Back to the mountains

Things have started to get back to normal in Suwonville. All of my friends have come back from their holiday vacations and life as usual has re-commenced. Yesterday I finally returned to the mountains to do some long anticipated hiking. I hadn't been in the mountains since before the trip to America, so I had been anxious to go. First I had to wait for my mountaineering partner to get back from her training session in Nepal. I had sent Gina to Mount Everest on a trekking expedition so she could better keep up with me. Seriously, I have to commend the girl for spending two weeks on an elephant with a sherpa while staying in places without (gasp) electricity. To think I spent my vacation in Missouri. Who's the more adventurous here?

Gina has an idea to visit every national park in Korea. Since she couldn't find anyone else to go, she has decided to drag me along on her expeditions. Besides, it's nice to get out of Suwon on the weekends and discover new parts of Korea. On this occasion we went to Chiaksan (remember kids, "san" means mountain) national park in Kangwan-do. It took about a two hour bus ride to get there. So, at 6:30 Saturday morning, when my other friends were just rolling in from the bars, I took a taxi to the bus station. We started off at the temple at the base of the very wide mountain. Here is the gratuitous buddha statue picture. I'll include one every time just to prove to everyone back home how they all look alike. It is much colder in Kangwan-do, hence the snow. I came prepared with eisen, so I could easily traverse the icy trails. By the way, "eisen" are steel studs that you attach to your hiking boots for grip in snow and ice. Not only did these things come in handy, but I also said the word "eisen" (pronounced "eye zen") at least 400 times that day.

The hike was long and strenuous, but very rewarding. Hiking through snow and ice expended much more energy than previous climbs, but I kept up with the Everest (hiked around, didn't climb) alum just fine. Years of playing soccer will physically prepare one for just about anything. Here is yours truly standing on the peak. There will be many more of these shots to come. There's no feeling quite like standing on the peak of a mountain looking down on everything within 360 degrees. I love the unique respite of living in the city that comes with being on top of a mountain. I love Suwon... but, when one lives there a while they learn to cherish clean air.
Here is a shot of the mountaineers at the peak monument. Notice how the sky is a different shade? It's because I discovered picasa and doctored the picture to make us look cooler. In the lower left corner, you'll see some Koreans. My only beef with the last two mountains I climbed was the crowd at the top. I love when the top is a quiet, serene experience, as it was on Gayasan. However, at the top of this mountain were groups of Koreans. I have to digress here for a moment and say that Koreans must be the loudest people on the planet. My students will practically yell at each other from three feet away, and I have the sense that Koreans are completely uncomfortable with quiet. Often they talk loud and at length about trivial things in small spaces without any concept of other people. Not to say this is rude--it's not. This is just the way they roll. It's odd, and it drives me a little crazy sometimes, but that's just the way it is. Anway, I meant that to be more an observation than a complaint. It is a little odd to be on the top of a mountain after a long hike--a place I would expect to be quiet and serene--and find it full of animated groups of Koreans cooking ramyan (korean ramen noodles) and yelling at each other from point blank range. I sometimes fight the urge to say: "SHUT UP!! Just enjoy the scenery and fresh air!". I fought it yesterday and won. Also, I managed to have a great time and got vigorous exercise in the process. Looking forward to the next time, and it will be soon.

U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

For those of you who've wondered where I've been lately, I took a trip home to see my family and friends. It had been just over a year since I'd been home, so I took the opportunity to spend the holiday in the exotic land of, um, Missouri.

Mom and Dad were kind enough to pick me up at the airport. The journey from Seoul to San Francisco to Los Angelas to St. Louis is a long, taxing one. I left Seoul Saturday at 5pm and arrived in St. Louis Saturday at 8:35pm. While I had used only 3 hours in time, the actual time elapsed was about 20 hours. I flew Singapore Air to San Francisco and then American Airlines to L.A. and St. Louis. Going American after Singapore is like drinking Boone's Farm after Rothschild. The wine simile displays a smaller gap in quality, however. The first couple of days in town were spent recovering from jetlag at my parents house. Jetlag is no joke, kids.

Monday evening I met my brother and his lovely daughters Summer (left) and Allison. We met at our favorite Mexican restaurant Pueblo Nuevo. I had a mission to eat quality Mexican food, and Pueblo delivered the goods. Homemade tamales in green sauce--yummy. While I love the food in Korea, good Mexican is something I've long ago given up on. To think I once thought it was hard to find Mexican food in Missouri! The girls were sweet and beautiful as ever, and they were even kind enough to pose with their proud uncle. Too bad I didn't wear pink!


Having gotten the essential Mexican feast out of the way and having seen my family and friends in St. Louis, I made the trip back to my old stomping ground in Columbia. I left on Wednesday and surprised my beautiful sister by popping into her gallery unannounced. It was the first time I had seen her new business, and it was quite gorgeous without being snooty (Perlow-Stevens Gallery, Broadway, Columbia). I was able to spend some q time with her and her family (Chris, Clayton, and Charlie). I had realized that in the bustle of seeing everyone, I had been unable to capture a picture of the ever-active, yet smart, beautiful and lovable Charlotte (Charlie). Clayton and Chris... sorry too, fellas. The best I could come up with was a shot of these two mugs, Tim (left) and Paul. I spent Wednesday night shooting pool with the usual suspects--just like old times! Paul had taken over the soccer team after I left, and the boys are much better for it. They are thriving under the sponsership of Booches, the great old tavern which employed me through college (also the place where this picture was taken).

I spent Christmas eve in St. Louis, where the pictures are captured in neat slideshow form at Perlows.com. We had a nice night with the extended family at Uncle Steven and Aunt Debbie's house. It was great to see everyone, although it was too brief. That is the trouble of being in the state for only two weeks... it's difficult to find the time to see everybody let alone spend significant time with them.

Christmas day was spent at my sister's house in Columbia. Here is a shot of me with Jennifer and Arnie. If you can't tell or don't already know, they're my sister and brother. Aunt Shirley, Mom and Dad, and Arnie's nice new friend Rebecca made the trip that day. I have to take this opportunity to announce that Shirley is the greatest aunt in the world, but isn't pictured. We had an abundant and delicious feast that day consisting of delectable appetizers provided by Rebecca and a succulent crab-stuffed tenderloin provided by my sister. It was a special Christmas for all of us. The only thing that soured it was the viewing of "The Devil Wears Prada" that evening. Yech! I spent a couple of more days in Columbia, doing more of the same--hanging out with the family and then with the boys at night. I should mention that I ate pork tacos at El Rancho, which are the tastiest friggin things on the planet. No joke.

After going back to St. Louis, time was sparse. Two weeks went by in the blink of an eye. Now it feels like the trip was just a dream. It really did happen, as I have the pictures to prove it. I was able to get together with some friends at Growlers (another old familiar stomping ground in Creve Couer). Some of my old Backbar Rover teammates were able to join me, including our latest recruit who's being groomed for the future. Left to Right we have Matt (right midfield with a cannon), Antonio (forward or midfield like his old man), Andy (dynamic and feisty defender), Chris O. (proud papa, manager, captain, and speedster forward), myself (transferred to a Uzbekistani squad), Brad and Mike (no skills, just there for the beer). Also there with us but camera shy are the Pulzins (Matt and Michelle with their beautiful daughter) and Eileen (O's better half and star of my Thailand blog from last year). It was great seeing the boys and drinking quality draft beer. Think it's easy to find a Newcastle pint in Suwon?

Friday night I spent the night out with my brother and Rebecca, and we were in good form. We toasted the town (or got toasted) and said our goodbyes that evening. Saturday afternoon, after saying bye to Mom, who had to work, Dad and I had lunch with Chris O., his beautiful and talented wife Eileen, and his handsome boy Antonio. Afterward, Dad took me to the airport and bid farewell. I spent that evening in San Francisco, where I saw the Flaming Lips with Gnarls Barkley. If you're unfamiliar with those bands: Check them out. The show was amazing, and a perfect send-off. The Flaming Lips were kind enough to count down the new year a day early, which was convenient considering I would be on a plane over New Year's Eve. I left San Francisco at 12:30pm on December 31, and arrived in Seoul at 7:00 January 1. Try wrapping your head around that one. I worked the next day and struggled to stay awake. I've since recovered and gotten back to normal, and am ready to resume my adventures in Korea. This year is going to be great and should be full of more adventures and pictures. Happy New Year Everbody!