This past weekend I went to Seoraksan National Park with a friend and stayed in Sokcho.
Adventure 1: Getting to the bus station
Bus to Gangnam -->Taxi to the wrong bus terminal --> Ate at Burger King --> Took a cab to the other bus station. The cab driver was the self proclaimed "#1 King of Swear Words." His resume was pretty strong. He could swear in Arabic, Japanese, English, and Korean. This was funny for a while until out of the blue he said "I'm going to kill you." --> Cross weird 1 lane bridge --> Nerves rise --> Arrive at bus stop.
Adventure 2: Bus ride
Difficulty buying tickets --> Got on one bus, told to get off in Korean, nice old man helps us get tickets for the Express Bus to Sokcho. Thanks buddy. Stop in a place called Hwayang Gangland half way to Sokcho. Arrive in Sokcho.
Adventure 3: First night in Sokcho
First order of business: find lodging. After walking around for 45 minutes simply following flashing lights we came across Mo-A Motel. This motel, for what came out to around $23 dollars a night, was actually a very nice place.
After dropping our stuff off we went to get food. We passed what looked like a crab shack and this older lady came out and beckoned us in. After a valiant attempt to resist the Sirens' calls we went in and bought a large plate of crab which turned out to be more expensive than our motel and the most expensive meal I've had in Korea. OK...fast forward, we go to a bar called RPM: America Bar the next two nights mainly because we like the name of the place.
Day 2: Spark note version
We woke-up, left hotel around 12:30pm; ate at 1; wandered Sokcho trying to find stores any open stores; stores in Sokcho open anywhere between 1 and 5pm; bought nice hiking boots for 104,000 won; kept wandering; covered all of Sokcho in 2 days; went to a restaurant called Santa Fe; drank some wine and ate some french fries; went to Soju & Hof; felt sick; felt better; ended up back at America Bar. Day over.
Day 3: Seoraksan National Park
3.5km: Ha, that's nothing. I was playing soccer 4-5 nights a week last year. A short walk and a sweet view; sounds like a vacation. 2km: A bit icy, a couple temples, a rest stop, still easy; I like this hike. 1km: Did it get hot? Suddenly, I realize that I am sweating like a kid who doesn't know any answers on a pop quiz. I have sweat through my undershirt, over shirt, and liner of my jacket, but I'm not tired. A man in his 60's passes us comfortably. Suddenly I think about rabbits and turtles. I just need some water. .4km: STUPID MOUNTAIN!!!! MY LEGS ARE BURNING!!!! I'M DEHYDRATED!!!! DON'T FALL!!!! The last .4km is just one very steep staircase pretty much straight up the face of this gigantic rock wall. A 50 year old woman and man come down with dry brows and large smiles. REALLY?! Ok its definitely time to stop complaining. Just live your life like a Nike commercial and enjoy the view. .2km: I literally was climbing these stairs on all fours, not because I was so tired, they were just that steep. It was practically rock climbing. Am I going to have to go down these stairs backwards on my way down? 0km: Great trip.
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