I want to see mountains again, Gandolf. Mountains!

In continuance with my sagaesque references, don't worry Harry Potter is next, I segue into my mountain fetish. The real reason for my choosing of Gyeongju, South Korea.

If you look on a map, you'll see that Gyeongju is surrounded by mountains; it's sort of in a valley with a river running through it. Across from HWY 7, the main road running through it, Sogeumgangsan Mtn. This morning, after being tired of moping around and feeling all emo, I decided to go exploring. I was going to go to Bomunho Lake, but that turned out to be a bit of a journey. While walking I took a few snaps of the foliage:

 LOVED This little Turtle Guy. IDK what he's for or anything, obviously I don't know Korean, yet. But I felt I was in the right place at the right time. He comforted me and made me smile.

This is the building where the Turtle Guy is located. Not sure what it is...

 The most amazing thing I've seen yet is the use of extra dirt space. Almost everywhere are gardens. Growing Leeks, Scallions, Peppers, etc. This, and the mandatory food waste pick up by the city, reminds me of myself a lot. In our old apt back in KC we used the two small patches of dirt in the courtyard as a garden. Again, being in the right place is a feeling I couldn't get rid of.

 I finally found an entrance to walk up one of the faces of the mountain. Now, this isn't Mount Fuji, more of the Appalachian Mtns. Green and leafy. I took the steps instead of the inclined path.

 These little stacks of stones were everywhere. I had just seen two kitty cats sleeking around. I felt pretty protected. Almost like Sammy and Lucy were there, watching me. Making sure I got where I needed to be.

 The weather here is cool, misty and eery a bit. This is a view of what I had just climbed up. Beautiful, eigh?

This is what I had come all the way to be in. Spindly trees and mossy rocks. Thousands of years old and each placed with care by some sort of force. Either by man or by God.












I felt more at peace then I had in a while. I think I'll be venturing here more often then not. It's only about 10 minutes from my front door. Which, mother, I will be taking pictures of soon. ;)

After my adventure I headed to Tesco again, only a block or two away from me, to get more dumplings, ice cream, Poky and some milk and cereal. I'm enjoying my bountiful booty now. As it's only noon as I write this, I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do for the rest of the day. Maybe figure out the bus system...that's what scares me the most. I just know I'm going to end up on the other side of the country if I'm not careful...

Con Cariño,
Michael