Last weekend I went on a trip to 경주 (Gyeongju) to see the cherry blossoms and explore on bike. At first, I was a bit nervous because I hadn’t ridden a bike since childhood, but they have that expression “it’s like riding a bike” for a reason, so thankfully it all worked out. As the former capital of the 신라 Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju has been labeled a “museum without walls” and it really lives up to the name. There are temples, tombs, and remnants of fortress walls strewn across the entire area. If you are looking for the closest Lotte Department Store or movie-theater this is not the place for you.
In the morning, I rented a bike for the day for a mere 10,000won (about $10). No one wrote down my name. I didn’t get a ticket of some kind. I paid and the guy just gave me the bike. Americans and the South Africans I was with immediately thought this very odd, because in our respective countries those bikes would be gone, stripped, and sold for parts. In Korea though, it seems like everything is on the honor system. This theory was proved correct again later in the day when a guy from our group forgot his sunglasses in a public restroom. We went back for them about an hour and a half later, and they were actually still there. We were all amazed, but could still believe it because it’s Korea. That’s not to say everyone should go leaving their valuables in public places, but it shows that most people follow a certain moral code; if it doesn’t belong to me, I leave it alone. Every single person who went in that bathroom said, “Not mine.” and just walked out.
Aside from that cultural nugget of information, it was awesome to explore the city on bike. I saw cherry blossoms lining the streets everywhere, delicately shedding their petals with each gust of wind. In only a few days they will all be green again like nothing happened. I was also able to see an open air museum displaying burial mounds and one enclosing the tomb of a king. It was refreshingly relaxing to wander along the winding path of the park. Many people had the same idea, but the crowds didn’t hamper the view or the experience at all. It was like everyone was moving together in their own space, like bubbles gliding past in the same bathtub.
After the museum, I made a stop at 첨성대 (Cheomseongdae Observatory) to see the “oldest stone relic in the east”. It was used as an astronomical observatory during the reign of Queen 선덕(Seon-Deok). The park featured a gorgeous contrast of light pink cherry blossoms and bright yellow rape flowers. The gentle breeze kept the hot sun from becoming too stifling. The weather was truly perfect. My friend and I became part of some of the photo shoots that were going on in the field. Apparently, two foreigners looking sporty sparked the interest of a few Korean photographers. Once we saw them snapping away we couldn’t resist giving them a few poses!
Once our Vogue shoot was over we returned our bikes and walked to 보문 (Bomun) Lake and Resort, which was quite a hike, but worth every calorie. The beautiful view and cool air rippling off the lake made the trek worthwhile. Unfortunately, our time was almost up so we opted for a taxi to take us back to the bus terminal. I napped for most of the 40min. trip home and was completely exhausted and ready for bed by the time I made it back to my apartment in Pohang. Still, every time I come back from a journey, Pohang feels more and more like home. I love all of the weekend excursions, but it’s nice to come back home and relax…until the next adventure.
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