Hiking in Korea

So Nate celebrated Columbus Day the Korean way this past Monday--by going hiking! Seriously, this could (and may be) a national pastime for Koreans. Nate took some beautiful landscape shots, and if you're anything like me before I went there, the scenery is a bit surprising/unexpected.

Then there's the Korean "way" of hiking. What I mean by this is that in addition to the paths and trails varying in degree of difficulty, they also always have stretching stations (as Nate and his colleagues are so aptly demonstrating below). And they have these stretching stations/platforms, everywhere. AND these stations are not just for show, as they are here back in the states. Koreans actually stop and use these platforms and poster demonstrations as guidance. Culturally, I'd say Koreans are much more avid hikers than any other place/culture Nate or I've seen...so these stations are no doubt there for a great reason. Though I'll admit, when I was stationed over at Osan from '06-'07, we Americans would always go right on by these platforms/stations... Good to see that Nate and his friends aren't following American suit, and are stopping to stretch it out. Even if their faces during stretches makes you feel there is an essence of mocking... ;)