Alone at the top

We were off school this Tuesday for a 'Swaton Day' (whatever that means). I decided to use this time for some adventuring. I hopped on the bus for Geryoungsan around 2PM. This was late for mountain climbing. Most folks were working so the foothills were noticeably empty and quiet. Plus, it was a cold and occasionally rainy day. Like an idiot, I forgot to bring a watch with me. I began the hike along a seemingly endless creek covered with trees that made the day even darker than it was. Along the path, I saw many Buddhist temples with women monks doing their daily activities. I'd been practicing the very strict method of praying at these temples and, after a while, I worked up the courage to give it a try. No amount of confidence can really prepare me for the awe of these solemn temples. I took my shoes off at the entrance and entered the dimly lit prayer room. There are lit candles adding to the mystique. I centered myself in the middle of a Buddha statue with a red mat at my feet. I was the only one in the room but I could see a Buddhist praying on the floor in the room next to me. And, as she watched me, I lost all composure and quickly went through the praying motions thinking less of the balance in the world and more of how I could get out of there without exposing myself as a fraud. From all outward appearances, I am more of a tourist in the temple than a true Buddhist, but it is exhilarating to enter those temples and bow to that jovial statue. I continued my hike and the only people I saw were coming down from the mountain. I had no idea how soon until nightfall, so I opted to run up the mountain and get as high as I could before the paranoia set in. Normally, I like to hike leisurely so as to take in the entire scene, but I was on a mission. Goal: Great Heights. Every now and again (I had no concept of time), I would have to stop to listen to my heart beat like Lars Ulrich's kick-drum. I hadn't been scrambling up for long before I was drenched in sweat. Eventually, my body was threatening to give up and the darkness was setting in. But I REALLY wanted to reach the peak, if only for a minute. I saw the orange staircase to heaven signifying the peak and I ascended.