6000 of my closest friends (that look at me funny. and dont understand me. and laugh)

Saturday I went for a hike at Gyeryong-san National Park. I went alone in hopes of gaining the perspective that being alone in the woods (decidedly not the city) during the height of autumn might lend a person. And it was beautiful, and perspective lending, and, i might add, quite a rigorous hike. It was almost everything I had hoped for in a Saturday away (deliciously, blissfully away) from the city. To be sure, the one thing I wasnt on that trip was alone.

When I got off the bus, I thought I had misread the guidebook and the careful instructions of my friend. I must be at the circus. There are balloons here. And lines. It smells like elephant ears. But no, I was at the park. For the first mile or so of the "hike" (quotations used at this point to emphasize the fact that there were women in stilettos and men in suits so it can most definitely not be a quotation-less hike), there were stalls peddling sweet cakes and assorted chachkes lining either side of the path.

Videographic proof that it was, in fact, crowded:


Gyeryong-san Mob Scene from ali on Vimeo.


However, after that first mile or so the path did diverge and I selected the one with lighter traffic (very Robert Frost of me, I know). It was absolutely beautiful as the fall colors were at their prime. I dont think I could have picked a better time to go.

sorry about the lens flare on that one.

In other news, given my recent inability to sleep, I have been able to do some surprising things. My marble floors are smelling deliciously of pine-sol. I have read the New York Times, the Korea Herald, and the less boring parts of the Wall Street Journal. I have caught up on celebrity gossip (which I dont even like) and what is going on in the blogging world (fascinating). I have seen what the 8 am sun looks like reflecting off the Rodeo Town (pronounced ro-day-oh like the snobby californians would) windows opposite mine. I have taken pictures of my feet:

This may be what your foot would look like, say, if it got stomped on by a high heel at a dance club (except maybe not as fat as mine).

In my inability to sleep, I have not, however, been able to do the following:
the dishes
send the mail I have been meaning to for two weeks
sleep, obviously
prep for my classes
stop thinking about the two boxes of presents hidden under my bed (I know theyre there. they are taunting me)