hiking

Today I climbed Mount Yongmasan. I think this has been my favorite day in Seoul so far. I was so overjoyed while I was hiking that I had to force myself to concentrate. A few times I almost fell off the side of the mountain just because I was so distracted. Haha, that would have been great!

So here I am at the beginning of the hike.


And here you can see Seoul. This is my home. It's definitely something to look at isn't it?





About an hour later...

"Are we there yet???"




"You want me to climb what???"


Victorious! I made it. Hooray! There was a man at the top selling popsicles. I wanted to kiss him! But I didn't.
I was enjoying my melon popsicle and then people starting hollering at me. I had climbed all that way and I still hadn't stood on the official top! So I climbed the last bit and a kind man took my picture.


And then they pointed out that although I was standing at the official top of the mountain, this rock was actually higher. So I had to move over to the rock so that I could really truly say I made it to the top of Mount Yongmasan.
My legs were shaking.


Here is the breathtaking view from the top. It's such a change from what I see every day. This moment, this view changed my heart a little. Seoul became more beautiful at that moment. It's strange to think that this mountain is right here in Seoul. Walking the streets around town you would never guess it.


And then I started hiking down. Down was more difficult than up.


This was a neat pavillion about half way up the mountain.


Down, down, down...


And here ladies and gents...is a smile of accomplishment!