What Makes Hamyang Trips So Special?

As a current intern at this company, perhaps this title sounds a bit confronting. But I, despite working for PLZ and having gained some understanding of the Hamyang trips, still found myself pondering this question. After all, there have been many Hamyang trips in the past with similar itineraries – how does it keep our audience interested and coming back for more?

And what better way to answer this than by going on a Hamyang trip and experiencing it first-handedly?

To be honest, this trip exceeded my expectations. I suppose my only real expectation from this trip was for it to be restful and rewarding – but it was that and more. Delve into my experience as I analyze the three main aspects which I believe make Hamyang trips so special.

The activities we got to do really formed the backbone of the trip. Aligning with our theme of nature, we got to be present in the moment with our surroundings as we went on a barefoot trail on the very first day.

I found it difficult to withstand the pain of the small rocks jabbing me every now and then, but one of the participants told me to relax as I step instead of holding tension, and that really helped make a difference! Instead of resisting, I let go and accepted the discomfort, until it no longer felt discomfortable.

That evening, we all walked to a round cliff beside a river and having missed the sunset, laid down to stare up at the starry night sky that I rarely get to see. Living in cities obscures the natural beauties in the sky, and that night acted as a wonderful reminder of what I had been missing. I’m only regretful that the camera fails to pick up on the starry night.

The next day, we helped mentally disadvantaged individuals farm potatoes. They were incredibly kind and welcoming as we got to know them. Although the task may seem tedious, the experience was not.

Ruffling through the dirt felt calming, and finding the occasional potato gave the adrenaline rush akin to a kid that found an Easter egg. Our speedy harvest then allowed us time to explore the city with remnants of its ancient buildings before lunch.

As it began to rain heavily in the afternoon, we spent the rest of the day participating in a calligraphy and fan design workshop. Our instructor was incredibly patient and sweet as she guided us through the three main ‘fonts’ of creative calligraphy and the meaning they convey. In her mission to help us be original thinkers, we were challenged to draw one another’s portraits without looking, all in one stroke, so that we could let go of our fears of judgement for thinking outside the box.

We all got to work as we each painted fans and wrote our names in ways that reflected our unique selves. I think each of us were proud of how it turned out!

The heavy rain on the last day would not deter us from visiting the over 800 years-old Ginkgo tree. Covered head to toe in single-use raincoats, umbrellas, and conviction, we walked and walked to the tree. I appreciated how other participants relished in the rain, as they took off their shoes to feel the water running beneath their feet. Hugging the tree also made me notice the small cracks, the uneven bark that held up this magnificent tree.

Of course, I could not forget about the food!

From our first meal at the best restaurant in Hamyang for locals, I could tell we would be well fed.

That very evening, we were treated to a delicious potato salad and three different types of jeon. One person said that the potato jeon was the best he had tasted in his life: the rest all had different favorites. Nonetheless, everyone concurred that the makgeolli and soju went well with everything. 😂

When we helped out on the potato farm, our friends treated us generously with jajangmyeon, gimbap, zucchini jeon, and homemade kimchi. It was really a delicious feast that got most of us going for seconds.

Dinner that night didn’t disappoint either: a crispy salad, the creamiest of steamed potatoes (from our earlier harvest), diverse pizzas, and seafood pasta that our host said she learnt from an Italian friend.

Our trip came full circle as our final lunch ended with a local bibimbap buffet, with various ingredients and 3 types of traditional soups to choose from. 

You definitely won’t be disappointed with the food at our Hamyang trip – take this from a fellow foodie herself!

Last but most importantly, the people are what really made this trip a success – hey, it isn’t a social trip for nothing! The friendly faces, interesting conversations, and endless laughter that filled the air were what made the trip memorable.

I’ve come to realize that it takes a unique group to form an energetic, open-minded, and optimistic atmosphere – especially on the last day when we walked for over an hour in heavy rain to reach the Gingko tree. I found it difficult for myself to keep up a smile when my shoes were thoroughly soaked and squelching with every step, however my spirits were lifted after seeing everyone else’s conviction and contentment.

So, to answer this blog’s question: what makes Hamyang trips so special?

I have found that it was really the people’s ready welcome, curiosity, and unconditional kindness that made the seemingly un-fun activities bearable, the joyous activities elevate to the next level, and the food that much more delicious. Each element needed to be present and amalgamated to form the charm that each trip holds.

These Hamyang trips seemed repetitive to me at first, but then I realized that it isn’t a bad thing. Repetition doesn’t have to equate to mundanity or predictability, but instead stability and reliability. Hamyang trips provide a well-organized yet flexible itinerary that suits both planners and intuitive individuals. Hamyang also represents a peaceful, consistent escape from reality – after all, we have trips every month! – that you can rely on when you need it.

I hope my reflections have either made you re-examine your thoughts on Hamyang, persuaded you to go to Hamyang, or strengthened your liking for Hamyang. Whichever’s the case, I encourage you to experience this for yourself (perhaps again) and personally see if my experience aligns with yours. I look forward to reading about them in the comments section or under our Instagram posts!