DMZ.

So, Megan decided that I would have to describe the DMZ trip so here goes...

Self explanatory- a sign

 

These are peace prayers at the Bridge of Freedom.  It is a train station where people come South when North Korea  decides to release someone. 

The new bridge so when Kim Jong Il decides to open up we are ready to ship in help and reunite families. 

Toys the Russians loaned the Koreans

Something the Japanese left behind and the Koreans got a hold of. 

Another Sign...

Monument to reunite Korea

The View to North Korea- you can only take pictures from behind the yellow line because they don't want pictures of the American positions in the DMZ out there for North Korea to scrutinize. 

The best view we could get of North Korea.

the last train station in South Korea- hopefully one day the North will open up and it will see action

Conference Row in the Joint Security Area- these are the buildings where the generals meet to discuss North and South relations.  The blue buildings straddle the North/South and you can go inside and walk over the line into North Korea.  Kinda scary.

The North Korean guard watching our every move. 

When we have tours here the guards look North to deter North Korean shenanigans...  When North Koreans tour the same area their guards face North as well- to keep people from running South.  A Russian guy did once, shooting ensued, people died.  They don't want to make the same mistake. 

Inside the blue building straddling the line. 

Those padlocks on the door are to keep the North Koreans from opening the door and abducting the ROK soldier- they did that once.  Now two guys go in and lock the door before the tours.  This guy is there for our protection and to keep idiots from creating an international incident by opening the door for kicks and giggles.  "He WILL stop you" we were briefed.  Even he was keeping his distance from the door.

The ROK soldiers stand half behind the wall so there is only half of their body exposed to the North Koreans.  Smaller target.

North Korea behind us.  This is an outpost.

This guard shack used to be blocked by a tree.  A crew went out to trim it- North Koreans axed two of our guys to death... Notice the lack of a giant poplar tree.  Operation Paul Bunyan.  Look it up because it is hilarious.

The site of the murder.  Kinda scary.  A little better that we had an escort.
It's right by the Bridge of No Return where our POWs got to walk home.  

So this was our awesome DMZ trip.  It reminds you how touchy the situation here in Korea is.  Finals this week for school and then maybe some more recent posts.  

Camping above the 38th.

Ben had a four-day weekend, so we decided to make the most of it.  We drove to Mount Sorak on Korea's eastern coast.  We got really excited when we saw this:

The border between North and South Korea was roughly drawn across the 38th parallel.  We had fun telling friends that we camped on the beach above the 38th parallel.  Really, the border looks like this:

Originally, we planned to hike and camp at the national park, but they didn't allow dogs in the park or campgrounds, so we headed for the beach to explore.  

I guess North Korean spies try to sneak into South Korea by swimming or boating onto the coasts. We were so close to the border of North Korea that the beach we stayed on was patrolled regularly by South Korean soldiers.  Comforting.

The next morning, we hiked to Naksan Buddhist Temple.  There were some amazing views of the coast.

Look!  Real Korean monks!

And at the top, the largest Buddhist statue in the orient.  She is the goddess of mercy and stands almost 50 feet high!

It was an amazing two days - I would love to go back in the fall to see the autumn leaves.

Local Hiking.

Ben, Lillie and I found a sweet hiking trail about 10 minutes from our house.  It winds along the ridge and offers the most spectacular views!

Toward the beginning of the trail.  The mounds in the foreground are graves.  They're everywhere here.

We took a wrong turn at first and ended up on a paintball course.  Luckily nobody was playing.  :)

Which way would you go?

Isn't it gorgeous? 

Enjoying the view.

Ben in a foxhole.  This was one of the bigger foxholes we saw.

A nice meditation spot.  Aahhhh... 

The first horses we've seen here in Korea.  They (and their riders) did NOT like the Lillie-dog and took off.

I can't wait to see what it looks like once the leaves and flowers come back.

Surgery.

Lillie had to have a minor surgery on Wednesday to remove a growth on her ear.

It is healing nicely.

Poor Lillie!

Daily Adventures.

In my daily activities, I sometimes come across some interesting things.

Our very favorite American-Chinese restaurant.  Cause sometimes you just crave sweet & sour chicken!

Koreans are generally very stylish.  Women wear short skirts, tights/leggings, and HIGH heels everywhere.  Men wear slacks and, occasionally skinny jeans.  Or these.  I call this Manpri McSaggyButt.  Looks especially nice with the white boating shoes.

The C.S.I bus.

Last week, a friend and I explored the Myeongdong area of Seoul.  We shopped at Forever 21 and H&M, then had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.  Yum!  This was the view from CPK.  I love Seoul!

Everyday is an adventure!