Who would have thought that my visit to the DMZ, the most militarized border in the world, would begin with a stop at an amusement park…
This weekend I was lucky enough to visit the infamous Demilitarized Zone on the Korean peninsula. This experience was one of the greatest yet oddest things I have ever got to see and be a part of. Literally, I am at a loss for words on how to describe the mind-boggling, and at times, bizarre encounters that unfolded in front of my eyes during the DMZ tour. So I decided the best way explain my experience at the DMZ would be to post a photoblog starting from the beginning of the tour all the way through to the end. After checking out my DMZ pictures, I highly urge you to research more about the DMZ or North Korea, maybe even donate to help North Korean refugees.
The truth of the matter is North Korea is a very weak country who has left its people starving, living in poverty, and unable to comprehend the idea of freedom. Even though the American media often portray North Korea as a serious threat to global security, the reality is that they do not even have enough resources, food, or fuel to develop their country. As a matter of fact, when you look at North Korea from South Korea you can distinctly tell the North Korean mountains from the South, due to the fact that all North Korean mountains are barren without trees since they had to cut down all the trees for fuel. Before I begin another rant about the fear mongering tactics the American media uses to magnify the North Korean “threat,” I’ll quit while I’m ahead and save that for another blog…enjoy the pics!
P.S.—if you want a closer look at the pictures, click on them for full size.
Saturday November 20th 9AM
Tour Bus:
On the bus taking us to yet another bus that is authorized to take us into the site. Our tour guide Cindy, is giving us a brief history of the DMZ.
I was obsessed with these curtains.
Our bus driver.
On the highway in Paju, where armed posts are along the side facing the narrow straight between the two Koreas. This is still a civilian area.
10AM Peace Amusement Park
This is where the rest area/amusement park/restaurant/freedom bridge/shops/ tour bus loading place is. As we waited for the official tour bus to come pick us up and begin our DMZ tour, I walked around and took some pictures. I felt it was a strange atmosphere…
mmm...random meat on a stick.
Nothing like the smell of Teok Pokki in the morning!
Soup for days...
Pearl?!!!!??? (Finding Nemo anyone?)
Peace Land.
Nickleodeon?
Popeye?
Creepy symbolism?
I wish the rides were running!
This is where amusement park rides go to die.
Bumper boats in 40 something degree weather? Yes please!
Reflection.
?
Fun for all.
10:20 AM Dorasan Station
This station which connects North and South Korea, is now only open to tourists, and was formerly used to transport goods between the two Koreas but has been shut down due to political disputes. The South wishes to open it again in the hopes of taking another small step toward unification.
A little history.
History continued.
The future.
Our lovely guide explaining to us where we are.
Outside of Dorasan station.
One way ticket, Pyeongyang is the capital of North Korea.
10:45AM DMZ/North Korea Observation Deck
Of course the weather was crummy and it was exceptionally foggy that day, so our group was not able to really see North Korea clearly, thankfully, I already had the pleasure of viewing the North Korean propaganda village at a different observatory so I didn’t miss out on much.
Outside of the observation deck.
Korean soldier making sure people only take pictures in the designated areas.
Can't take pictures past this line. Just one of the many Photographic restrictions 
.
Observation deck.
11AM the Third Tunnel
Along the DMZ South Korea has discovered four underground tunnels that North Korea secretly built in attempts to infiltrate Seoul. Our tour group was actually able to go underground into this massively deep tunnel and stand directly under the DMZ; 240 feet below ground! Unfortunately, due to photography restrictions I could not take any pictures of it! So instead I took picture around the outside.
Building of the third tunnel, we had to put on hard hats and everything!
The DMZ.
Photo-op for us tourists. Not gonna lie, I didn't think the DMZ would be this tourist-trappy.
Our red tour buses with a chinese tour group. (good thing we had our own private tour guide who spoke english)
FIFA World Cup statue in the bathroom hallway. Random or perfect setting?
Photo-op number 2.
Break time for some cigarettes and a commemorative shot glass.
Wild life fountain, the water around the DMZ is actually very pure and clean since there is no development around the area.
1PM Freedom Bridge/Train/Bicycle Race/END.
For the last leg of our DMZ tour, we stopped at the unification and freedom bridge. Additionally, that day there happened to be a bicycle race.
Unification Bridge.
Freedom bridge.
View standing on freedom bridge.
Barbed wire.
Notes urging for unification.
In war there is no beauty.
Train that got caught in the cross fire during the Korean War.
The conductor actually survived.
DMZ bicycle race.
Always stretch before exercise.
So there you have it! I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to see the DMZ, not many people get a chance to visit this place and learn the true history of it all…
