is the Korean word for mountain). After assessing the many options I had for entering the park, I decided on coming in from the East side (near Dobongson-san), where there was not only a mountain top but several Buddhist Temples along the way.
Once I arrived at my subway stop, I couldn't find the transfer bus I read about on the net anywhere. When I finally found the bus, I literally rode it for a single step (about 20 seconds) and that was the end of the bus route. So I blew a buck, but at least I traveled in the right direction.
I entered a ranger's station, tried to talk to the ranger in Korean, but he preferred to speak to me in English. He helped me plan me my hike out. A few steps later, I reached my destination.
In a drive to protect their wilderness areas, the Koreans use cartoon characters as rhetorical gestures to persuade people to stay on the trail....kind of like Smokey the Bear, but they're everywhere.
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If you notice, in that last sign it says "No dump garbage." Part of me (my Yang) wanted to ask the park if they were hiring for proper English editors, but the other half (my Yin) was just happy they got the point across.
The first temple along the way was dedicated to a famous woman:
Many women were meditating there, and there was a gift shop (unfortunately everything was in Korean). When the Seoul Buddhist English Library opens in the next few weeks, I hope to learn more about it because not every day do you see Buddhist shrines in honor of women.
I trucked on...eventually finding a trail of lanterns leading upwards where there was apparently a chanting ritual occurring. Naturally, I followed.
And followed.....
Until I eventually reached a meditation chamber
I couldn't figure out where the chanting was coming from (I later found out it was a recording), but I decided to take off my shoes and sit and count my breaths for a few minutes. The place was so peaceful and secluded; I never had a meditation experience like it.
I must have done something right (or wrong) because almost immediately after... it rained.
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Rain poured. And I was still not yet at the top.
But I had come so far already, and I was not about to turn back.
Probably a bad move. Don't know why I did it. Probably the yang...the alpha-male hidden deep inside of me.
Needless to say, when I came to the top, dark clouds covered any good view.
But here's my apex:
And as soon as I ventured back down, it started pouring.
Mountain hiking in Korea is no beginner's sport. There were times I had to hold onto a slippery railing with my hands and brace my feet. It was scary, exhilarating, and tiring all at the same time.
Like any "come-down" period, the time was heavy. And the pounding bang-bang of the cistern upon the earth only added to it.
As if on cue, the rain died down when I reached my last temple:
Who were these figures? Were they all monks that died in a storm much like the one of which I had just been a part?
When I reached rock bottom, I decided to satisfy that pesky alpha male inside of me by eating grilled eel (which is very popular among Korean men and is believed to be an aphrodisiac due to its rich content of zinc).
A few days later in Seoul, I found this interesting Tea and Meditation shop, where you can order tea and then pick from a selection of audio/visual meditation sessions. I chose a music meditation called "Strengthening Your Resolve." I don't know if it was the tea or the meditation but whatever it was, it did wonders.
As I put this meditation experience side by side with the one before the rain, an interesting palette of contrast comes up. One side is carefully orchestrated but soft, serene and peaceful; the other is natural but loud and heavy.
It's worth considering...
Which is the Yen?
And which is...
The yang.
댓글 2개:
so did you request this time off? Or did they just give it to you?
holidays are frequent here..and they happen sporadically. I do get 10 days of vacation off anytime on my own though.
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