Anawangin Cove, Northern Zambales

Anyone who knows me understands my infatuation with mountains and the ocean. I love both yet I have neither close to me back home in MN or Korea [the heart wants what it can't have]. It is a rare occurrence to experience these natural wonders together, until I traveled to the Philippines...

During the holidays I had the exciting opportunity to travel by myself to the Philippines. As I mentioned in my previous post, I didn't really have a set itinerary, rather I was open to exploring and seeing where life would take me. One such place that I am happy I stumbled [or trekked] upon was located in San Antonio, Zambales: Anawangin Cove.

Mountains + Ocean = LOVE.

"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering." -St. Augustine

This isolated beauty is a crescent shaped cove tucked away in the lush green and chocolate colored mountains of Mount Pundaquit near the town proper of Pundaquit and San Antonio, Zambales. The aqua tinted waters crash effortlessly upon a beach filled with gorgeous white sand that is intertwined with volcanic ash that erupted long ago from Mt. Pinatubo while the tallest of Agoho pine trees loom overhead. You are instantly filled with wonder, mystique, and a hunger to explore.

Rocky mountains cascade beautifully in the distance offering plentiful hiking and climbing opportunities. Boats flow in and out with chances to visit other coves or islands such as Nagassa Cove, Capones Island, or Camara Island. The air is filled with laughter and joy from other campers and beach-goers alike enjoying conversation, bonfires, and music. A perfect destination for all to hide away and escape the realities of life.

In order to reach paradise, you must be ready to do some adventurous traveling. The cove is tucked away from civilization and direct access by road is impossible. You have two options to reach the cove: hiking or boating. If you are not an avid nor experienced hiker, I recommend taking a boat. While the climb is nowhere near difficult, you must remember that the open trails are very hot under the Philippine sun after 8am. There is limited shade, high humidity, and you will need to be adequately prepared with water [think double the amount of your body weight]. So, unless you are traveling in a group where water and pack weight can be properly distributed, I recommend boating.

How to Get to Anawangin Cove

1. BUS
You will need to take a bus to STA Cruz or Iba, Zambales. Buses are a great and affordable way to get out of the city and explore all that the Philippines has to offer.

From Manila, catch a Victory Liner bus at the Pasay Terminal bound to Iba, Zambales [P357]. You can tell the cashier/bus driver that you will be getting off at the San Antonio Public Market which is located next to their city hall.

Travel total time: 6 hours.

San Antonio is a very small town with many different SariSari's (independent stores), a 7-11, a WesternUnion, and a few restaurants. Make sure you stock up on food, water, and supplies before heading to Pundaquit as it will be your last chance.

TIP: Arrive at the terminal at least 1-2 hours before your bus is scheduled to leave to ensure a ticket.

I made the mistake of traveling during a major holiday and showing up 30 minutes before scheduled departure which left me in despair as I stood in a line that wrapped around the station. Fortunately, I found myself on another bus that was bound for Olongapo. From Olongapo I had to transfer on another bus going to San Antonio (which was only 30 minutes away and cost me less than P80 (around $1.77).

2. DRIVE
If you travel to the Philippines and have the fortunate opportunity to rent a car while traveling, it will only take you 4 hours or less by SCTEX to get to San Antonio/Pundaquit. Easy peasy.

3. TRICYCLE

Once you get to San Antonio, you will need to hire a tricycle to get you to the jump off point at Barangay Pundaquit.

If you mention to your driver that you want to go to Anawangin Cove or Pundaquit, they will know exactly where to take you. Some drivers are very loyal with certain boatmen and will take you directly to them. I was very fortunate to find a driver who was in relation with a family that offered tents, water, hiking and boat service to Anawangin.

Cost of tricycle should be less than P60 total [P30 per person if there are two people].

Travel time: 15-20 minutes

4. HIKING
If you are feeling adventurous and want to experience the gorgeous landscape of Mt. Pundaquit; I suggest hiring a guide, or local, [P500] and trek through the mountains en route to Anawangin. However, as I said before, make sure that you bring an adequate supply of water with you or tell the boatmen at Barangay [jump off point] to bring a 5 gallon jug of water on their next route to the cove. Boats come in and out quite frequently and will often make arrangements to bring you supplies if you choose to hike.

My guide was very experienced and took me on a very direct route to the cove. He carried a machete which was used to cut through bushes and to ward off potential predators, such as the infamous carabao, or what we commonly know as the "water buffalo."

Total travel time: Depending on your level of energy, heat, and ambition of guide, total hiking time should not exceed 6 hours. My guide pushed me to my limits physically and we approached summit in less than 3 hours and descended in an hour.

And he hiked in flip-flops. Real men hike in flip-flops.

5. BOATING

If you want a more direct and less stressful route to the cove, you can hire a boatmen for P1000 [~$20]. This is the cost for the entire boat roundtrip, so again, I suggest you travel in a group or at least try to find a group that you can distribute the cost a bit more evenly. Some boatmen will not allow you to share whereas others will [supply and demand]. It's all about bartering at the jump off point, so do whatever you are comfortable with. I didn't see others around the area I was in so I just hired a boatmen to pick me up in 3 days for P1000. 

Travel total time is around 45 minutes. 

TIP: The boat ride is very bumpy and thrilling, so seasick prone people should be prepared with a dose of Dramamine. 

What to Bring

If you do decide to visit the cove and do some camping, here are some tips to help you pack.

• Tents- Again, there are tents to rent near the jump off point for P200-P300 per night. The tents can be quite small, so if there is a large group traveling, you may want to bring your own tent(s). My tent was barely big enough for one person, let alone others. If you don't own a tent, borrow a tent from friends or you can wait until you get to the Philippines and buy your own for P800 at one of the SariSari's or DIY camping stalls. 
• Food- Seems like a no-brainer, but I've heard plenty of stories from the locals about how unprepared people show up to the cove empty-handed and hungry. If staying for more than a day, you will want to bring food that is easy to prepare, creates minimal waste, and will nourish you throughout the day. I brought plenty of protein bars, small cans of tuna, dried nuts, berries, oatmeal (I own a JetBoil), ramen, and other fruit such as tangerines, apples, mango, and banana. 
• Water- You will be in a secluded area where water is unfiltered and is run through a pump. Unless you have a fancy filtration system or if you feel like boiling water before drinking, it is strongly advised you bring plenty of filtered/clean water. There are 5 gallon jugs you can purchase from boatmen or from Cove management but since water can be scarce, be forewarned.
• Flashlight/Headlight- This was probably my favorite investment that I made for my trip because there was NO electricity on the island. I had no problem throwing on my headlamp and going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I also used my headlight in the city to scare off peddlers and unwanted jeepney solicitors in Manila! 
• Sunblock- The sun can get very hot and direct during the daytime, so be prepared to lather up with some good ol' SPF to keep that beautiful skin safe from the harsh Philippine rays.
• Rope- Another great tool I found handy! Since I went swimming a lot and sweat most of my body weight from hiking, it was nice to have an improvised clothesline to hang my clothes out to dry!
• Camera- The cove offers plenty of beauty that you will want to capture: crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, majestic mountains, and more!
• Mosquito repellent- This was HARD, nearly impossible, to find in any of the stores I visited in Manila. I was glad that I already had mosquito repellent lotion with me or I would have been out of luck. The mosquitos weren't so bad during my stay in December, but since I haven't visited during other times in the year, it's always nice to come prepared. 

Where to Stay at Anawangin Cove

• Camping is the only way to go while visiting Anawangin. Many tourists often visit the cove unprepared for the rustic atmosphere and often leave with complaints about the lack of electricity, air conditioning, tents, cabins, food, etc. Granted, there are SariSari's on the beach that sell basic food supplies [tuna, water, ramen, snacks] but it is best that you come prepared with food, water, tents and other camping gear to last your stay. Also, there are tents you can rent in Barangay before boating to the cove for P200 per night or you can bring your tent [much more affordable]. 
• Overnight camping fee: P100 per night
• Entrance fee (if not staying overnight): P50

Now, the main reason for these fees is largely based on the fact that the cove is free of development. In order to keep larger corporations out of the cove, local families running the Cove need an income to keep the park from harm such as companies tearing down the natural landscape to provide larger resorts. Considering the cove has already naturally recovered from prior natural disasters--such as the Agoho pines growing through volcanic ash-- it would be a great shame for it to be torn down by man. Keep the forests alive by paying nominal park fees and support your local businesses and families of Pundaquit.

My personal recommendation for camping in Anawangin Cove is with Wildlife and Nature Camping Site. These people were friendly, open, and very welcoming. They take great care of their campsites and welcome guests as family.
Phone: +63 946 300 4034
Contact: Mabel

• Resorts/Inns- If camping really isn't your style, then I recommend that you check out some resorts and inns near Pundaquit. One hostel that I wish I had time to explore was The Circle Hostel Zambales in San Felipe, Zambales. A hostel with yoga, surfing, hammocks, art and painting, slack lining, skim boarding and more! How could you resist such a beautiful place? Other recommendations follow: Wild Rose Beach Inn, Nora's Beach Resort, and Megan's Beach Resort. 

Expenses

As a single traveler I was able to save a decent amount of money while visiting Anawangin Cove even though I had to pay more upfront for my boat. However, I scored some sweet deals with my guide, renting a tent, and even a discount on my bus tickets which help offset my overall costs.

Here's an estimated breakdown of the costs for a trip to Anawangin Cove:

TRAVEL FARE
P347- Bus from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales
P60- Tricycle from San Antonio Public Market to Barangay Pundaquit (P30 per person)

BOAT
P1000- Roundtrip per boat (easily divided among multiple passengers)

TENT
P200/night- Cheaper to bring your own!

CAMPING FEE
P100/night
P50- entrance fee if not staying overnight

FOOD
P500-P800- This is up to you and how much food you will want to eat/or need for the duration of your trip. I believe my average costs were less than P300 since I brought a lot of stuff from Korea and food is very cheap in Manila.


If you are looking for place that offers quality downtime yet is filled with adventure; you won't be disappointed with this magical place as the cove has plenty to offer every traveler. Anawangin Cove is definitely a place I will gladly call home.

Happy travels! Mabuhay.

Beauty of Being Alone

As I finished my last breakfast under the sun with its rays bouncing off the cool blue waters of my hostel's pool, I couldn't help but dream about staying in the Philippine warmth forever. Perhaps it's because I was facing the reality of  my last day of vacation, or the fact that it was nearly 40 degrees colder back home in Seoul, or maybe it was because I was not ready to handle the hustle and bustle of my ordinary life. It's true what they say, it's more fun in the Philippines.

My trip to the Philippines was more than incredible. I hate to be cheesy and emulate such a hippy lifestyle; but my trip was filled with self-awakening, liberation, and life-changing moments that not only challenged me but revealed wounds that needed to be healed and resolved. Insecurity, loneliness, fear, anxiety, and the need for control were forcibly left at various stops on my trip.

Let me tell you my biggest secret: I had no plans for this trip. Only ideas.

A pocketful of ideas at most with majority of my trip relying on the good nature of the Filipino people. I had a list of destinations in mind such as Manila, trekking in Northern Zambales, visiting Lake Taal, and possibly boating to Boracay, but other than this list, I had no hotels booked, no tickets, and no set itinerary. I only had ideas of things to see and do. The rest of my trip would rely on social networking, blogs, and my most important resource: the locals. What better way to travel than to reach out for the kindness and humanity in people around you? I wanted to experiment with being dependent on others.

Sometimes, we become so self-involved and independent that we forget to communicate and interact with each other, and in result, we miss out on great connections and opportunities to learn more about others. Has it become such a foreign concept for us to simply walk up to a fellow human being and ask, "Could you please help me find the train station?" Here's the mind-blowing result: people will help you. I wanted to see how far I could go, what kinds of relationships I could build, and to restore my faith in the humanity of others.

You may be asking yourself, but isn't traveling alone dangerous?

Of course it is! I'm not entirely naive or starry-eyed because I do realize the dangerous implications of a single woman (or man) traveling alone. There is vulnerability, risk, and danger in anyone traveling alone but these risks are amplified if you are not aware of your surroundings or if you are unprepared. As a woman of the 21st-century, I do feel that it's not only smart but also crucial to be adequately prepared and full of resources while doing any sort of traveling. However, I do encourage throwing out the rulebook once in awhile to see where life takes you.

For my trip to the Philippines, I had most preparations taken care of such as clothing for various climates, food needed for my time spent camping and backpacking, and necessary funds (although I did experience a slight underestimation) to get me through my trip. I did some research on the appropriate taxis, wildlife, terrain, weather and the different modes of transportation in the inner city of Manila and its countryside. I utilized various recommendations such as previous travel blogger itineraries, became friends with fellow travelers, and simply interacted with Filipinos. Not all of my problems were solved instantaneously and more often than not, I had to learn how to let go and be comfortable with the result no matter the circumstance.

Losing control to let go.  

I'm not going to lie; there were events where I was not as prepared as I would have liked. I ran out of money towards the end of my trip, missed several of my scheduled bus trips, wasn't able to visit Boracay, I lost a day of traveling to wandering the streets of Manila in search of camping gear, got lost several times, and my personal favorite: I had to employ my trusty S.O.S. whistle during a slightly scary confrontation. [Thanks a lot to my guy friends for making fun of my whistle days before my trip].

There where moments where I had to value my safety over travel plans such as staying at my hostel an extra night and doing a day trip the next day instead. Sometimes, I had to prioritize my budget and cut expenses that I didn't necessarily want to but needed to in order to stay on track and get out of the country [alive]. Even with cutting expenses, I still ran out of pesos because I forgot I had to reserve 550 pesos ($12) to cover my airport tax. Basically, I was left with 10 pesos (.22 cents) to take a train that dropped me off in the vicinity of the airport thus leaving me to my own demise as I hitchhiked, played leapfrog across busy highways, and hoping that I would make it to the correct terminal on time. Thankfully, I found a shuttle bus and a very kind Korean man paid for my bus fare because I lived in the same country as him. You can't make this stuff up when I travel. Adventure is around every corner.

These chaotic bumps would have thrown anyone off (and myself) but I had to find the mindset to keep pushing on and simply let go of my need to control everything.

I needed to lose control in order to let go.

Sometimes things don't go accordingly to plan. Sometimes all the preparations in the world will still leave you stranded, broke, and in despair. Life just happens. It's the reaction that counts. When I let my guard down and simply let go of my obsession/need to control things, I found better solutions. I found myself in a better place mentally, physically, and spiritually. The tension released and I was able to relax and be more apt to go with the flow. I felt this huge pressure lifted off my shoulders; I didn't feel the need to be perfect anymore. I learned to let things go and be comfortable with any outcome.

Deep breath, life will be okay in the good and the bad.

Being alone yet not lonely. 

"You're traveling alone?"
"Aren't you scared?"
"Where are your friends?"
"Why are you alone?"
"Are you crazy?"

People asked me these questions non-stop. Well intended questions that I'm sure people didn't think were offensive or condescending, but in the end, their doubt made me question my being and ability as a woman to travel alone for 7 days. What is so crazy about the idea of solitude, peace, and inner reflection? What is dangerous about the thought of a strong, intelligent, resourceful and capable 21st century woman wandering a foreign country to her heart's desire? When I was asked these questions by strangers, it was hard to admit that I was traveling alone. Solo. All by myself. Table for one. I had to remind myself that traveling alone wasn't a reflection that I was without friends or incapable of making [new] friends, rather it was just a factor at the moment. My friends just happened to be in Thailand, Korea, and the U.S. Nobody really cared about who, or where my friends were, rather they cared more about why they weren't there and why was I traveling alone? So, I told them: I wanted to explore, volunteer, and truly learn more about others and myself. People respected my response yet still raised their eyebrows as if traveling alone was still crazy. Maybe I am.

If anything, traveling alone provided me an incredible opportunity to refresh my skills in starting conversations and asking questions that mattered and allowing for insightful answers. I also learned how to swallow my insecurities and fears of social anxiety. Actually, the more I practiced, the more I felt at ease and comfortable with myself. There were also incredible moments throughout my trip where I received overwhelming hospitality, friendship, and kindness. From random strangers helping me get around the city to a family welcoming me as a guest to their celebration to taking naps and sharing snacks with random strangers on the bus; I'd say I was never without company.


Deep breath, you are never alone.

I proved to myself I have what it takes to travel alone and be comfortable with myself. I learned security in being an individual. I explored solitude, not loneliness. I read books, wrote stories, and sat in silence with my own thoughts. I ate dessert for breakfast and no one judged me. I didn't shower or feel the need to impress people. I didn't wear make-up for four days straight. I wore my swimsuit and didn't care how pale I looked on the beach. I slept in and took naps at my pleasure. I climbed mountains and found myself among the wild things.

Being alone meant doing things whenever and however I wanted. Call me selfish, but I liked not having to please anyone or do things other people wanted. I could make my own decisions, discover consequences and make my own mistakes. I could go at my own pace and not check in with others [although I did have to tell my Mom that I was alive every now and then]. I could talk to myself aloud and have conversations with myself in order to better understand myself. You think it's weird? Let me ask you this... Have you ever had a conversation with yourself? I guarantee that you will have these amazing epiphanies you never knew you could have until you hear your thoughts audibly. Or maybe that's just my schizophrenia....

The beauty of being alone...

Traveling alone builds independence. It provides this wonderful experience that shapes you, challenges you, and inspires you to be your own teacher. You learn to do things for yourself, to love yourself for who you are, to be comfortable in your own skin, and to actually open your eyes and see the world. How many times do you really pay attention to your surroundings when you're with other people? Not often because you are likely distracted by conversation, actions, or some detailed plan of what to do next. You are too busy rushing off to the next thing instead of taking a deep breath in front of the ocean, throwing a rock into the air and watching it cascade into the deep blue sea with the smallest splash. You become enamored with company as you are lifting your glasses at the bar instead of lying on the beach, staring at the stars and hearing the waves crash up and around your ankles. You become distracted with sightseeing, trying the latest food, and doing the coolest activity instead of sitting on a crowded bus, breathing in the countryside air, and marveling at the mountains in the distances all while sharing pork rinds with your new bus friends.

Life slows down when you're alone. You become more attentive, alert, and open to the experiences around you. You stop taking things for granted. Your heart becomes tender, vulnerable, and eager to explore. The world becomes your playground and you are suddenly excited to run, jump, and play without reservation. You become a person of adventure; ready to face life and the risks all around you.


Deep breath, being alone is okay and quite beautiful. 
Mabuhay.

Losing & Learning

I've realized that moving to Korea has proved itself to be rather challenging and adventurous, but I just didn't think it would be this hard. Don't get me wrong, I'm okay. But, somehow I've lost myself in the process of learning to finding myself.

Most people know that I needed change. I needed to move myself out of my comfort zone of being an Early Childhood Education teacher, living in a safe apartment with two wonderful roommates and a loving cat, and being surrounded by an awesome group of solid, moral friends. I had a routine that was safe, predictable, and comforting. In my heart, it troubled me to find myself settling for less than what I was created to do in life. Something pulled on my heart--I needed to shake things up; not because I was bored but because I needed a challenge.

I first applied to Teach for America. A grueling process which proved it was rather difficult to be accepted into their niche of naive world-changers. I had stellar recommendations, a resume that impressed many of my interviewers, and a lesson plan that seemed unique enough to me (making patterns with fruit loops!), however it just wasn't enough to make the cut. Teach for America was gracious enough to keep me on their mailing lists for future endeavors that may be more suited for my experience.

So, fast forward two months and I find myself being surrounded with stories of people trekking far and wide to the land of South Korea to embark on a journey to teach English. I would literally stumble across South Korean references in the oddest places- television, friends, church, and even bus stops (I stumbled across a Korean book). Somehow, I felt the universe pulling me towards the Far East. Three days later I found AdventureTeaching, an organization that "matches your unique set of skills, needs, and desires and matches you to the perfect English Teacher employment opportunities."

Really, it's the matchmaker process equivalent to online dating, but for schools.

As I scanned the site for the FAQ's, the application process, testimonies of previous teachers, and helpful tools to jumpstart the visa process, I decided to apply. It turned out to be a long arduous process that spanned the entire summer, but I knew deep down in my heart that it would all work out and I would somehow end up in the country that many have proclaimed to be full of adventure, experience, and opportunity. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to find myself; to discover what I like, dislike, to learn more about teaching overseas, to experience new things and to find adventure.

Fast forward to November. Here I am: sitting, wondering, and realizing.

I am sitting in my teacher lounge, scratching my head in bewilderment and wonder as to how I ended up here. I am wondering how I am going to spend the next nine months teaching, making friends, exploring, and how I can embark on more adventurous opportunities. Lastly, I am trying to realize how I have lost myself so quickly in a matter of three months and what went wrong.

I don't like who I've become. 

I've become this woman who strives for acceptance, approval, and to be the center of attention. I've lost the ability to stand my ground and stay away from my vices. I've sacrificed weekends of adventure for weekends of drinking, partying, and staying out until 6am. I've lost my ability of self-control. I've lost sight of who I am.

I've always struggled with acceptance. I broke somewhere along in college and decided I didn't need people's approval. I didn't need to be liked by everybody. Instead, I needed to follow my heart and do the things that matter most to me: loving people, serving people, and making a difference in people's lives. I started my path towards individuality and I discovered I was meant to be an individual, not a part of some group. Recently, I've lost sight of my individualism. I need to find my way back. I need to pull away from the things that dangerously lead me towards the path of self-destruction. I need to spend more nights thinking, soul searching, organizing, and waking my conscience.

My post is not intended to frighten anyone back home, so please don't fear, worry or fret. Rather, this post is a raw invitation to the process of living abroad, finding oneself, the struggle for acceptance and making friends, and how things are not as rosy, glorious, or opportunistic as what others may paint it. Sure, teaching abroad has a romantic appeal, but with all romance there is sure to be struggle, difficulty and even heartbreak. Not everything has a happily ever after. It's okay to journey through the roller-coaster of emotions and hit a few bumps along the way. Sure there will be moments of darkness but we need to experience both in order to learn, grow, and mature. There is beauty in the struggle, in the pain, in the darkness, and in the fight.

I am losing to learn. I will find myself. I will make it through. Your strength, friendship, and encouragement is always appreciated but not required. Walk with me as you wish. Accept me if you will. Love me as you can.

"Everyone thinks about changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
-Leo Tolstoy

Trekking & Tranquility

The body is a beautiful and powerful entity.

I never knew how far and how hard the body could be pushed until I went on a hike with a Meetup group, Climbing in Korea to the Yeongnam Alps--near Ulsan, South Korea. Labeled as "moderately easy," and more than open to beginner hikers, I figured I might as well broaden my hiking horizons and join the trip. For 35,000 won and the chance to sleep on a bus en route to Ulsan; (about 5 hours from Seoul) I didn't really have an excuse not to go. So, with a simple click on my computer to join the group and a trip to the ATM to wire money (super easy/safe in Korea) to the group leader, I was signed up for adventure in less than an hour.

My journey began at 10:15pm to ride the subway to Sports Complex station, which was an adventure in itself [I live at least an hour from Seoul, and Gangnam district is another 30 minutes south on the subway] but luckily I made it just in time to board the bus at 11:45pm. As I stepped aboard the swanky charter bus, I was relieved to find comfy chairs and a window seat. My bus mate and I chatted for a few minutes and then turned our separate ways to fall asleep to the hums of the bus engine and soft breathing of fellow hikers scattered throughout the bus.

5:00am came without haste and 45 hikers groaned at the thought of leaving the warm bus in exchange for a bitter temperature and darkness lurking outside. Flashlights and head lamps adorned the crowd and we set out on our "moderately easy" journey. After some confusion between the trail leaders as to where the trail head began, we finally began our ascent into the alps.

Now, mountains in Korea are different than any other mountain I've climbed. Many of the hikes I've done in the U.S. have been actual dirt or grass trails paved by continuous trekking. However, here in Korea, the trails often begin with stairs. LOTS of stairs. Steep stairs. Stairs that made you wish you had a bum like Suzanne Somers. As a cyclist, I'm used to the strain on my hamstrings and gluts, but nothing rips into your muscles more than climbing stairs. This is where our moderately easy hike shifted into a challenging hike.

With limited sleep, inadequate nutrition, pre-existing digestive conditions, and a lack of water, I felt as though I did not set myself up for success on this hike. My lack of preparation paired with a strenuous and challenging hike ahead, I felt as though I would die on top of the mountain that day.

My body had other plans than to die that day.

After we reached the first peak, my muscles had the opportunity to warm up; the adrenaline began to rush through my veins and shouted excitedly to my brain, "It's GO time." As my brain responded to the explosion of adrenaline, my legs pushed one after the other in an effortless way. Before I realized it, I passed the other hikers with great speed and suddenly, I found myself with the hardcore hikers near the front. Summit after summit, my body continued the fight and pushed with tenacity and fire. As I stood at the final peak, my heart raced, oxygen exploded into my lungs, and a great happiness filled my heart and warmed my cold, aching body.

A great peace overwhelmed my heart. As I stood there, looking into the tranquil vast unknown, I felt proud. I made it. I did it. I felt capable of anything. There is nothing greater [in my opinion] than to be standing on top of a mountain. Mountains are where I reach endorphin overload. My happiness pumps through my body and gives life to my soul. It is in the mountains where I reach a higher sense of awareness and my spirit roars. The mere accomplishment of the hike encouraged and lifted me into the clouds that danced around the peak we stood upon.

John Muir says its best, "Double happy, however, is the [wo]man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach."

We spent 11 hours trekking through the Alps. The hike was first labeled as "moderately" easy but due to the weather, misread trails, and the amount of hikers in our group; it was nothing close to easy. Sure, there were many challenging feats throughout the day but with teamwork, we conquered them all.

Tranquility abound. Conversation shared. Friendships blossomed. Strength, peace, love, and community--all shared within the depths of the mountains and our souls. Adventure frolicked throughout the hills and inspired us all that day. There wasn't a task too difficult to achieve or accomplish. By the time we all collapsed on our bus, we felt like warriors.

Physical strength and inner strength combined; our body becomes a beautiful and powerful thing.

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." 

                
               -- T.S. Eliot

Dancing Shoes & World Festivities

Last week I had the privilege of joining other bloggers stationed here in South Korea for one remarkable experience: The Cheon-an World Dance Festival.  In exchange for blogging about my experience, I was able to attend the festival with a friend fo' free! 

Shut the front door!

 A chance to write, photograph, and wander around a festival centered on dancing all in one day? No need to pull my arm, Korea, I'm there with an open heart, open notebook, and an open aperture [well, not quite].

I should have known the day would lead to adventure as we walked down the subway stairs to our [perceived] transfer point in Daegok; when all of a sudden, my boot heel caught on the stair thus catapulting me forward towards a potential gruesome accident. Needless to say, my grace and poise allowed myself to recover at the expense of freakishly grabbing onto my friend thus causing her coffee to soar through the air beautifully onto said subway staircase that was effortlessly trying to kill me.

Kersplat went the coffee, and so began our day. [Clumsy has always been my second name.]

Our adventure did not stop there; no way, that would be too easy and completely unheard of in my life. Of course the day would bring more hiccups and challenges, all the more testing my patience, strength, and perseverance. Naturally, my anxiety and OCD tendencies would push myself onto a [wrong] train due to my trust issues with the subway app telling me I had to wait 20 mins for the [right] transfer car going to Seoul Station: which was our perceived destination. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder--in our case, we thought we were supposed to go to Seoul Station, where in reality, we should have been on Line 1 going to City Hall Station. [Palm to face]. Eventually we ended up in the correct train, going in the right direction and going to the correct destination, to meet our party of bloggers at the bus stop.

An hour and 15 minutes later, we were finally relaxing on our charter bus with air conditioning, an oddball assortment of a sandwich [ham, pickles, apples, cucumber, mustard, and mayo--Korean style] and a juice box just like on middle school field trips. Due to my excitement with my near-death experience and adventurous lifestyle of train-hopping, I passed out for a good hour only to awake to a horrific realization: I forgot my CF cards for my SLR camera. [Second palm to face]

With an iPhone fully charged in my pocket [for once], a notepad under arm, and a spirit of curiosity-- I was ready to explore the festival.

Our first hour came with absolute freedom to wander and explore all that the World Dance Festival had to offer. An hour you say? What on earth could you do in one hour? Believe me, an hour was plenty of excitement.

Did somebody say wine...?
Grape Festival
That's right, we came across a miniature grape festival where families could go fishing for a bunch of grapes, nourish their toes in a bath of grape juice/wine, tickle their feet by squishing grapes in a kiddie pool [Lucy and Ethel style], or launch some grapes into wooden boxes adorned with world flags.

Delicious, wholesome, and plenty of entertainment for children and adults alike. Mom and Dad could also do some wine tasting....

Upcycled Art
Koreans are crazy awesome at recycling, if not the best in the world. Everything is sorted down to food, paper, plastic, aluminum, bottles, and everything else [which shouldn't be much].
Not to mention, they also use recycled material in their art as well. We stumbled across a pretty neat sculpture/toys/figures made out 100% recyclable materials. Go Korea!

Not to mention, there were plenty of arts and crafts for people to participate in such as bracelet making, sculpture building, sand art, or caricatures. Kids seemed entertained and engaged in the process--it was definitely fun to see their creativity burst throughout the different tents.

World Music
With world dancing, there is bound to be world music, right? That's like not asking peanut butter to marry jelly in a sandwich wedding. Wrong, just wrong. Ergo, there were many wonderful tents that provided opportunities for people to explore music and instruments from around the world. There were guitars, chimes, bells, ukeleles, wind instruments and more. My favorite tents included a percussion section--one where you could try out the instruments, and another tent where you could partake in a drumming class....up top, Korea! [high-five].

Traditional Food Market
Another highlight of the festival included a traditional Korean food market where you could find fresh produce, plants, flowers, traditional Korean street food such as ddeok [sticky rice cake], and we even had exciting entertainment: a medical emergency complete with a flock of Korean bystanders and a 5'1 Korean woman viciously yelling at a man twice her size. My friend and I seriously thought the man was getting a full body massage, turns out he was being "revived" until paramedics could arrive. True adventure at its finest.

Dance Battles
Our hour of freedom soon came to an end and our festival guide prompted us to meet at the Improv dance stage hosting a 'Comedy Dance-Off.' I never thought a dance-off could be so comedic and enlightening on purpose, but I was proved wrong that day. Many of the acts contained originality whereas some lacked tact, original thought, and skill. My favorites included a dancing ajumma, a 5 year old boy impersonating some wicked Psy dance moves, a latin dancer with a four inch loincloth and an antler head donning some Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, and just your average, everyday Korean bboy.

Little did I know that the top winners of the dance competition would walk away with a hefty check of 500,000 won or more. The overall winner danced away with 2.6 million won [more than my paycheck]. If only I had known about the youtube submission dates, yours truly would have more than willingly danced the night away in that competition.

The night winded down with some traditional Korean dancing, a dinner of seafood, rice and makgeolli and the grand finale of a Street Festival--a parade of World Dancers showcasing everything from traditional folk dances, teenagers bobbing their heads and shaking hips to K-pop, a dance competition among "tiny dancers," and a parade of Korean dignitaries.

The Street Festival was my favorite experience because it provided a chance to sit among dignified Korean sponsors of the World Dance Festival and ultimately reap the benefits of VIP status. We were seated in the VIP bleachers that came with pumpkin taffy, wine, cheese, grapes, and the best seats in the street! A kind Korean gentleman took notice of our foreigner faces right away and politely ushered food in our direction the rest of the night. We felt like true royalty!

Overall, you could say my day was packed with humor, adventure, and wonder. Of course there were things I would have done differently--such as not spending the entire day watching the comedy battles, exploring more of the Korean market, partaking in the arts and crafts, watching the huge video game battle [okay, maybe not this one], rubbing elbows with Korean locals and enjoying more of the professional and traditional folk dance competitions. However, with the [free] opportunity to partake in Korean and 'round the world culture, I can't really complain too much. I would do the day all over again...even with my adventurous travel hiccups. There is beauty in everything, good and bad, exciting or boring, ongoing or static. It all depends on how you carry [beauty] with you.

At least next time, I would have packed my dancing shoes.

"Dress classy; dance cheesy."

-PSY

**Some of the photos above were contributed by Evan Ryu **

This post would not have been possible without the sponsorship of The World Dance Festival Cheon-an.