An Unexpected Journey: Mudeung Mountain

By Myungjoon Kim

One day, I went to Mudeung Mountain by myself. It was an unexpected trip right after an argument with my mom. I was angry. So I decided to go out and have a walk. When I was roaming near a bus station, I saw a bus coming. Suddenly I felt a strange urge that forced me to get on that bus. I followed my instinct. As I looked at the bus routine, I notice that the final destination was Jeung-Sim temple, which is located at the foot of Mudeung Mountain.

Most people who are going to a mountain prepare delicious food as well as hiking clothing and gear. But unfortunately, I was wearing a white T-shirt, a thin blue & white checked utility shirt, quite tight jeans and a pair of uncomfortable shoes. I didn’t bring much food, so I wanted to conserve it. However , I didn’t have lunch before the trip either. What a perfect combination!

Although I did not prepare at all, I felt that I could reach the top of the mountain. I did not know where my courage was coming from. Strange. As I climbed the mountain, my courage turned to doubt. The sun was shining, my body was exhausted because of thirst and hunger. When I sat down on a bench to rest, an old woman spoke to me. I was quite embarrassed at first because I am rather shy with strangers. But that suspicion melted away as I spoke with her. She was so sweet and kind to me. We talked about ordinary things that I usually only talk about with my friends. She gave me some tips to get to the top and short cuts as well as some food, which appeased my hunger. It was really an extraordinary experience, which I could not have had in the city. In town, we see more people than on the mountain and we have more things to give. However, for some reason, we do not talk to or help somebody who is in trouble. I reflected on myself and I felt ashamed, too.

After a short break with her, I kept walking and walking. I felt colder and it was windier as I went up. I didn’t have much food left. I was worried inside but I kept going on. I did not know how but I just focused on walking — focused on the present. Later, I could see whole city of Gwangju. It was really beautiful. At the same time, I felt a kind of emptiness in my head, too.  It was like the emptiness that we feel after we buy something that really we wanted for a long time. I felt that emptiness because I had reached the peak and there was only down from here.

The sun was still high. I loved the weather and the spectacular view there. I wanted to stay longer but I had to go. My head was filled with a kind of clash between those two different feelings. While I was half way down, a man in his 50s asked me the way to Jeung-Sim Temple. So I went down with him, showing him the way. We talked for about two hours, which I have never before with a stranger. The conversation with him makes me realize that you should not only enjoy the pursuit of a goal, but also enjoy the process. If it had not been for him, my last part of journey would have been boring. Everything I did that day was unexpected. But those unexpected things changed me into being a more positive and giving person.

It has been few months since I had that trip. I still miss that feeling which makes my heart race even now. But unfortunately, I am just a high school student, which means I am supposed to stay at school most of the time against my will. It is late at night now. The sky is deep dark. But I am still gazing at the mountain, which is concealed by darkness.