The three hour busride home… to… YangYang?
16 Apr
Busride to …where?
A few weeks ago I got on a bus from downtown with the idea that ‘all buses go to my house.’ Life Lesson #1: Not all buses go to Melissa’s house.
The next hour was spent admiring the dramatic mountains and coastline we were driving by.
Where I was going, I did not know. But I enjoyed every minute of it. Finally the bus ended up in a nearby town ‘Yang Yang’ or something. I exited the bus, only to find that there was NOTHING around except lots of rice fields and beautiful scenery.
Somehow the bus driver understood I was lost and helped me to the bus stop where I waited for a bus back to my home. I saw some cherry blossoms and took some pictures on the way.
This woman had one baby strapped to her back via a blanket and another toddler passed out in her lap. Supermom.
Bicycle Adventures: Getting Lost and Getting Found
I have been waiting a month for decent bike-riding weather, and finally IT IS HERE! The cherry blossoms are blooming; what better time to get a bike and adventure at an understandable pace. The bike I chose is totally beautiful. I love it. It is silver, sexy, and has wheel covers and a rack for boxes and such. Amy and I parked our bikes, who love each other and kiss often, outside the overpriced pizza hut.
Amy and I rode home after a long night of drinking, commemorating Liz’s 24th Birthday.
The should-have-been 15 minute ride took us nearly 45 because we got lost (surprise surprise) and somehow (due to my uncanny sense of direction, haha) we made it back to our neighborhood just in time for Amy to call to me, “I think I’m gonna throw up!” We made it home safely, sans puke, and immediately passed out.
The next day I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and on the bike. I rode to the post office and adventured my way through town. Somehow I found the beach, lots of shells and seaglass, and strolled around enjoying the beauteous sunlight and ocean breeze.
The next day, Sunday, Amy and I embarked on a crazy adventure in which we rode our bikes through the rice fields in the rain. As it downpoured, and the bike path ended, we were faced with an ominous decision: either turn around and go back the way we came or cross a raging river (six inches of rain-water, rocks, sand, the whole bit.) Of course, we crossed the river. It was hysterical. We were soaked, covered in dirt and sand, but somehow made it through the muck and onto the other side of the trail.
We first discovered temple in the middle of the woods near the lake. We explored and acted crazy for a bit. Amy banged her head on some concrete and fell into a mudpile.. thus the poop stain on her rear.
We made our way to Song Jung beach. Ten years ago, I recently found out, a North Korean submarine landed on this beach mistakenly. They exited the submarine and were mostly all killed. The crazy Koreans put up a military base here and closed off the beach to non-military officials. Of course, Amy and I made our way onto the beach (we found an open gate) and played in the ‘rabbit-holes’ surrounded by old tires and covered with black camo mesh.
The highlight of the hour was when a five year old boy ran onto the beach with a BB gun screaming machine gun sounds, “Bbbbrrrrr bang bang BBbbbBBRRrrrrRRrrr.” I almost duck-and-covered, but quickly realized he wasn’t shooting at me. He was a crazy child shooting BBs at the sand. Kids are stupid.
Amy tripped, again, and fell into the sand. Haha, but not without capturing in in a picture:
We also ran into a few dogs on our ride. First, while eating oodang at a plastic covered street vendor. The dog was kind and let Amy pet it. Then a little boy ran over and tried to scare the dog away. The woman vendor said the dog wasn’t hers, but it wore a collar. Amy loved it.
I spotted the second dog a block away, its golden hairs glistening in the distance. I LOVE PUPPIES, especially golden retriever puppies (r.i.p. leah). This one loved me, and many times tried to eat my face. I didn’t let him.
When I stood to leave, the dog laid down on the ground and gave me the saddest sweetest puppy eyes. As I hopped on my bike to go, he jumped up barking. I thought about setting him free to come home with me, but my little apartment has no space for a big guy like that. Regardless, I loved that dog.
Finally, Amy and I tried to make our way home. We asked a few people for directions and headed up the steepest of hills (death.) We thought about taking only roads that were downhill… but knew we’d never make it home for Liz’s spaghetti and mashed potato dinner.
I love my bicycle. It is beautiful. I can’t wait to explore all the inner crevices of this city. Little did I realize this city is HUGE. I hardly made it beyond my small neighborhood ‘Tek Chi’ while walking.
I love Korea.
MRumianowski
Lis, I love all of your fantastic pictures and the captions that go along with them. I feel like I’m right next to you as your telling me a story!
Lis, I love your amazing photos and the captions that go along with them. You’re such a great story teller. I feel like i’m right there with you.
Boo Whoo New Jersey Sucks !!!
I love the BIKE! the adventure and you!
I’ve got a bike now too!!
More adventures please… It’s been too long!
Melissa, I realize how old and crotchety I am, when your own mom writes how much she loves the bike, and all I can think of is you and your friend on a beach “closed to non-military personnell” that a bunch of other guys (who were not military personnell either) were killed on! When did you join the Korean army??My poor kids will have to go to the convent!!
No, really, sounds so cool. Enjoy.