neared a temple or a hermitage. We're not sure why they're up, but they're everywhere, and definitely add a nice, festive feeling (we think it might be for Buddha's birthday, but don't quote us on that!).
This is nearing the end of our hike...right before the super steep part to the summit. The rock formations were unreal...looked like they had just been stacked into huge piles.
Here are the helpful rails...difficult to do with a heavy backpack on, but really fun!
A few from the peak in one direction.
Seoul is behind us, but again is a little hazy (we think because of the Gobi dessert dust)
Here's Sam with the view in another direction from the peak...that was the rock peak that was beside ours (we'll do that one next time ;0). Cool rocks, eh!
This picture was taken by a funny little drunk man. That's his finger in the top, left corner. It was hilarious because at first he was pointing the camera at himself and trying to look backwards through the view-place (can't think of the technical term). He was pretty shaky and wobbly and unsteady, and I was afraid he was going to drop the camera. But hey, the picture turned out pretty good anyways!
Most mountains have a temple at the bottom of them. This one was all decked out with the lanterns...very pretty colors!
Here's another one of the decorated temple buildings.# posted by Becky @ 10:09 AM 
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WOW!!! what a cool hike that was.
I loved the rocks....so interesting how they looked like little rocks leaning on each other. That is so cool. The lanterns were so pretty..very festive for sure!
I would put that hike up in the 10's for sure. Can't wait to see the next one! love you....mom
I loved the rocks....so interesting how they looked like little rocks leaning on each other. That is so cool. The lanterns were so pretty..very festive for sure!
I would put that hike up in the 10's for sure. Can't wait to see the next one! love you....mom
Hey Bec and Sam,
Loved the pics and hearing about your adventurous day!! The lanterns are so pretty! And so was the cute blond girl!! (that would be my amazing neice!)
Keep wearing those masks-(I am a bit of a germ freak!!) Love u, Auntie Sheila xoxo
Loved the pics and hearing about your adventurous day!! The lanterns are so pretty! And so was the cute blond girl!! (that would be my amazing neice!)
Keep wearing those masks-(I am a bit of a germ freak!!) Love u, Auntie Sheila xoxo
wow! what an awesome hike! i wish i could have done it. looks like an awesome view from the top too!!! i love that you were all decked out in your masks. haha. too funny. the great thing is that the locals probably thought it was normal. don't go getting any ideas of doing that when you get back here! haha.
love you guys!
love you guys!
Becky that photo with the drunk guy didnt turn out great. You guys all look really tense but good story behind it. CAPS for added affect - I CANT BELIEVE YOU ARE WEARING THE MASKS AS A GROUP!
xx
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