Leaving the quiet of Baekyangsa, I felt refreshed and ready for more exploring. The train from the temple to Mokpo wound through mountain valleys and open farmland. This landscape now seemed familiar as I made my way to the southern tip of South Korea. Agriculture surrounded the cities and filled residential areas. Gardens producing fresh food tucked into common spaces around apartments, by roads, and chosen over grass yards that are common in America. The idea of function ov

The train rolled south out of Seoul before sunrise. As the lights of the city disappeared behind me, fog hung low over farmland and drifted beneath clusters of high-rise apartments. The sun climbed the horizon, slowly creeping across the mountains and the rooftops of smaller cities scattered along the route. Rows of vegetables, rice paddies, and a blend of old Korea and modern life passed by in silhouette, the morning light turning everything soft and golden. This was my firs

The terminal was enormous, filled with glowing screens, cartoon mascots, and cheerful announcements in a foreign language. I was in Korea. Arrival After a quick train ride from Incheon to Seoul Station, I stepped into the city carrying my bags and a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and disbelief.Seoul Station is a world of motion people moving in every direction, signs in Hangul and English, announcements echoing over the rolling wheels of luggage and the sounds of people movi