Last weekend, we went hiking with a group of people behind the president's house which is called "The Blue House." The first mountain, aka, the "warm up" mountain, was called Inwangsan. The "hike" was less like a hike and more like a stairmaster on steroids. The path up the mountain consisted of a zillion stone stairs, followed by a zillion more leading down the other side. However the view was beautiful from the top. You could see all of Seoul. It made the city look a lot smaller than it feels like when we are stumbling around trying to find our way.
After the "warm-up steps," we climbed Bugaksan, the peak behind the presidents house. To be allowed to climb the mountain, we first had to show our alien registration cards and get a special pass. This increased security is apparently due to past attempts to assassinate the president from behind the house. Thus, the hike was a little less natural than mountains we are used to hiking back home. This time there were not only man-made steps, but wooden steps with handrails. There were also motion sensors just outside to insure that no crazy foreigners leapt over the railing and made a run for it.
Once we made it to the top of this second round of stairs, we had a little lunch and enjoyed the view for a while, before heading back down the other side. At the bottom, we walked over to take a look at the president's house. We weren't incredibly impressed, but it could have been due to pure exhaustion.
After a nice little nap on the bus ride home, we had some dinner at a Chinese restaurant called Holy Chow. It was definitely no Seres Restaurant General Tso's, but it hit the spot after the long day. Plus it gets points for having an entertaining name!
Before the hike, we wandered around for a while. This guy was so random, I had to take a picture.
This guy invented Hangul, the Korean written language.
At the top of Inwangsan.
Seoul.
So...many...stairs...
This is the biggest magnolia tree I have ever seen!
At the top of Bugaksan.
Random doorway on the way down.
Cherry Blossom goodness!
5 comments:
A wonderful update, kids. I'll try to share it with my folks. Dad Stave
Can you guys bring me home a cherry blossom tree? Thanks. :D
I want a cherry blossom tree too!! I also want the 'informer', teehee. I can almost hear the kids squeal with Clayton chasing them!! Looks like so much fun for them. Tadpole catching is a right of passage. I am so glad you could pass the kids on...... do they get graded on tadpole catching? I sure hope not. :D
Mom Stave
Thanks so much for sharing on this blog. It appears you two are having a grand time!
It is good to see you so happy Audra, you truly deserve the happiness and joy that your pictures and words portray.
Eldon
The videos were great stuff Audra!
Next time ya gotta try the "Chicken Dance" with those kids. LOL!
Papa San
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