My Korea: Jiri Mountain
On a quiet night in the middle of October, I received a phone call from my best friends living all around Korea, announcing, “We will be arriving in Gwangju tomorrow night.” Their plan was to spend a night in Gwangju on their way to Jiri Mountain. I was glad to hear the news, as I had been anxiously waiting to see them again.
Upon their arrival in Gwangju, our family treated them with the best hanjeongsik (King’s table) around the Sangmu area. The Jeonnam region is famous for its Korean food, one of the reasons for our regional pride. When an outsider visits, it is our duty to treat them with the best. All my friends were in awe of the taste of Jeonnam. Since my friends had little time to travel, they were planning to leave for Jiri Mountain in the morning. To my surprise, I found out after work that they were waiting for me at a café. I ran to meet them and hopped into the van without any travel preparation. I felt light.
Tired from work, I fell asleep on the empty back seat looking up to the sky. A sudden stop at a rest area awoke me. One of my friends started to point up at the sky at a mysterious feather-like light. We were just in awe of the sight. I felt as though the hundreds of disturbances inside of me quieted down, and a sense of serenity surrounded me. It was warm.
Since it was getting dark, we sped up to the Jirisan National Park to see the sunset. The view of the mountain, sky and sunset that spread right before my eyes made me think of Heaven.
Soon after, we ate Chicken BBQ on a charcoal fire around the Piagol area. Upon our arrival, the chicken was almost already cooked, and numerous side dishes made from the ingredients found around Jiri Mountain were served. I must say it was the best dinner I have ever had in my life. The side dishes with the chicken just melted inside my mouth. Delicious!
That night I slept well with the sound of the water flowing from the valley. I woke up early and went for a short hike near the pension by myself. It was amazing to see how houses were built in almost every corner of the mountain. It reminded me of a mother’s arm embracing a child; the mountain was embracing the people, the houses and everything else in it.
Tired from the hike, I looked up at the sky, laying down on a big rock. My heart was free. I was surprised to find myself not worried about time. It almost seemed as if time stopped for eternity: no worries, no plan, I did not have to know what was next, just following, trusting. I believe life is meant to be this way. But it is not a life I can try to live. It just happens.