Good evening!
School has been catching up to me and making me more and more busy! Regardless, I still try to get out on the weekends and explore new things.

Last Sunday, where I left you, I was on my way to a hike.  We went up Mt Inwagsan, known as the mystical  mountain.  At the bottom was a temple, and on the way up, there were little shrines.  It was amazing to see the rocks balancing on the edge of the mountain! At the very top was a beautiful view of Seoul.  It looked as if the city went on for miles.  We could also see the Blue House, which is equivalent to the U.S. White House. There were two guards up there to make sure no one took a picture in the direction of the Blue House.  Imagine hiking up a mountain to go to work!  We made it back before the storm hit.  It came on Friday night but didn't affect us too badly!

This past Friday, we hiked up Mt Hwagaesa, the tallest mountain, which leads to Bukhansan National Park (on the top of the mountain).  We did not go ALL the way to the top (that required mountain climbing gear!)  We did get very high up to the point where the air was thinning!  There wasn't much of a view because of all the trees.  On the way down, we managed to stumble across a flowing lake and mini waterfall! It was a such a pretty sight.

On Saturday, our Ewha PEACE buddies took the international students on a farm experience! The bus ride took 2 hours!  When we finally arrived, we were broken up into 4 groups.  Our group started off making rubber band guns out of chopsticks, zipties, and of course, rubber bands.  The next station was pounding dok, or mochi (a ricecake).  We all got a chance to pound the rice to make it sticky.  When it was ready, it was rolled in soy powder, cut, and served to us.  It was delicious!  The third station was digging for sweet potato.  Our group dug up buckets full of sweet potato.  It was just like digging for gold, and was a lot of fun.  The final station was cooking potato pancakes.  We were well fed that day!

On Sunday was another hike! This one was to Mt Yongmasan.  At the bottom was supposed to be the largest man-made waterfall in Asia!  However, it was off that day =[  Anyway, the mountain wasn't as high as the others, but it was sure hot! We had a nice view of the river and downtown Seoul.  At the top, there was an old man selling icecream! He must be in really good shape to hike everyday and carry icecream!  We continued on to Mt Achasan, which was the next mountain over.  There wasn't too much a view at this peak, however, there were LOTS of people picnicing and drinking soju! They even set up tables to place their food on.  Amazing!

What gets me is that half way up the mountain (or sometimes at the top), there are workout stations! The workout stations are fully equipped with weights and even hula hoops.  The equipment is all well maintained and there are lots of people using them!  Even the old ladies here are in great shape! As my friends and I are huffing and puffing up the mountain, the old ladies are passing by us as if we are slow! Ha!

This upcoming weekend is Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).  We wet next Monday and Wednesday off.  My mom and aunty are coming in tomorrow (Thursday night) to visit! I am very excited to see them! I have let them decide what they want to do, and it is my job to plan it and take them there! We will see what this weekend has in store =]