Seodaemun prison and the accidental mountain climb

dick told me that Seodaemun prison was worth a visit, so i decided to check it out. it was where the Japanese tortured and suppressed the korean independence movement. the prison was full of pretty graphic displays of torture. oddly enough, entire korean families treated the place like disney land and took lots of light hearted pictures and generally seemed oblivious to the fact the this was a very intense prison. after tour of the prison i didn't really have anything to do, so i walked around independence park and drank a few beers in the sun. off in the distance was a beautiful mountain, so i decided that i would get as close as could and try and take some pictures. it turned out that after walking for a while you could actually take a trail to the top. in hind sight it was probably a bad idea to climb a mountain in 95 degree weather in flip-flops, without having eaten anything that day but a mellon popsicle and two beers. even though i was incredibly unprepared i climbed the mountain anyway, and i'm glad i did. by the time i got to the top i was literally soaked in sweat, but the view all the way up was indescribably beautiful. i listen to the stars of the lid all the way up and when i got to the top i took a nap on a picnic table. it was one of the most peaceful and relaxing things i think i have ever done. i'm so glad that i threw logic out the window and braved my way to the top. when i got back to dicks i ate an entire pizza to myself and we went out to the bar and then to noribong which is a private karaoke room. it was alot of fun until a bunch of westerners from dicks work showed up. i wish i had some pictures, but i forgot to turn my flash on so none of them came out.

prison





independence park


mountain hike



fresh mountain spring water!


mountain views






wish i had worn shoes