Chuseok Sept 2010

Were it all began...

A couple of South Africans hangin' around waiting for the bus

This is the trip where Hawie and met and hit it off. :) Chuseok is Korea's Thanksgiving, so to speak. It falls on the Lunar Calendar and usually is in September every year. We get the day before and after off. So if the means the actual Chuseok day is Wednesday, we get Tuesday and Thursday off as well. What about Monday and Friday? That's right, we work those days. Korea just operates like that. If a holiday falls on a Wednesday, we have Wednesday off and that's it. Korea has not caught on to the rest of the world where they would move that holiday to a Monday or Friday to make a long weekend. Oh Korea! So Chuseok 2010 we had Tues-Thursday off. Herman and I, being avid rock climbers, had scouted out a place called Moraksan (San in Korean means mountain), weeks before. That is an entirely different story and adventure for another post. Herman got a few of us together and we decided to head out to climb and hang out at Moraksan for a few days.  Herman, Hawie, Brechtje, Sarah and myself headed out. We had a blast hanging out, climbing some rocks (some was their first time outside climbing) and just enjoying the beautiful weather. Some of the climbing was difficult and there weren't a lot of problems but enough to keep us busy. Herman and I went back a few more times after, seeing as it was close-ish to where we lived and we were out climbing almost every weekend.

Herman and Sarah drinkin some coffee on the hike up! Herman is never without his coffee. ;)

Herman killing it on a problem

Hawie, Bretchjie and Sarah relaxing

Sarah showing off her breaking an apple in half skills!

Success!

Hawie's first time bouldering outside!

Go Sarah, GO!

Me on the same problem. We worked it most of the day.

Go for it!

Hawie and Herman observing from the top. ;)

Heading down just in time for the sunset!

Sunset over Anyang City outside of Seoul

A little fun and games

Sending off. The adjuma (older lady) is not quite sure what to do with all these foreigners sitting next to her.

Our Story

When we talk to people and tell them our story, it sounds very romantic. Wow! You are traveling the world for a year, they say. I am so jealous! People romanticize the idea. And why not? It is adventurous and brave. Stepping out of one's comfort zone. People love the idea of travel. Here's our story and how this massive adventure began!

We will make the first part quick and painless. We have this part of the story down to a T. Hawie and I met in South Korea where we taught for 5 years. We met through a mutual friend, clicked, fell in love and got hitched, all in Korea. Hawie being South African and myself being American, we had a few decisions to make. One, we had not met the families yet nor had we seen and experienced each other's home countries. We could either save our hard earned money and visit the US and South Africa then decide what country to settle in and use the savings to get us started or travel for a year. Well the answer to that question was obvious! As soon as we realized this was going to be possible, we ran out to the local bookstore bought a world map, put up in the apartment and started planning. It took 2 and half years of saving and planning but we got it done! Our first plan was a little crazy. We then nailed it down to this itinerary.

End of January to beginning of March: Nepal and the Annapurna circuit

March to June: South Africa

June to September: USA and massive cross country road trip

September to December: South America Peru and Ecuador



Two and half years flew by and before we knew it on January 26, 2014 we were on a one way flight to Nepal fufilling our dreams! We had no idea what advenures, lessons, stressors and growing we had in front of us!