Just In Case...

If you want to see the photos in a larger format just click on it to open it in a new window. All of you probably know that but just in case...

Life for the Legs

After being back in Kalispell for about a week I mustered the courage to unzip my duffel bag of trekking supplies from Nepal. It accompanied Suzie and Read when they returned to Montana back in March so it was very much like cracking open a time capsule. As I pulled the zipper and peaked inside a roaring wave of memories crashed over me. The smell of smoke from the dung burning stoves in the tea houses, dust from the trail, and the scent of the wild Himalayan air lingered in the fleece, down, soft shells, and wool like an exotic perfume. Was it a pleasant aroma? No, it certainly was not but I couldn't help from kneeling and clutching a down coat as the smell propelled me back in time. Each place has a distinctive sense about it that no number of photographs, words, or souvenirs can capture. Even memories weakly fade away. Perhaps some would call it a spirit or energy, not in a New Age fashion but where it irrevocably pierces your heart. It is that power that calls you to visit a place rather than read about it in National Geographic. Kneeling, I recalled the countless thoughts, sights, and interactions from this two month excursion with sadness because it is now history but also with profound gratefulness for this gift. It passed with astounding speed and in many ways it seems like it was but a shifting mirage; an idyllic dream. The crazy thing is, it wasn't a vision. It was real. How I have been blessed! I pray that I will learn to utilize what I have learned and my gifts to fulfill the plan God has for the everyday and in the bigger scheme.

While out and about I had a selection of works by Henry David Thoreau as a loyal companion. This excerpt from "A Week on the Merrimack and Concord Rivers" says pretty much everything I would like to say.

"True and sincere traveling is no pastime, but it is as serious as the grave, or any part of the human journey, and it requires a long probation to be broken into it. I do not speak of those who travel sitting, the sedentary travelers whose legs hang dangling all the while, mere idle symbols of the fact, any more than when we speak of setting hens we mean those that sit standing, but I mean those whom traveling is life for the legs. The traveler must be born again on the road, and earn a passport from the elements, the principle powers that be for him. He shall experience at last that old threat of his mother fulfilled, that he shall be skinned alive. His sores shall gradually deepen themselves that they may heal inwardly, while he gives no rest to the sole of his foot, and at night weariness must be his pillow, that he may acquire experience against his weary days. So it was for us."

Thank you ever so much for sharing in this Asian Adventure. In one sense or another we are all travelers in this world. So, dear friends, may you find "life for the legs".

Keep On Truckin'

Yes, I am going to the next place:
1) Gary Cooper, a famed actor of the golden age of Hollywood was born here.
2) This area covers 145,557 square miles.
3) This place was first explored for France by François and Louis-Joseph Verendrye (1740's).
4) The cabs of some of the trucks here are larger than people's homes in 3rd world countries.

The First Mile

It seemed an easy enough task. All that we needed to do was walk from City Hall to the Namdaemun Market, from point A to B, from here to there. The only issue was that we weren't exactly sure which direction was north. Slight prob. Our map was suspiciously undetailed in its simplicity and although my two aunts and I had Korean faces our tongues were American through and through. Seoul, South Korea is a city in fast forward, western style, but surprisingly few people speak English. Within a few street crossings and jay walks we were, as Montanans say, "up a crik" aka lost in a gargantuan city.

We recognized the futility of our task and meekly slinked into a high-rise lobby. Of course, the receptionist could not speak a syllable of English but delicately urged us to wait. Within minutes a distinguished businessman folded into a trim suit and impeccable tie descended from his lofty office to address the fuss. He was the exemplar of the traditional Korean businessman. His tidy appearance and dignified salt and pepper hair outdid Brooks Brothers. Everything in his manner was respectable, stoic, and capable. We inquired, he nodded and gave directions. He led the way to the glass revolving door and passed through with a patient invitation. We followed him down the steps like ducklings after the father duck to the sidewalk where power suits and trendy sets rushed by. He kept walking. How kind! He was going to escort us to the street corner! The traffic was thick and impatient but the crosswalk beckoned us across. He stepped off the curb and glanced regally over his shoulder to usher us along. Ever attentive, our friend the random businessman walked sideways beside us and held his hands out to shield us from traffic like a traffic aid at preschool. What the heck?! We stifled our giggles and shared expressions of incredulity as he continued to lead the way. Why, he intended to take us all of the way to the market! Who does this? What businessman would take time from work to escort three random tourists around in the middle of the afternoon? We grinned and followed nonetheless. From time to time he would recognize a colleague on the street, pause, bow serenely, and continue on with us ever in tow. Finally, he came to a halt, turned and gestured to a banner overhead. "Namdaemun Market". He bowed slightly with the most perfect of posture and gently handed us over to the entrance. As his figure departed we stood in shock as we attempted to resolve the matter and motive. Had that really happened?! He walked us all of the way here! What a peach! What a highlight! Can you imagine someone doing that for you in LA? NY? Me neither! There are those who may walk the extra mile with you but how many will show you that first and most important mile?