I’m taking the time to relax and decide my next move. In such wonderful surroundings it seems silly to rush and not really look at what’s right in front of me.

With peace and serenity on my mind, I decided to do a short hike on Camel’s Back Road along the mountain ridge. Yesterday I confirmed what I knew in my heart was true–I am deeply out of shape. Sure I’ve lost a few kilos but my cardio has suffered during these fifteen weeks of traveling. I don’t think I could climb the stairs to my old apartment in Seomyeon right now. My heart nearly stopped when I climbed the hill yesterday with my backpack on to reach this hotel. I don’t think I fully recovered. I am in sad shape. Perhaps I need to have another massage.

I wanted to go horseback riding but the problem is the jockey leads the horse as you ride. That’s fine for beginners and kids but it would get very boring after a few minutes. The slow pace would drive me nuts. Tomorrow I will try to convince one jockey to let me take the horse myself.

The proprietors and staff in the hotel are treating me like I am a child. At 8 pm when I returned to the hotel after being away for hours, the owner made a comment about how late it was for me to be out. Then I mentioned I would order room service later but he insisted I order right then and there. Everyone in the lobby turned around and listened to my food order. Comical if you weren’t the main clown.