When we lived in Korea, just south of Seoul in the Bundang area, we have the good fortune of living in an apartment complex right next to a river complete with a walking and biking trail. Someone truly ambitious could ride a bike all the way into the heart of Seoul, I was told. But for me, the trail was more about a leisurely walk or bike ride, sometimes with - sometimes without- the family. I absolutely loved the trail because it was a green space to enjoy people and nature watching. As I walked down the trail toward my school (a one hour and 45 minute walk or 30 minute bike ride), the river would be on my left and an embankment and then busy road would be on my right. The river often housed large waterfowl, like heron, fish, and ducks. After a few minutes, I would arrive at a workout area common in our experience of Korea. Mostly, one would see older people stretching or strengthening, twisting or lifting. Much of the time the equipment would be in use as I passed by. A bit further, and periodically throughout the trek, there would be huge rectangular boulders placed strategically in the water to create a hoppable path from one side of the river to the other, where another walking path lined the river.
It is common for many people to be on the path, bikers, walkers, runners, friends chatting, families with children in strollers. It is also common to see people walking small breed dogs on their leashes. Sometimes the dogs would have a pink tail or pink ears, having survived some traumatic trip to a salon - no doubt. From time to time the path winds directly under a highway bridge, so the sounds of the city are anything but muted. Mostly, the cement structures were free of grafitti and garbage, typical of the cleanliness of Seoul.
A bit further on where the trail forked into a few different directions, I would cross a bridge. This would be a great spot to admire the dozen or so catfish usually hanging out there. The path would separate into to parallel paved paths, one for bikes and one for pedestrians. Sometimes an old gentleman would cruise past on his bike with his personal radio playing a local station with Korean music. Most days I would see at least one adjuma (older woman) covered from head to toe in fabric, afraid of any sunlight touching her body. It wouldn't matter the temperature, a hot day was as good as a cool one to be covered with a visor with fabric hanging over everything but eyes and nostrils, long sleeves, gloves, matching wind pants, and bright shoes.
Another fifteen minutes or so and I would reach the dog park section. This was basically a low metal fence with two doors bordering a 20X40 ft area for dogs of any size and their owners to let them off leash and run around. Usually there were 5 - 10 dogs there. It was the one place I might spot a golden retriever or some cute puppy with their giggly children throwing a ball. Further yet, there was an outdoor water-play area for little children. Continue on and the water would be on the right and the rising cityscape on the left. The hustle and bustle of cars, taxis, buses, and people walking at Sunae would waft down to me as I strolled along, one hour into my trek. If I made it all the way to Sunae and it were spring time, the cherry blossoms would be out in full force, thick and fragrant and all around you. This is one of the lovelier spots I know of - anywhere.
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