A Walk in the Woods in The Age of Loneliness

I’m a day’s walk in any direction from civilization.  In South Korea, one of the world’s most densely populated nations, that’s no small feat.  I’ve come to (relatively) rural Gangwando province, about a four hour drive east from Seoul, to escape the capital’s über urbanity.  The vista I’m currently taking in declares that goal a success.  I look out over a seemingly endless stretch of mountains filled with trees just beginning to show autumn colors.  There’s not a trace of humanity in any direction.  In fact, I haven’t seen another person since setting out on the trail the previous morning.  Perhaps that’s why I feel unsettled.