Last Saturday Sarah and I decided to go climb Dobongsan, the most popular mountain around Seoul. You get off at Dobongsan metro station which is situated on Line 7 and 1. It was a lot easier to get to then Suraksan since so many people were headed that way. In all situations just follow the other hikers, they led us straight to it. Along the way we saw many temples. Right from the beginning we past this amazing temple at the beginning of the trail:
It was quite massive, and was so immaculately clean that its hard to believe that it was a few centuries old. Monks really know how to maintain their temples.
This was another temple we saw along the way, and I recommend everyone to go see it. It is right after the first temple. If you go the way we went you will see it on your right, a huge hill with a sign and description of the temple. Although I do not know exactly when this buddhist monastery was made, I do know that the Buddha sculpture below was from the 1st century, making it over 1000 years old!! Which is crazy because it looks brand new!! 
Don't be afraid to go up there, the monks are very nice. I have never been turned away from a Buddhist temple, they are some of the most welcoming people, and are always willing to let you in.
The garden was beautiful, and so were the several sculptures scattered around. Tablets were also placed in piles, and they had a little cemetery for monks who had passed on.
The details on this temple were amazing. The must repaint the place every year because the temple was so vivid with color.
One of the most amazing things to see at these temples are the trees surrounding them, they are very interesting to say the least. I took a picture of one, it looks as though the tree is dancing with itself.
Ok, so this is a picture of a bee? it looks really insane, I did not have the chance to run into one, and hope to never have that chance. It looks like a plant is growing out of it, this picture really confused me!
Climbing Dobongsan was a lot more difficult then it first seemed. We followed the trail to Jaunbong Peak, which I think is the highest peak. It is ok for the first few kilometers, butfor about 1-1.5 km, it's completely up hill, just like you see in this picture of Sarah. You feel like it's going to end but it never seems to. I am sure there are less steep ways to go, but we definitely took the steepest and it took a lot of will power to get to the top.
We finally reached the top, and needless to say, I was freaked out. Heights scare me a tad, but what scared me even more was the several dozen people sitting on the peak, looking like they were ready to fall off. I couldn't handle it, I left after 5 mins on the top.
The view was spectacular though, and I do not regret it one bit. It really shows how much you accomplished when you look down.
On the way down I saw my first sign of fall, seeing that it is almost October, it is about time!
You can also rock climb Dobongsan, not that I ever would, but it is definitely an option. Just looking at these people made me weak.
On the way down we came to a little area filled with buddhist figurines, behind it was a temple. The temple actually serves free lunch, not sure when, but you have to wash your own plate!
On the way down, after the mountain, we passed a fish market which was incredible. They had everything from sea urchins to conches, it was crazy, and I want to try everything. I saw some Manta Rays, wouldn't mind to nibble on some of that. It was so fresh too, when people come to deliver fish there, they come in a car that basically carries an aquarium on its back, it is quite a sight to see and I regret not getting a picture of it.
Everything there smelled so good, I had no money but I would definitely recommend a sit down here for some authentic korean seafood.
Beautiful flowers in a garden on the way. This flower was very velvety it was so strange.
That night I went to a cultural exchange where I met many different people. French, Jewish, Korean, American, I loved it! It was a great way to experience Seoul. Korean people are so friendly, they just want to host, which I definitely enjoy! Thank you Ryu, the first really cute korean I met. Guess how old he is? 38! wtf?? incredible.
My two friends a I met at Itaewon, Eby and Tina. They are so awesome and I am so glad I went for it and decided to talk them. That's what's so great about foreigners here, most of them are so willing to talk and hang out, so you should have no fear of approaching anyone. Of course there is always the occasional douche bag, but I think the majority is always willing to chat with you.
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