Today I went in search of those elusive photographs to be used in this blog. It was also a journey to see how well I could remember all of the places to which I have been introduced these past few weeks. It was sunny and bright and I was happy to have my sunglasses, though I did miss being able to walk around in a spaghetti strap top. I have yet to get comfortable running around town in short shorts so for the moment I'll be satisfied with being hot (better too hot than freezing!).

The beautiful sidewalk greeted me. Walking in the shade was relatively peaceful as cars go by. While apartment buildings soared high above me, I was protected by the pines, oaks and hedges and in some places concrete walls eight feet high covered in ivy. A line of trees of various types barricades the road from the sidewalk as if to create a natural force field. It was almost as if the vegetation itself was guarding pedestrians from any sort of industrial distraction that might disturb an afternoon stroll.

As I entered Incheon City Hall Subway Station, I could hear music blaring from the main hall. Groups of teen gathered with their friends on a Sunday afternoon, practicing their latest dance moves in various corners or just hanging out, enjoying time away from the rest of the world. From young girls in short shorts to young men dressed all in black with their hats turned backwards, it is as if the youth of Incheon have been condensed into one central locale, free to express themselves through music and dance. It made me smile remembering how even an act such as this seem so rebellious as if you had given yourself that much more freedom.

I emerged back into the sunlight from the metro in Jungong Park. Imagine Central Park minus the zoo, condensed and placed in near Incheon City Hall. It's full of exercise machines, basketball courts, walking trails and even a soccer field or two. In the middle of one of the five strips that make up the long narrow park is a lovely fountain in which children can be seen playing on a hot summer afternoon. The cicadas buzzed wildly as I strolled through the park along the one of the paths lined with small benches and towering trees. Peeking around the corner a statue of a funny god carved out of wood can be seen laughing hysterically at a joke only he seems to know.

I was almost saddened to leave the park, but in truth I was exiting one part of the park and entering another, where I was greeted by basketball courts, volleyball courts and an astroturf soccer field all full of athletes eager to stretch after three days of misty rain. I took the steps down from the park before I reached the children's playground afraid that I may be sucked in to the park and not want to leave. As pleasant as it sounds, I was on a mission today. As I crossed the street, I heard the referee blow his whistle for end of the match. I smiled remembering how many times I've heard that sound.

The next segment of the park displayed rock features topped with beautiful pines, standing almost in defiance of the city with water trickling down the sides of the rocks. It seemed like the perfect place to seek solace or relax after a stressful day of work or even just to stroll. Perhaps take a quick turn on the exercise machines.

It is here that I cross the street for Home+. It is located in a small mall with Home+ being located on the two basement floors, the first and second floors home various clothing boutiques and coffee shops, while the third holds the food court. I am tempted to stop by one of the café's for a crushed ice dessert but when I get to a coffee shop I find I've decided on a green tea frappe, for which I would pay four dollars. The general rule I have found, no matter the country, is that in situations like this, food court food is cheaper than café food. Sure enough, I find a vendor in the food court with exactly what I am looking for, for half the price. The kind old man asks me smiling if I want whipped cream on top and when I nodded eagerly her seemed to smile wider (if it was possible). He gave me a stamp card 'Buy Eight, Get One Free' with one square already stamped and I thanked him. It was just as good as if I had got it at the café, but I didn't blame the café, the rest of the money you pay is for the atmosphere. I just so happened to not need the atmosphere this afternoon and as such did not feel the need to pay for it.

I was supposed to head to Shinsegae, the main mall, but it was getting pretty hot and I wanted to rest before heading up the mountain. Besides, I told myself, Shinsegae is much nicer looking after dark. I could catch a bus or wander back home on foot. It was a lovely day so I opted for the later. By then it was already around two in the afternoon.

Around four o'clock I decided that it would be the perfect time to go get pictures of the mountain (I think perhaps it is a small portion of a small series of mountains; it's larger and rockier than a hill but seems to small to be a mountain). I donned my sneakers and mentally prepared myself for the stairs. It still hurt going up them but the rest of the mountain just got my endorphins pumping. Hopefully, I can get myself to do this trail regularly, taking a pedometer with me so that I actually know how out of shape I am. The view is always worth it, no matter how poorly I feel at the top. The way back down was nothing. It made me want my hiking boots and to go on a small trek up a larger mountain. The crags were no problem. So long as I avoided stairs I was fine.

I got back to the house about an hour later, ready to eat. I loaded up on carbs and wished that I had more protein. My blood was still pumping though so I decided to clean to until the adrenaline and endorphins burned off. All in all, I reflected, it was a decently productive day. I uploaded the pictures and started writing. The weekends never seem long enough. On the other hand, work isn't half bad either. For the first time in my life, I don't dread Mondays.