4 A.M. workout group at the Namseongjeong Pavilion

I’m sitting in the Namseongjeong Pavilion awaiting the Sun’s arrival. It has warmed up a bit, but the fierce Jeju wind is making me glad I bought my new windbreaker.

Last night Tommy invited me to a wedding reception, and though I was awfully tired, I jumped at the chance for the experience and the opportunity to meet more of his friends. Tommy’s brother (old friend) seemed to think my Korean comprehension had vastly improved since we last spoke and as always I was glad to have Tommy provide me with the occasional summary of what was being said. Aside from partaking in the usual rounds of Sojo shooting, Tommy told me that traditionally, eating a lot of food is a way of showing the host that you are enjoying yourself. That was all I needed to hear... I feel as if I assured them of their party’s great success.

I declined a ride home, because I didn’t intend to sleep in my bed. I had my pack and I headed over to and up Sammaebong and spent a good long while looking out over the lights of Seogwipo. Eventually I put up my hammock and quickly fell asleep - it had been a long weekend. I awoke at 3:00 to harsh winds and the cold night air. I had been reading for 30 minutes when it began to rain. I packed up the hammock and, having moved under the shelter of the pavilion, I fell back asleep. I had set my alarm for 6:00 thinking I might wake before the early birds of Seogwipo would arrive to use the exercise playground atop the hill.

A half hour later I awoke again, this time to the sound of footsteps. I had drawn the top of my sleeping bag shut, so I was unable to see the feet that had stopped about a meter from where I lay. Just when I began to wonder what this individual might be up to , the man let out a cry that should be reserved for soldiers entering battle for the first time. After I had cleared the terrifying thoughts from my mind, it was all I could do to keep myself from laughing and pretend that I had just slept through THAT! This was to be the first of three yells as the man stood facing the ocean.

Eventually, the man left and I had only been asleep for a short while when I again woke to the sound of footsteps. After his bout of morning yelling, this man was joined by another. I felt that, judging by the direction of their voices and the duration of their stay, these men had taken an interest in the sleeping bag that lay, poking out from behind one of the benches. Again, footsteps grew near and suddenly one of the men yelled, “YOOOO!” as he stood bent over me. I figured there was no use pretending I had slept through that one, but I wish I could have seen the look on their faces when a head covered in blonde hair poked out of the sleeping bag. I greeted the pair in Korean, as they sat on the other side of the pavilion looking at me, laughing, and speaking excitedly in Korean. One eventually said, “so sorry!” and off they went down to the exercise yard.

I thought it best to join them, and after a loooooonnggg morning stretch (concrete is not nearly as comfortable as a hammock) I put on my jacket and did my best to fend of the cold of the night until the sun’s appearance. The exercise yard has a fantastic selection of equipment and the view is a hard one to top. The two men left, but before the sun rose at least 20 men and women had visited the pavilion... and here I was thinking I was going to have a quite night of quality sleep. I have to admit that just after the two men had left, I stood at the railing of the Namseongjeong Pavilion and, facing the ocean, I yelled like there was no tomorrow. While those of you reading this probably think I’m a weirdo, I urge you to try this. It is the best way to great the morning and I say this, because this has been one of the best I’ve had.

While I somehow doubt that I will ever again be part of the 4:30 workout crew of Namseongjeong Pavilion, I’m even more certain it is an experience I will not soon forget!

Pictured below - Overlooking Seogwipo at night, the Namseongjeong Pavilion, Sunrise on the way down Sammaebong, some Korean's playing Croquet at 6:30 A.M (with a rainbow in the backgroud), and the sun continuing to rise as rain started to fall.