I had only been back at work for one week but my mind was struggling with the thought that I’d made a commitment to be here for one more year. I love my job… even though I struggle daily with it. I am constantly facing up to new challenges, tough decisions, short deadlines, long hours, and people, people, and more people. Mostly, I thrive on it. Occasionally, I long to be a…hermit, alone with a book, my thoughts, myself.
Again, I am amazed at how well things always fall together for me. Ask, my friend, and you shall receive. My buddy Abbey suggested we sign up for an overnight climb on Gwanaksan, one of the highest mountains surrounding Seoul. We were to meet up with a group of about 40 other climbers, and start our trek around midnight.
It was just what I needed. We climbed, stopping sporadically, until about 3:30 a.m., when we stopped on a ledge. Seoul was superb, brightly lit and glowing far below. Never mind that it was a hot, humid, windless night. Yes, I was covered in sweat and drenched in oily, thick mosquito repellent. Still, my discomfort disappeared as I could only stare in awe. We decided to let the other climbers go on to the final destination – our ledge provided us with what we wanted and needed.
It got quite calm once the others left but we weren’t even scared. I’ve camped out every year throughout my life and I still get the heebie jeebies and think of Jason from Friday the 13th movies every time I need to use the outhouse at night. But – I wasn’t afraid. I was sitting on a rocky ledge, miles outside, and high on top, of a city of twenty million people, and I was at peace. I used the bushes at leisure. We joked about throwing water at whatever came rushing at us when we would hear rustling or howling (ok, there was no howling) but then we lay back on the rock, forming our bodies into its nooks and crannies, rested our heads on our backpacks as pillows, and chatted under the illuminated sky.
I was reminded of a quote that I’d read not too long ago:
Again, I am amazed at how well things always fall together for me. Ask, my friend, and you shall receive. My buddy Abbey suggested we sign up for an overnight climb on Gwanaksan, one of the highest mountains surrounding Seoul. We were to meet up with a group of about 40 other climbers, and start our trek around midnight.
It was just what I needed. We climbed, stopping sporadically, until about 3:30 a.m., when we stopped on a ledge. Seoul was superb, brightly lit and glowing far below. Never mind that it was a hot, humid, windless night. Yes, I was covered in sweat and drenched in oily, thick mosquito repellent. Still, my discomfort disappeared as I could only stare in awe. We decided to let the other climbers go on to the final destination – our ledge provided us with what we wanted and needed.
It got quite calm once the others left but we weren’t even scared. I’ve camped out every year throughout my life and I still get the heebie jeebies and think of Jason from Friday the 13th movies every time I need to use the outhouse at night. But – I wasn’t afraid. I was sitting on a rocky ledge, miles outside, and high on top, of a city of twenty million people, and I was at peace. I used the bushes at leisure. We joked about throwing water at whatever came rushing at us when we would hear rustling or howling (ok, there was no howling) but then we lay back on the rock, forming our bodies into its nooks and crannies, rested our heads on our backpacks as pillows, and chatted under the illuminated sky.
I was reminded of a quote that I’d read not too long ago:
Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily,visiting the natural world. - Catlin Matthews
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