Rickety Elevators and Random Photos

I just came home a few minutes ago, after spending a few fantastic hours watching the original Pride and Prejudice with a few girlfriends. After concluding the first disc of the movie, I decided to head home a little early, in a halfhearted attempt at making it to bed at a reasonable hour. It’s late, I was feeling a little tired, and, naturally, I didn’t feel like taking the stairs up to my fourth-floor apartment after the short taxi ride home (because taking a taxi can be so physically draining). I opted for the elevator, since one of the two elevators in my building was already waiting for me on the first floor, so I climbed into its open doors, eager to get upstairs and get ready for bed. As the doors began to shut, I was suddenly jolted from my exhausted trance by the sound of the doors screeching and jerking to a hastier-than-usual close. Now, it’s true that I live in one of the older, less impressive apartment buildings in Haeundae and that our elevators seem a bit sketchy in comparison to most, but I’ve never had trouble with them nor have I felt threatened within their four very confined walls. On this particular occasion, however, the doors not only slammed shut ungracefully, but the elevator itself jerked into its usual upward motion with a horrific screeching sound that I imagine might be compared to the screams of a cat being beaten to death. I concluded that this sound was undoubtedly coming from the cables above and below me, holding the metal box in which I was so precariously standing in midair. I didn’t have much time to contemplate this thought, however, because I suddenly became even more aware of the earthquake-like jerkiness of the elevator’s movement, making it difficult for me to stand upright and forcing me to place my hand on the wall for support. Just as I was beginning to feel the urge to panic and start screaming for help, the elevator came to a screeching halt (literally) at the fourth floor, and its doors went squealing open for me to make my hasty exit. Note to self: Just take the darn stairs next time.

Now I’m left alone in my apartment, feeling wide awake from the exhilaration that comes with the thought of being stuck in an elevator by myself—or worse, crashing to the ground in a ball of flame and crushed metal. And I’m not at all dramatic, but that’s entirely beside the point. The point is, I’m awake and I’m bored, so why not take this opportunity to update my blog? The only trouble is, my brain, although currently racing due to my recent scare, is still very much exhausted and incapable of completing a thought. And so I’ve decided instead to post a few pictures of a little day trip I took to a temple in the countryside with a few friends of mine last weekend. Enjoy….