For those of you who aren't familiar with the DMZ and what it entails, I can start with the fact that it's the most ironic name for such an area. The Demilitarized Zone is actually the most heavily militarized border in the world. Prior to starting our trip, our group was warned that it would not be a fun day, and to prepare ourselves for a very somber experience.
This map will give you a better understanding of where we traveled throughout the day. As we entered the Southern portion of the DMZ (area between the MDL and where it says "South of MDL") there was one area that stuck out to me in particular. We drove underneath a bridge and between two HUGE stacks of dynamite. These are strategically placed on the route from the DMZ to Seoul in an attempt to slow the North Koreans from ever reaching Seoul if the war should begin again (remember, the war never technically "ended"; there was only a ceasefire agreement signed). At the same level as the dynamite, there were three different levels of barbed wire. Unfortunately, picture taking was really strict on the tour, but just imagine three different kinds and levels of barbed wire and then if you manage to make it through that then there's a good chance the explosion will do you in. While driving, we could see many of the North Korean mountains. Except that they were completely bare- NO trees, a couple of splotches of trees, but it mostly looked like a bald mountain. It was so weird that you could tell which mountain was in the South and which one was in the North.
Visiting Panmunjom was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Again, one that I wish did not have to exist in the first place. While taking the pictures of North Korea, I happened to turn around and look up at the South Korean building. On one level alone, there were 18 huge cameras aimed at North Korea. Did I mention that we had to sign a waiver form that if we happened to die on the tour then no one would be assuming responsibility for us? #comforting
When South Korea built a 323 foot flagpole, North Korea built a 525 foot flagpole. EVERYTHING. is a competition within that area. For the record, I didn't purposefully step into North Korean territory. We were told to stand on one side of the room and then they were like, "do you know which side you're standing on?". ::face turns white and I feel like I have to swallow a golf ball::
Visiting Panmunjom was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Again, one that I wish did not have to exist in the first place. While taking the pictures of North Korea, I happened to turn around and look up at the South Korean building. On one level alone, there were 18 huge cameras aimed at North Korea. Did I mention that we had to sign a waiver form that if we happened to die on the tour then no one would be assuming responsibility for us? #comforting
When South Korea built a 323 foot flagpole, North Korea built a 525 foot flagpole. EVERYTHING. is a competition within that area. For the record, I didn't purposefully step into North Korean territory. We were told to stand on one side of the room and then they were like, "do you know which side you're standing on?". ::face turns white and I feel like I have to swallow a golf ball::