DMZ

Hey Everyone!
Well yesterday was a great educational experience for me. I went to the DMZ and learned a lot about the problems between North and South Korea. Being there and feeling the tension between the both sides is very hard to put in words, it's one of those things you just have to be there. It was a day long tour that started at 7am and lasted until 2pm. We started out first by going to the JSA and getting a briefing by one the american soldiers on the history of the DMZ and the different things we were going to see. We were then taken to one of the viewing points where they have a soldier observation north korean 24/7. At this spot we were surrounded by North Korea on 3 sides. The view was amazing, we were able to see the town of North Korea just north of south Korea. Next we were taken to the conference building where the leaders of both sides as well as other leaders from other nations meet. This was the best part of the tour. This building is half in South Korea and half in North Korea. So technically I got the change to be in North Korea. This was also the most tense part of the tour because just outside this building there were soldiers standing facing North Korea onto other North Korean soldiers. You could actually see the North Korean soldiers facing us, watching our every move. For this reason we had Soldiers all around us to protect us incase something happened. We were only allowed to walk and stand between these soldiers. I saw the actual line that separates the 2 countries. You'd be amazed to find out that the only thing separating them is a 2 or 3 inch high piece of concrete, no fence or anything, you can litterally just step over and be in North Korea. Truly an amazing experience. Next we went to an observatory point where they have those coin telescopes. For 500 won (50 cents) you get an amazing view of North Korea. We were only allowed taking pictures from a certain spot which wasn't that good cause you could hardly see anything. None the less the view you got from the telescopes was worth it. The last thing we did was go to one of the tunnels that the North Koreans built to try to invade south korea. There are 4 tunnels in total, we saw the third one. We went down about 400 meters. This to was great to see, you could actually see the marks from the exposives they used to make the tunnel. Of course we we're allowed to take pictures. One of the coolest parts of this tour was that I bought a book that tells you about the whole history of the DMZ not knowing till after I bought it that the author was in our tour group!! On the way home the tour guide announced that he was on out bus. So he got up and said a few things. He was actually stationned for the JSA in 1976. Needless to say that capped off the tour and I got him to sign my book. I have posted some pictures, one of them is me standing in the conference room beside the soldier that guards the door leading to North Korea. It was the strangest feeling standing beside him, you weren't allowed to stand behind or infront of him. There is also a picture of the view of North Korea, a picture of the guards facing north korea and one of the bridge of no return...this is were the people and prisonners from both sides crossed into the other country never to be allowed to return. I hope you enjoy!