Hiking in Korea is a national pastime. It goes beyond sport or fitness. It is a passion. Each weekend thousands of people form harmonious lines as they make their way to the summit. Always to the summit, they usually don't quit until they reach the top and then the picnics and socializing begins.
Once I watched an old woman hiking with her walker, a feat that I thought in itself was amazing. But when she reached the top she didn't stop until she, with the help of her husband, climbed a ten foot rock so should be on the very summit. I was inspired by this determination but I have to admit i didn't share this feeling that I had to climb to the very top. In fact I was quite content to stop at one of the little restaurants near the river and call it a day!
But this all changed when my husband and I became part of a Korean hiking club where we learned about this passion first hand.
They were all experienced hikers and were happy to help us become better hikers. They hiked every weekend and each weekend there was a new guide taking us on trails th
at were not the main trails. They were definitely "the road less travelled" As I said It has never been a problem for me to stop before I reached the top. I was happy to watch the accomplishments of others at a safe distance. So you can imagine my 
reluctance when it became apparent that to get to the top required climbing a rope while a fellow hiker held it for you.A rope? Me? No!
A NI YO (No in Korean!)
But they wouldn't hear of it. They gathered around me and chanted; "Cindyshi, you can do it"
Youuuuuuuuu can do it!
Hmm I could see they were not going to change their minds. I wanted them to just leave me there and pick me up on the way down.
"No" they said "You can do it"
So with a racing heart and my eyes closed I took the rope and began to climb.
Up I went, to the very top which was at the center of the Bukansan National Park.
I was met with a rousing round of cheers .A spectacular view was my reward. It was beautiful
It was worth the climb.
Cindyshi you can do it! I can hear their encouraging voices at times when I am faced with a daunting task.
Youuu can do it!
So I came to be called Cindyshi and it remains a special nickname to me.
4 comments:
Hi Cindy
And how did you get back down? Going up is usually not the problem. Becky
Cindyshi you can do it!!! (Write great blogs about Korea, that is!) Mary
I remember those hiking days...loved the stop by the river where we had our liquid refreshment! Glad you made it all the way to the top that next time.
San
I loved the stories!
Elaine
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