DMZ Tour

I really have not much "smart say" about the root of the conflict that is still separating North and South Korea, but one thing sure is it seems to rake in money for both countries for as long as the so-called tension between them exists.

That’s because aside from the temples, hanoks, and spas, travelers and foreigners are equally curious to see the famous DMZ or Demilitarized Zone— that strip of land that separates King JongIl and Lee Myung Bak’s minions.

And while trips to this infamous place would usually ask for passports or foreign IDs, it doesn’t seem to be as strict and scary to go to (ok, so maybe I am assuming here). Well, because it looks like travel groups and agencies have since offered packaged adventure trips and would even encourage taking pictures with soldiers in the area. I therefore conclude that even if Korean men generally despise such waste of time that they call “military service”, it can always be their little chance to feel some star-like, showbiz fame. Haha.

I got the chance to go on a DMZ tour with a travel group here in South Korea, and it even came at a time when the North and South Korean relations recently heated up with the sinking of the South Korean Cheonan ship. Lee Myung Bak put the blame on North Korea, which Kim Jong Il of course was quick to rebound and deny such allegation at. So while the mother of a friend who was with me on the trip had been giving her daughter worried calls about the situation, I actually played that little game of seeing cannon balls on mid-air inside my brain. Hell yeah! Haha.

Travel Group Itinerary:

1.) Goseokjong and its hidden piece of nature. I know how more refreshing it would have been if I actually plunged in the waters, but I guess taking pictures would suffice for now.

2.) Second Infiltration Tunnel. The tunnel was said to be made by North Korean people to invade their Southern counterparts. This is pretty much the easiest way to sneak through North Korea, except that the tunnel's cut somewhere in the middle by a sign that says no one can pass through anymore.

Cameras are not allowed inside, too bad. Not that there were anything overly spectacular. The cave was pretty normal with those low-lying stalactites and dripping waters. The cave was a little chilly inside and if you’re tall, chances are you’d have to bend your body a little to walk through.

3.) Cheorwon Peace Observatory. It provides a view of the Iron Triangle Battlefield, which was primarily the headquarters of the North Korean army. It was pretty interesting to see a Mama Mary statue on our little hike to where the observatory is.

    

For some weird reasons, I wanted to catch on any barbed wire onto the far mountains, for I have always made myself believe that just an inch after that separating wire is North Korea. And boy, who doesn't want to get a glimpse of it?

4.) Woljeongri Station- it was the last train stop before reaching the DMZ. This is the same spot where the fiercest battle was held during the Korean war. The burnt train looked like a rhinoceros to me. Now that's real ancient history, teehee.

5.) The Labor Party Building- a three-story building used as the house of the Labor Party until the Korean War. Many people who were here during the anticommunist movement were later tortured and killed. Behind the building lies remains of people. Bullets and iron chains can still be found even to this day.

The more enjoyable part the two-day trip came in the evening when the travel group had bonfire and toasted marshmallows to make those yummy s'mores! I won't ever forget that certain Maegan who was kind enough to make s'mores for me and my friend. She had a very nice pair of gold flat sandals, too.

 

I had the chance to experience the home-stay type of accommodation for the night. The family who welcomed us to their house had a cute kid named Tae-rin. I will never get enough of adorable kids who really know how to entertain their guests. So what if he cannot speak English, eh? He was my personal bundle of joy in the whole trip.
 

Since I am very tired now and I can't go on with a "trying-to-be" witty take on the North-South Korea issue, I will just take this post as a landmark trip to one of the most controversial places on earth, ever. Teehee.

One thing though, it really makes me sigh and wonder how one country where its people think of themselves as patriotic and nationalistic cannot even unite with one's kin.