Gyeryongsan

Yesterday I took an hour bus ride to Gyeryongsan (san means mountain) with my friends, Josh and Tara. Despite the fact that the trail to the nearest peak was covered in ice, we prevailed and made it to the top. We caused quite a commotion among the Korean hikers, because of our shoes. First of all, we didn’t have proper hiking shoes (I need to invest. The Shocks just aren’t cutting it), or the crampons (tiny little attachable spikes) that everyone was wearing. We kept passing groups of hikers that after their initial excited reaction of seeing us, would shake their heads disapprovingly, point to our shoes and say, “dangerous, dangerous.” It wasn’t bad hiking up, but on our way down Tara and I kept falling. After we both landed on our backs, the cutest Korean couple came scurrying over to make sure we were okay. They then each took off one of their crampons and their gloves and gave them to us to use until we got to the bottom. Just another example of how the people here are so incredibly generous…or maybe they were just fascinated my Tara’s magical pants (see pictures below).

My new friend Tara. She's a hardcore snowboarder from Portland. She hardly brought any clothes to Korea, so she could have room for her snowboard. We went on a search for some sweats that would fit her (she's tall), and this is what we found. Hot.

Of course we'd randomly see Josh near my apartment (he lives in a different dong: area of the city) with a helmet on his head, carrying a blanket. We talked him into hiking with us.

I don't stand a chance next to those sexy pants.

Tour guide?







Who doesn't want a picture with the crazy waygooks (foreigners)? Obviously the man trying to pass by. Look at that annoyed expression...The lady taking our picture told us to say "whiskey" instead of "cheese." Did I mention I love Korea?

Almost to the top. Nice little rattail flapping in the breeze.

We made it!