July 17, 2009 - Muju, South Korea
"Although a flower wilts, I will not forget you."
~Korean Proverb
There's a difference between traveling and touring. For the last week we have spent the mornings in classes and the afternoons exploring Seoul - meeting new people, fumbling through the language barrier, deciphering which foods we enjoy, interpreting maps, cabs, subways, etc. Basically, finding our own paths in a foreign culture.This morning the traveling stopped and a four day southern tour began. The bus ride wandered through country roads to the Suqon Hwaseong Fortress for a traditional archery lessons, then to Chengin to learn Korea's ancient practice of print making using removable metal-type, and then to Gyeongginjeon to visit a Chosen Dynasty's King's Shrine.
However, my favorite stop was staying the night at Hotel Triol, an Austrian inspired chateau ski lodge in the middle of Mt. Deogyu National Park. Although there was no snow, it's evident the tree skiing is poor and the vertical terrain leaves much to be desired - but it would still be fun to ski South Korea.
Today a little insight into an unanswered riddle, which has perplexed me since Saudi Arabia was revealed. It's a small world, and only never knows who they'll meet on their travels. There is a thin line between fantasy and reality.
