A Journey for my Seoul: JSA

After breakfast at the guesthouse, we had a little time to relax before heading out the JSA tour center. We got there and were directed to our bus. Our tour guide was a very energetic ajumma ("auntie"/older woman).

First stop was Odusan Observatory where we were able to get a good look across the Imjin River and see into North Korea-I was surprised there was no surveillance and we were free to take pictures. We also watched a short clip about North Korea and how lavish Kim Jong-Il had lived and how much suffering the 6 million citizens are undergoing. There were also North Korean "items" like clothing, a school room, shoes, money etc.

Then on to Imjingak to see the Reunification Bridge, Peace Bell, and the old train. That was a quick, short stop.

After Imjingak, we had lunch at a Korean restaurant. We had bulgogi, so it was the first 'grilling' food experience Amanda has had so far. I'm hoping I can take her for "REAL" bbq with my friend Ji this weekend before she leaves. We sat with a pair from England. The guy has been teaching in Korea for 2 1/2 years and the girl was visiting him. It was fun chatting with them.

Finally on to JSA! We first went to Camp Boniface to get 'briefed'. Basically just showing us pictures of the different places we were going to see, show us what buildings are North Korean and what buildings are South Korean, and for us to sign waivers that the United Nations would not be held responsible if anything were to happen to us while we were in the JSA.

We took military buses to the Freedom House which is the building the South Koreans/UN have that faces North Korea. Then we were allowed to take pictures of North Korea/the buildings over the border etc, as long as we did NOT turn around and take ANY pictures facing SOUTH. Also, we were instructed to not point, gesture or make any other form of communication with any North Korean soldiers. There was only one NK soldier out in view, but our American UN escort told us that the NK's were watching us from their buildings and we could just not see them. That was kind of creepy-knowing they were watching us. (Also, we had a dress code to follow and that is so that the NK's cannot take our pictures-if one is ill dressed-and use it as propaganda) Then we were allowed to go into the conference building(MAC) that goes across the border and we were allowed to walk inside and step "over" the border and "into" North Korea (within the building of course), so that was pretty cool. We took a short bus 'tour'/ride around that area a bit more before heading back to Camp Boniface. Then, it was back into Seoul!

We found Isaac's and had toast for dinner!! :) However, I must say, I preferred my Gimhae/Inje "Bacon Best(uh)" Toast better than this one. It was still delicious and I loved it though! And I was happy to share another favorite thing from Korea with Amanda.

Now we are just resting a bit. PSY (Korean singer) is having a free concert/performance with the Hi Seoul Festival that is going on this week. It was only just announced a few days ago. We are thinking of going to that, because he's pretty famous and all-I think it is just one of those "when else will you get a chance to do that?!?!?" kind of experiences.

Either called Freedom Bridge or Reunification Bridge, but South Korean's leave messages here for their Northern loved ones

Well, there it is folks! You are looking into North Korea. Do you see the North Korean soldier? (He's in the window well of the bottom row; 4th window from the left-don't count the windows behind the trees, just the windows you can see)