That’s pretty much how I roll on my hikes…and my life now that I think about it.
And another weekend is drawing to a close. Here’s how I spent mine.
An early night on Friday. Not because I was trying to change my ways. I just got drunk by nine o’clock. I do know when to say when. Well, I know when I’ve had too much of a good thing at least.
Saturday morning I was up by seven. Did some laundry and made me some breakfast.
I’m getting better at bacon, I’ll grant myself that…
Then it was time to head for the mountain. Namsan to be precise.
I had planned to start here, which has a gazillion steps leading in the direction of the Grand Hyatt. Right after I took this photo a construction worker waved me off the staircase with the entreaty “Not Safe!” Being in no position to argue I went with plan B…
…so I started my climb here. I stayed on the trails for the most part which I prefer to the roads, although the hiking is steeper and more difficult…
Another crossroads…
…I took this path as it appeared less traveled by…
…it eventually led me to this long ass flight of stairs…
…at the top was this little area in the middle of nowhere featuring a bell, some exercise equipment, and a picnic pavilion…
The Korean equivalent to an azalea bush was in full bloom…
I came across a section of the old city wall I hadn’t seen before…
My standard Saturday afternoon date…
It was a lovely day for a walk. Sure, the Yellow dust was thick but I had the trails almost entirely to myself…
By this point in the walk I was very glad I was walking down these seemingly endless stairs…
The park across from the Grand Hyatt was as beautiful as it was empty.
It was good to be communing with nature on Eartha day…
Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died?
I’m accepting applications but so far no takers…
All told I racked up 3 hours on and around the mountain. Came home, grilled up some chicken on a stick, then took a satisfying nap.
A friend called and asked to meet up at Shenanigans. I hadn’t planned on going out so early, but what the hell. So I showered up and headed out. Right before I arrived I got a text message from my friend saying she was drunk and leaving. Ah well.
I had three San Miguel Light beers and two gin and sodas. Feeling a little stiff from my walk I headed over to the nearby Thai massage joint. Had a lovely lass rub oil all over my body. She asked if I wanted to be rubbed “down there” and I told her “no thanks”. I was just enjoying being relaxed. When my hour was up I walked up gay hill, through tranny alley, and down hooker hill to Grand Ole Opry. At the Opry I enjoyed some country music and three gin and sodas. Then I made my way to the new Debut and had a couple more. Made it home safely by 11:00 or so and not so inebriated as to be floored.
Up at 7:00 again this morning. Put a pork roast in the crock pot, boiled some eggs to take to work next week, and chopped up some celery (also for workplace snacking). Then I did the dishes.
I couldn’t seem to induce a bowel movement this morning, but I did my weekly weigh-in anyway. The scale said 241.7, a 2.1 pound GAIN from last week. Discouraged but undaunted, I set about on my quest to the Han river. My plan was to walk across the Army base and pick up the Han in Ichon-dong. About the time I reached the Dragon Hill Lodge, my bowels kicked in so I used the facilities in the hotel. Feeling lighter on my feet afterwards I continued my journey.
Now, when I walk I put on my earphones and listen to my YouTube play list. Near the high school a car pulls up and the driver says you are not allowed to wear headphones while walking on base for “safety and security” reasons. I thanked him for the information (I honestly did not know) and he told me it was good that the MPs didn’t see me. He also revealed that he was in charge of the MPs so I was glad that I had been gracious in my response.
I put my headphones in my pocket until I excited the base at Ichon station. I wasn’t exactly sure where the river access point was but I found it in due course. Along the way I passed a church and standing out front was my big boss’ Korean wife. She was surprised to see me and asked if I was a “visitor”. I laughed and said no, just passing by. She then asked if everything was okay. I told her it was, I was just doing my Sunday walk. I guess exercise must seem out of character for me.
This is the furthest down the river I’ve been on foot. Although back in my bicycling days I’ve gone many miles in both directions…
As I approached the Bampo bridge, the fountains went off. Sorry I couldn’t manage a better picture.
Two and a half hours on the road. I downloaded a new pedometer app which I like a lot better. It said I did 16,486 steps today. I was dead tired when I got home though. I gave the scale a chance to redeem itself and it obliged by stating my weight at 238.3. That’s down 1.3 pounds from last week, so I’ll call that progress. I think I’m approaching the wall—my body is adapting to the new norm of reduced carbs and routine exercise (in the form of walking). Well, there’s not much else I can do to step it up, but we’ll see. I need to lose another 20 pounds.
As I get lighter I like to think I’m looking younger. So, I changed my profile picture on Facebook.
That’s me circa 1978. 23 years old and reading Lord of the Rings. Man, there is so much I’d like to tell that guy…Like invest in Microsoft…
Anyway, I’ll wrap up the weekend with my singles league dart match and the requisite aiming fluid that is so essential to high level performance in a game that requires precise hand-eye coordination. Ha!
Tomorrow morning I’ll get up early and get a blood test done before work. Tuesday morning I have my follow-up appointment with the cardiologist. There will be somewhat less of me to examine this go round at least.
Cheers!
I hear some people been talking me down Bring up my name pass it round. They don’t mention the happy times, they do their thing, I do mine.
Walk on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgjK2ITm_eM
Great pics, and a marvelous walk. You’re finding all sorts of Namsan trails that I knew nothing about.
As for that 1978 photo of you, I’m getting a definite “Noonan from Caddyshack” vibe.
Haha! I had to follow the link. I honestly did not remember that Noonan character. Thanks. I think.