So I finally crawled out from underneath my rock...

Whatta ya know, it's springtime!!!  Sorry I've been missing in action for a bit, but things were tough here in Korea and I was feeling pretty lonely and down.  The stomach flu is awful no matter what country you are in, and breaking a tooth isn't much better either.  I have a new crown now to replace the broken tooth and only a small scar on my face above my lip that is fading.  I really don't feel like telling the story of how I broke my tooth so hopefully this picture will suffice.

I miss friends and family, but I am starting to get out more and meet people.  For example, I have met a woman who runs her own skincare shop.  She is in her 50s and has donned herself as my Korean mother.  Besides getting facials from her as a customer, she has taken me out to lunch, given me a book of survival Korean language phrases and taken me hiking for a day.

The hike starts out on a road with some art galleries, a museum, tea shops and small eateries.

Maybe a half mile or so up the trail is the first temple.

An elaborate ceiling

 

It was foggy and misty that day...this is a view of the city below in the distance.  The morning rain left the air cool and fresh, smelling wonderful for the day so I didn't mind missing the views due to fog.  I will go again (only $1.20 bus ride to the base of the mountain and endless trails).

So as I was saying, Spring is finally here and helping me sprout up from feeling so isolated.  Cherry blossoms are everywhere!  Here are some views of my walk to work everyday.

There are carpets of purple wildflowers everywhere right now.

The front gate of one of the wealthier homes

The crazy castle structure in the left background is one of the kindergarten schools I go to twice a week to read to 5-7 year olds.  Veggies growing in the foreground, the school has its own garden as well...

The building in the distance is a hospital.

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The only downside to these beautiful blossoms is that I am, of course, allergic to them :)