A Twist On Hiking in Korea

Due to jet lag, was up at some atrocious hour watching Korean cable TV. There was an interesting show about tattoo artists in Korea but these badass wannabees getting tattoos don't get the real thing but ones that come off after a few months. Lame. If you're going to do it then do it. Laser tattoo removal has come a long way. This is just like all the young women who smoke in Seoul. I don't mind smokers having been one myself but if you are going to smoke then inhale the damn stuff. Just puffing it out of one's mouth does no one any good.

OK, now that's off my chest. The interesing story was about these "tour" services in Korea that bring people together for day trips to the mountains for hiking. The thing is, you go onto the Internet and search for these things. Once you get the time and meeting place there are tons of these companies vying to get you to ride their van. It looks like it's for people of all ages.

Once in the van, the company takes the group to a mountain for hiking. The interesting thing is that the group is paired up equally men and women. On the way to the mountain, by the way everyone is in hiking gear, the group stops for lunch where the people get to know each other and, of course, the soju comes out. After a light hike (they do actually do some hiking), the group then converges onto another establishment to eat and then the karoake comes out. The group is singing and dancing and then the tour operator whips out the keys. These couples then go off to their own rooms for their own little tryst. I guess there is only one and reason and one reason alone to go on these particular tours. That's right the fresh country air and famous home cooking.

Well, I was riding the subway today and saw a group of mid to late 40 something ladies decked out in hiking gear. I had my gym bag with me and one was giving me this very scary look. I felt like a lamb in the woods about to be violated in a very difficult way.

-Pat in Seoul