So I have been writing this list. Most things seem to be basic small things like missing family, friends, small talk with a neighborhood shop owner, things like that.  Of these MIA's I noticed one thing really stuck out to me and that was riding my bike.

Sure you can ride your bike around the streets of Gwangju. Sure you can get from point A to a number of other points. And surely you can enjoy the anxiety and danger of cruising among vehicles speeding down a six or eight lane city street...

Because there are no biker-friendly streets here, most Gwanju-ites are likely to find their bike paths on a side walk, dodging and startling pedestrians. Gwangju really isn't the most enjoyable place to ride your bike. So for all those who miss that empowering "lord of the street" feeling, a good critical mass or enjoy some car free cycling I urge you to try…

1.  Going down by the river

Apparently it's a good place to shoot your baby (Neil Young "Down by the River"), but I subscribe more to the idea of taking a cruise. I thoroughly enjoy taking my bike along the paths here, and while there is still dodging and startling to be had, you can let your frustrations subside in the flowing brook alongside or in the tall grasses and flowers that grow there. The river stretches a good distance too, and you'll take in plenty of different local cultural phenomenon while getting some exercise. You can see ajumas foraging for sook and other wild plants and herbs. You can see ajoshis playing card games under bridges, sometimes in a group of a hundred or more. People fish there, picnic and generally just enjoy their time too. It's really cool.

2. Seeing the edges of town

Once you have travelled the distance of the river path you will have to choose to turn back or venture beyond it. If you head towards Meudeung the path disappears, and you're left with some side streets around a possibly unfamiliar neighborhood. If you continue to wander you might find your way around some rice paddies and eventually to a truly romantic countryside setting complete with sheltered benches under strikingly fragrant white flowers (if done in the spring) that overlook the local farmland and river. If you head away from Meudeung towards Gwansangu (west) on the north side of the river you will encounter a jungle of towering grasses and their numerous bird and insect populations. In the early summer this location is awesome, but you will be so surrounded by the grass you might consider bringing along a machete for confidence. The grass crowds the path, but it's really fun. Then you will have to exit onto a peaceful little river road and come back home or keep going...

These two small suggestions have really given me peace of mind and a way to satisfy my longing for simple travel around a busy city. If you miss riding around like I do, please do yourself a favour and reclaim your love along the river.

Trevor Homeniuk