Week 4: Teaching, hiking and the museum

So we have finished our first week of teaching and it went really well. The kids have been pretty good for the most part and we are getting used to the routine and the programs that we are teaching. The days can be pretty hectic with cramming so much into a 40 minute class and then rushing off to the next one. Don and I have both been evaluated by our supervisor and the feedback has been good for both of us. It was a busy week and we were definitely happy when Friday came around!

Grocery store close to our building

These stairs and escalators take you about halfway to ground level

Gusan Subway station platform

On Saturday, Don was invited to go hiking, so he met up with a hiking group and ended up climbing one of the tallest mountain in the Seoul area! I will let him tell you about how it went.

So a friend from work (Brian) asked me if I wanted to go hiking with him on Saturday and being the adventurous person I am I partook. I asked him on Friday how long it was going to be and he said maybe 4 hours, 2 on the way up and 2 on the way down. Apparently it was supposed to be a beginner hike, at least that’s what it said in the email. However, it wasn’t a beginner hike and it ended up lasting 8 hours. A full day of “hiking”, really it was more like mountain climbing.

So Brian and I headed to Mangwolsa Station on the subway at 10 am. We arrived there at about 11:15 and met up with the others from the Facebook hiking group. After letting the organizer know that we were there, we went across the street to get some money and snacks at the local 7 Eleven. As I was paying for my goods and Brian was getting some cash from the ATM, I lost sight of the group, which was across the street. Brian quickly popped his head out to see if he could see where they went and they were about 300m down the street. We then followed in quick pursuit because we didn’t want to get lost before we even started!

Mangwolsa Temple

Buddhist bell

Along the first few kilometres and throughout the rest of the hike we chatted and met new friends who shared in our experiences. We all seemed to fit into one of three groups: English teachers, friends visiting English teachers or Korean Foreigners who have returned to be with family or work. The incline began as sloped pavement and brick, then changed to wooden and rock steps, and finally to steep rocks with metal and rope railings once we reached the top. The climb to the final peak of 740m with the route we took (as there are many) was definitely not a beginner hike but none the less it was a great time. It was a high of about 35^oC with moderate humidity and everyone was sweating and constantly wiping their brow, but the vistas were worth it.

Apartment buildings pop up really quickly around here

Taking a break

Brian

We made it to the top, finally, after about 4 hours of climbing and continued to skirt the ridgeline, up and down, until we reached the 740m summit. Along the whole hike we were surrounded by other Korean hikers that were decked out way more than us novice hikers. They had sweat towels, hiking poles, full lunches, etc. I was definitely envious of there preparedness as I was now without water and rationing my few snacks. However, being in a big friendly group we all shared our food and water.

Some well prepared hikers having a picnic

Helicopter pad

A bunker on the top of the mountain

Surprisingly, on the decent, those who braved the entire hike and stayed with the main body were treated to a special homage to Mike, the organizer of these events. This was his last hike, as he was heading to China, and a fellow friend opened up his pack to unveil a fine spread. Wine, champagne, crackers, and hard to find cheeses, feta, goat, and brie all kept cool. It was quite a treat and I and others contributed what we had to share and we all had a nice break.

Mike's going away party

Soon after we were on an easy decline to the bottom, reminiscing of the hike and sharing in who we were and where we were from. I soon left the pack as they headed for supper since I wanted to get home to Nat as she would probably be worried about me, since it wasn’t supposed to take as long as it did. An hour and a half later I was home and with one hell of a story to tell.

On Sunday we decided to head over to the National Museum of Korea. We figured this is a good time since they have free admission and pay day isn’t until next week. We had driven past it on our bus tour but didn’t get a very good look at it. It is huge and the architecture is pretty nice. We took a few pictures both inside and out of the building.

First, we walked around the first floor of the museum which showcases archaeological finds. We found it pretty interesting how some things seem to turn up in many parts of the world and are pretty similar, such as tools and weapons.

After exploring the first floor we were getting hungry so we decided to go in search of the food court. There is a nice cafeteria type food court with very decent prices (total cost with drinks was about $12) close to the entrance of the museum. I ordered rice and curry and Don had pork cutlet, both meals were very yummy.

After lunch we explored the second and third floors of the museum, where there were exhibits of Buddhist paintings and sculpture, life in Vietnam, Japanese and Chinese art, and Calligraphy. There were some really interesting pieces that gave us some insight into Korea and the rest of South East Asia’s history.

Vietnamese fishing traps on a bicycle

Other than our tourist explorations we have also found a couple department stores (E-mart and Kim’s Club), both of which are massive. They are both multi-storied, with between 6 and 9 floors. You can get everything from groceries to clothes to house wares and more.

On the way to E-mart

Don eating his new favourite snack