DMZ

Rachael and I went. It was very cool. Now I can "officially" say that I have been in North Korea. Here are the picture to prove it...

This is our extremely early train ride to Seoul. (This picture is mostly posted, so you can see I did try to fix my hair. I cannot be blamed for the soggy mess it turned into later.)

After the train, we got on a USO bus for our tour. On our way to the DMZ, we could see North Korea across the river. I was very excited. The picture does not express that feeling.


Our first stop on the tour was the viewfinders...also known as the Dora Observatory. We had to stand behind a yellow line and hold our cameras in the air to take pictures. This was my best attempt.


Rachael was using the viewfinder to look at the buildings. From this viewpoint we could see factories that are actually run by South Koreans. The workers cross the border every day. I think--the guide's English was a little difficult to understand.


There was a gift shop there, so we bought "DMZ chocolate." It was gross, but we were unaware when we took the picture. Maybe Rachael knew. She does not look as excited as me.




Next, we went to the 3rd Tunnel. It is one of four (discovered) tunnels into South Korea. We had to walk bent over for a very long time inside the tunnel. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us take pictures inside.


And here it is...the Joint Security Area (JSA). The blue UN buildings are directly on the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). I learned so many acronyms! We went into the building on the left.


Mr. North Korean soldier was watching us with his binoculars. Apparently there is another one inside with a powerful camera taking our picture also. We could not see him though.


The South Korean soldiers are in a Taekwondo ready stance all day. They stand halfway behind the building in case North Korea decides to fire.


We are in North Korea! The door behind the soldier--South Korean, don't worry--leads to North Korea. I am not trying to stand like him. I just had my hands in my pockets because he scared me. Rachael was not scared; she is standing so close!


This is a North Korean propaganda village. No one actually lives there. They just make it look like a populated community. It also has a communication jamming device (just like the island on LOST!).


The Bridge of No Return--very sad. It was a very educational trip. Go if you ever get the chance.