Holy Joy Center's Korean Cultural Event at Geumjeong Mountain

Today, I joined my church on a cultural event: a trip to Geumjong Mountain, Busan's most popular hiking destination with thousands of people climbing it on weekends. Announcements about the event given on previous Sundays assured me that we would be taking a cable car up the mountain. 

I had never ridden a cable car before (besides the really tiny one at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, (but, seriously, that one hardly counts)), so I was pretty excited! Relying on the cable car, I decided to bring a big purse, and wear knee-high boots, the soles of which bear no pretense whatsoever of providing traction.

The first time I realized my mistake was when I met up with Russel, who carried nothing and was dressed like he was about to hike up the highest peak in the region (which, unbeknownst to me, we were going to do). He did a really bad job of stifling a look that I can only describe as a mixture of amusement and disappointment in my lack of appropriate fashion sense. We hopped on a bus down the island and met up with the rest at Holy Joy Center. 

Apparently, everyone else had gotten the memo that we would be taking the cable car down the mountain, and hiking up. No problem. I've done more ridiculous things before, like run in high heels to a job interview across the whole University District, and then limp back home, barefoot. 

Countries represented on this cultural event: South Korea, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Philippines, Cambodia, and the United States

A huge map of the equally huge expanse of land Geumjeong Mountain covers in Busan  

The beginning of our hike

A truly candid shot. Love this man's smile and laugh!

In case you're curious to know more beyond the pictures I'm posting here

Irregardless of their age, South Koreans are pretty active. I like their hiking culture, and am especially motivated when I see older folks breaking a sweat in full hiking gear, with their families to boot!

Trails for days!

Some of our wonderful hikers

One of the many photos Russel took of split rocks, some with trees growing in between them??

Another one taken by Russel in the brief time he had my camera

These boots may have garnered me many curious looks along the trail, but they did not fail me! I did not trip or fall or slide even once.  

Cute kids hiking with their families

Gorgeous trails everywhere...

Climbing up to the restaurant

Our view from the restaurant on top of the mountain

Father and daughter exploring a map together before lunch arrived

This tree was so vibrantly red it looked like it was on fire!

The cable car that would take us down the mountain. I repeat: down the mountain

Inside the cable car. It was crowded, with people pressed closely against each other like sardines. 

Our incredible, unobstructed view of a very small portion of the great city of Busan!

Our worship leader giving his little girl a piggy back ride. These are the kind of men I want to be surrounded by.

Beautiful family!

We emerged from the mountain mostly unscathed, with only one lady falling. I was right behind her and was able to catch her arm.

As if on cue, it started to pour the minute we got off the cable car. We all walked in the rain towards the subway station - enjoying a few more minutes with each other before parting ways. During this time, I was walking hand-in-hand with the pastor's wife, who was telling me I was beautiful, that she had gone to the Philippines before, and that I should meet her son, who is about the same age as me. Somewhere along the way, she had decided I would be her daughter-in-law and told her husband so. He nodded and kept a poker face on, while the others jokingly teased Russel about a possible competition. This lady was getting work done during a simple walk! I smiled and continued to hold my white umbrella over both our heads.

I absolutely enjoyed today's adventures! The times I have spent with folks older and much wiser than me have been few and far between within the last decade. This was quite the refreshing experience.

2013 Fall Conference | Saying Our Goodbyes Until the Next Conference

After last night's formal dinner, where Mrs. Shim gave her final address of the conference, we were on our own. Some folks left that evening, while most of us waited until the next morning/noon/afternoon to be on our way. 

I woke up too late to say goodbye to some of my friends, but made it in time for another delicious breakfast downstairs. During this brief moment, I managed to catch up with a handful of other ETAs. It was interesting hearing about the different experiences each of us has had and made since leaving for our assigned cities, schools, homestays. 

Here we were again about to leave each other, only to come back together in a few months (Thanksgiving Dinner with the Ambassador is just this next November, actually). 

ETAs waiting for our bus to arrive

Apparently, the bus we were waiting for was the one parked 10 feet away from us the entire time

Waiting for the KTX to take me back to Busan!

Here's some signage for you

The train was 15 minutes late

My bags

The three bags containing special bread/pancakes from Gyeongju

Arriving in Busan and being welcomed by this sign proclaiming the awesome fun to be had in the Philippines. I'll take that as a sign...

Until next time, fellow ETAs. I'm going home!

2013 Fall Conference | Enjoying a Serene and Sunny Afternoon On My Own

Welcome to day #3 of Fall Conference!

I woke up this morning motivated by the free breakfast the hotel would be serving downstairs. Most of the ETAs were hurriedly chomping away before taking off for a whole-day tour around Gyeongju's historic sites. Since I had already inadvertently gone on practically the same tour during Chuseok with my Korean family, I opted out of this experience and spent the day relaxing, reading, and wandering around the vicinity of the Commodore. 

But before all of that, I took a post-breakfast nap. Invigorated and feeling quite serene, especially with the absence of the other ETAs, I took my bag, stuffed my book of "50 Great Short Stories" inside, and walked out back. 

This is what my afternoon looked like: 

Decided to eat lunch here. Loved the view and the background noise of children laughing, parents calling out after them, and of just one very peaceful Sunday!

Super filling lunch. I made sure to eat slow and to savor every bite. 

This store, and this light - that is all.

If my sister had been on this walk with me, she might have asked me to take her photo by these steps.

South Korea, You are so beautiful!

Families spending time together, a wonderful picture on any day!

I was definitely not envious of these little kids on their mini motorized vehicles.

Sometimes, I forget South Korea has all four seasons. And then I look down and remember.

Everything was beautiful...

Favorite store of the day. I could have bought this whole store - it was that charming! Because I'm thrifty, I only ended up buying a watch.

A shop owner in the middle of a paint job? 

The columns and the shadows made me pause here before going on

I'm not sure what this building is, but it's impressive enough

View of the lake from the ground

Beautiful area where seemingly every family in the area were hanging out at this Sunday afternoon

Making my way back to the hotel

The pool was a yucky green, but I went up the steps anyway and imagined what it would have looked like if the water was fresh and clean.

Back on the fifth floor, still very quiet before the arrival of the rest of my cohort

I returned to the hotel only because it was getting chilly and my light sweater was not enough to carry me through a longer walk. After returning, I may or may not have taken a post-walk nap.