So Nicole and I just wanted to give another update on our activities over here in South Korea. We still do not have internet so the photos and more regular postings are not yet possible. This post will be about our second walk-about adventure through our neighbourhood in Tanban-Dong, Daejeon.
From the bus stop by our house we could see a large hill in the middle of the neighbourhood. From the first week we were here I had been interested in making a trek over to get a view of the city. We asked the teachers at school about this hill and our South African friend Fred told us it was most likely a large athletic complex that had walking paths and a sizable hill on the property.
When we headed over there last weekend, we found out that this was in fact the case. We approached the closest side of the hill and found a 45 degree stair case leading up about 80 steps. From there, we saw walk paths of hard packed earth and wood going in all directions.
For the next 2 hours we strolled these paths, looking at the new wildlife, finding a small temple-like structure at the top of the hill, and snapping photos of the surrounding city (through trees before the leafs start budding). We also found a large military tribute statue that was quite impressive (photos to come) as well as some "heritage" looking sites (piles of stones, and large builders on smaller stone legs). We had a lot of fun and it was a beautiful day.
However, our greatest discovery came when we got to the center of the walking trails. We happened upon a large outdoor gym! There were chin up bars and numerous exercise machines. The place was filled with older Korean men and women doing slow repetitious exercise and strolling around the park. Now we know why all these people are so slim!!!
Nicole and I would like to get out to this exercise area more often and try to stay fit as well! I found out I can barely do 2 chin ups when I could do 25 in highschool... depressing. Nicole could do more than me!
Anyway, we ended the walk with a nice picnic of spicy tuna, crackers, cheese, apple and wine. It was a perfect afternoon with a perfect lady.
That's enough about our random walk. The next blog may be about the pink love seat we found on the side of the road walking home, and decided to carry 8 blocks back to our house. Yes, this is how shopping for furniture works for a teacher in Korea.
Over and out,
Joe and Nicole
Damn straight!!
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