Helsuh Cohsuh

This is my main school, 설천중학교 (Seolcheon Middle School), and the surrounding villages.

     I was invited on a hike after lunch today by my principal, who he repeatedly referred to it as a 헬스코스 (pronounced 'Helsuh Cohsuh') which just means in this context 'a hike for health'.  I work in a very beautiful place.

     My principal's English is very limited, but he is always very excited to try and speak with me.  He seems to like me a lot (although, I'm not sure exactly why), and is always trying his best to ask me about my plans, or teach me about Korea.

     We were accompanied by one of the younger teachers who has a better understanding of English, but isn't fluent.  Through the hike, between their English skills and my Korean, we only had to use our phones to translate a few times.  I got to see a little bit of my community that I hadn't seen very closely before, and learn a bit about it, as well as the plants around the area.

     Among other things, I learned the boundaries of the various small towns that make up the community of this part of 남해 (Namhae), and it was explained to me that the County of Namhae built a system of wells and irrigation pipes throughout the island.  I got the impression that this was a particularly special or uncommon thing in Korea, from the way he explained it.  I suppose it is different for a county government to make a point to irrigate the land instead of the farmers themselves.

     It was a gorgeous hike with some good (albiet a little confused) conversation.

The view in front of a vacation home we found on top of one of the hills near my school.

The vacation home we found near my school.

This is a grave just up the hill from the vacation home.
It is apparently a big no-no to have a grave near your house,
but I suppose these people are real rebels.