Rose of Sharon,Mugunghwa in Korean, from the hybiscus family, Korean national flower, treasured as a heavenlly flower since ancient times. The Silla kingdom, one of the three most important kingdoms in Korean history also called itself "The Mugunghwa country" and sometimes ancient Chinese referred to Korea as "the land of gentlemen where mungungwha grows." The flower is also mentioned in the national anthem of Korea. After Korea was liberated from the Japanese colonial rule, mugunghwa was adopted as the national flower of Korea. It's like Koreans themselves: lots of them everywhere, and at first you see them as quite ordinary, but if you really stop to look beauty and grace are revealed in abundance. The proof is in this picture taken next to Tangun's shrine at Sajik Park where Debbie and I finished our Oct. 9th (Sunday) Inwangsan hike.

Hiker B on Inwangsan - only three days after my first hike on this small but quite pretty mountain that boast some of the best views of Seoul.

Since Jiwon's departure and Clare's occupation with her M.A. work and/or posh conference presentations, Debbie has become my truest hiking buddy. Suffice it to say that we hiked last Sunday after her night of drinking and my night of not sleeping at all because of some nonsensical printing job performed in the third floor apartment, right above mine - all night until 5:00 a.m.

For the second time that week I hiked on Inwangsan.  

Spotted at Sajik Park, at one of the oldest shooting ranges in Korea.