LIVING IN SEOUL Discovering Korea Through Hiking Adventures

Shawn Marie Klug MYP I&S/English A Teacher

Hiking in Korea is a special culture unto itself. Through this hobby, I have become better acquainted with the Korean people, culture, and landscape - traveling to all corners of Korea to climb over 30 mountains - from Jirisan and Gyeryongsan, to Seoraksan and the top of Gureop-ri. Seoul is wonderful, vibrant, and modern, but to truly understand the Korean people one must venture into the mountains.

During these adventures, I have learned that Koreans have a love for colorful hiking clothes, and warm, generous, welcoming hearts. Through my Korean hiking friends, I have learned how to make tofu by grinding soybeans on a stone, and kimchi in large ceramic pots. I have learned about the history of Korea as we climb, kayak, canoe, and camp. And I have learned the joy of Gamjatang, Pajeon, and Soju at the end of a long, active day.

I have also learned that Koreans have a respect for their elders, and a strong sense of responsibility and family. Like the Germans, they had to rebuild a divided, war-torn country, and through that experience they have developed a work ethic and reverence for education that makes my life as a teacher easy and rewarding. But beyond that, with every intricately-painted, hidden mountainside temple I stumble upon, I recognize that Koreans have an appreciation for beauty that is often lost in today’s world.

June marks the beginning of my fifth year in Korea. Four times I have witnessed cherry blossom petals falling like snow, muggy warm summer nights, crisp orange-red autumn leaves, and the magic of Korean tea and floor heating as I watch the silent winter white outside my window. I treasure these experiences, but it is really the people that keep me here. And the mountains.