Hiking, in Korea, is an old person thing. So when someone under the age of 40 invades their space it’s the talk of the mountain. Not that the old people are anything but hospitable.

Many times, I was motioned over and asked if I wanted some makgeolli – the traditional alcoholic beverage of hikers. All very nice. But seeing that it was usually around 10 am and I had to teach kids in three hours, I tended to decline the offer. My refusal to not get drunk led to the Ajeossis and Ajummas shaking their collective heads at this particular foreigner’s lack of manners.

Why hike if not to drink. It’s not like you’re going to find a gym in the woods.