[Joyongjun's Manri Yeo-dam] The Joy of Walking Slowly

Walking Trips Increase After COVID-19

Good Exercise and Hobby Like Strolling

Walking Is the Secret to Staying Healthy

[Asia Economy] The keyword for travel in the COVID-19 era was 'the road.' Looking back, travel trends have changed every 3 to 4 years. There was a time when the convenience of condominiums was the trend, and another when fairy-tale-like exotic pension trips were popular. Later, experiential travel became a boom. Then, as COVID-19 struck the world, 'the road' returned to the center of travel. Even amid COVID-19, travelers finally realized the happiness of walking in nature.

Spain's Camino de Santiago, made famous by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's "The Pilgrimage to Santiago," is a travel destination on the road. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, which stretches 800 km (World Cultural Heritage No. 1), spans France and Spain. It traces the footsteps of ancient pilgrims from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, crossing the Pyrenees, to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Those who walk the Camino de Santiago reflect on themselves, gain strength, and dream of a new life.

South Korea also has many beautiful paths comparable to the Camino de Santiago. The "Jeju Olle Trail," which follows the Jeju coastline with the motto "Nolmyeong Swimyeong Georeumyeong" (meaning "playing, resting, walking"), consists of 27 courses totaling 437 km. That's not all. There is also the Haeparang Trail along the East Coast from Busan in the south to Goseong in the north, as well as the Jirisan Dulle-gil Trail.

When walking on a path, you can meet people, hear the whispers of a single blade of grass, a tree, and all living things. Walking without focusing only on the destination but simply feeling the path and listening to your own breath is a joyful experience. Thus, walking can transform a culture of speed into a culture of slowness and reflection.

French philosopher Pierre Sansot, in his book "The Meaning of Living Slowly," lists "leisurely strolling" as the first of nine attitudes to embrace a slow life. "Slowness, to me, is a gentle, elegant, and considerate way of life," he says.

The joys of walking are countless. Walking is exercise, so it is good for the body. Walking can be done alone or with others. It is not much restricted by place or season. Human history and genetics have proven that the more people walk, the clearer their minds become.

Recently, I started walking "10,000 steps a day." There are more days when it doesn't go as planned. Still, I find comfort in the fact that I don't think there has been a day when I walked less than 5,000 steps.

On holidays, I sometimes walk around Bukhansan with my wife. While walking, we talk about our children, friends, and the life ahead. There seems to be no better time for a couple to talk amid busy daily life. Through conversation, we consider each other and let go of grievances. I feel a renewed happiness from the positive influence walking brings.

According to a walking travel survey conducted last year by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, three out of five citizens expressed willingness to participate in walking trips. 61.6% of all respondents said they would continue walking trips in the post-COVID-19 era. This suggests that public demand for walking will continue to grow.

Modern people live busy lives without a moment to spare. Problems to solve with countless people pile up like mountains. "Strolling" and "walking" are good exercises and hobbies for us living in modern times to regain control of body and mind. While it is good to plan a big walking trip, why not start by walking the nearby trails around your residence? Now, tie your sneakers.