I'm off!
Running off the mountain...
The hand that helped me win the only game I won that night after 20+ games of go-stop.
It's official now that I have the certificate!
Some friends waiting for their take-off.
Random rock park next to the paragliding base camp.
About to take-off...
The view I had from the top.
Going down the mountain...
Some friends...
Yay!!!
Say cheese!
Early Saturday morning I woke up to beautiful weather and the realization that I was going paragliding soon. Throughout the morning prior to going to Pyeongchang for paragliding, I received messages of late change of plans (missed bus, etc). The entire week spent planning and making reservations for the experience was definitely interesting. I must have called the paragliding center 6 or more times to reschedule our reservations. Regardless, Heidi, Angella, Hyung Bin, Niel, and I made it safely to the paragliding center. Expecting a training session prior to take-off, I was surprised to learn that we were to receive verbal training on the car up the mountain and were immediately put in our suits to take off. I was basically given 2 instructions. One, keep running off the mountain and don’t stop. Two, when you land, lift up your legs.
20 minutes after arriving at the center, I was literally running off a mountain attached to a parachute device and a certified glider. For the next 10 minutes, I was airborne, feeling the rush of wind against my face. Quietly, I gazed upon the city and mountains as we soared above making circles above the forest. When it came to landing, I lifted my legs up and hit the soft sand without any trouble. Strangely, there was no thrill to the experience…it was more like a very peaceful flight. Jet-skiing and tubing with my sister was much more heart-pumping. However, paragliding is a notch above parasailing. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
20 minutes after arriving at the center, I was literally running off a mountain attached to a parachute device and a certified glider. For the next 10 minutes, I was airborne, feeling the rush of wind against my face. Quietly, I gazed upon the city and mountains as we soared above making circles above the forest. When it came to landing, I lifted my legs up and hit the soft sand without any trouble. Strangely, there was no thrill to the experience…it was more like a very peaceful flight. Jet-skiing and tubing with my sister was much more heart-pumping. However, paragliding is a notch above parasailing. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
Hyungbin caught a bus back to his city, so 4 of us went back to my town to enjoy odang and hodduk being sold at the street stalls. Niel went back to his town, and we met up with my roommate at Suwon, Steven. After eating sulungtang and drinking some makkoli we rested at my home. Deciding that it was too early, we caught a 8PM bus to Phoenix Park, the local ski resort that offers free bus rides from my town. At Phoenix Park we enjoyed the snow and an amazing arcade where every game costs 300-500 won (even Time Crisis). Around 11 we took a taxi back to my place and played go-stop until 2 in the morning. Strangely, in my small room we managed to all fit and sleep pretty comfortably. The next morning I made breakfast and they headed back to their respective cities.
Well, this weekend was definitely a blessing as new experiences with good friends were combined. Now, a new week will begin.
3 comments:
Refreshing as always :) Great pictures, Jason. I'm sure you'll have another great week!
By the way, Kevin Du's parents threw him a birthday party today (sunday). I was super late since I had a boyscouts meeting. We're going fishing/camping next week! I'm expecting good things. We wrote down the foods each scout was going to bring to the camp and taught them how to set up their fishing rods at the meeting. Anyway, I got to speak to Meredith today (Kevin's gf) and it was quite pleasant. She's quite awesome indeed. They're one lucky couple! Having gotten there a bit late, I missed the what was supposed to be 50 people that showed up to Kevin's house. Can you imagine that? I got to eat great food, play a board game called cranium, I believe... and then kareoke in front of Kevin's parents who were taking pictures and recording us while we sang.
We're having a thanksgiving get together soon, and I can't wait for that. Of course... in the midst of all of this, I keep on imagining how much more awesome it would all have been if you were here. We all miss ya buddy, but I want you to come back when you're well and ready to do so. Anyway, just giving you a mini update from this end. Fight on! (no seriously, have a good one ^^ )
dang jason!
i guess paragliding is classssy since its so calming and peaceful. man, looking at those pictures and reading about yoru experiences make me really want to do it. crazyyyy. HEY! you shoudl stop by jejudo island and scuba dive before you come back - that was hella fun! i thought i was drowning once, lol, but i just wasn't used to the underwater breather mask thing. anyway - i can't wait till yo ucome back - we have so much to talk about .my car rocks by the way - VRMM VRMMM. Her name's EVA
you're training to be an international spy!
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