The DMZ

Hey there once again. Okay, so this week was fantastically interesting and plays into a topic we briefly covered in class a few weeks ago. I'm talking about The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. Jeeeeeeeeeez what a crazy experience. I want to say it was exciting but then have to stop myself and think of all the lives and unnecessary violence this whole situation has cost. At the very least it was interesting (and I don't mean the kind of "interesting" people tend to use these days when what they really mean is it sucked). This is the last remanence of any type of Cold War situation going on in our world, like a sort of time capsule. Theres so much to say I can't really put it all into words. How bout I just run down the process of the whole ordeal and show ya some pics?

You start off by hopping on a bus and heading north of Seoul, roughly 35 miles (can you believe Seoul is only 35 miles from the North Korean border?!) Then you start heading through all of the various check points of which there are several. You do all sorts of activities like checking out an observatory that over looks North Korea and one of it's propaganda villages (where no one actually lives), going down in some underground tunnels the North Koreans had dug, and all sorts of other stuff. All was very interesting, but it wasn't until we went to the Joint Security Area (JSA) where you REALLY felt the tension. We had to unload our bus and hop on another one, this time being escorted by a US Army soldier who gave us all sorts of information and updates to the situation. They led us to a conference room where we were debriefed and told what and what not to do. For instance, no pointing, no face making, no nothing. Also we had a dress code which consisted of a collard shirt, long trousers and, no rubbah slippahs (sorry brahdahs). I then proceeded to sign my life away, acknowledging my understanding that I could be killed at any moment and that if so, they're not responsible.. no sweat right?! After that we headed for the JSA, an area where North Korean soldiers literally stand next to South Korean soldiers, only separated by a think concrete boundary. Obviously stepping over the boundary or anything of the sort is a big NO NO, for both sides. Wow, what a crazy experience. Oh, did I mention while standing outside at the JSA (where we were only allowed to do so for roughly 7 minutes) that supposedly North Korean snipers had their sites on us and were constantly taking photographs? So thats what were told anyways... it's a bit hard to decipher at times what really is true, and what is propaganda unleashed on us, just like North Koreans have their own propaganda, only our's is a bit less harsh.

Okay wheeew, lot of talking. Here's some pics, only they can do any sort of justice to this extraordinary experience. I'll also throw in a pic from when I was on the North Korean side. Yes, I've been to both North and South Korea, but that's another story...

going down in the tunnels 

dmz sign

North Korean guard watching us

Our US Army escort along with South Korean soldiers standing guard.

Christmas card for the relatives?? Probably not...

This is me standing on the North Korean side from when I wen their last summer.

Notice the North Korean guards... they're protecting me from..... the south I guess?????

-TDtravels-

Kimchibilly

This I certainly wasn't expecting. You ever heard of "Rockabilly" music? Cool cats like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Bill Haley? Well Rock and Roll artist of the 50s and early 60s make up a genera known as Rockabilly and though their hey day was over half a century ago, Rockabilly is alive and well in Korea. The only difference is... all the artist are Korean, and all the lyrics Korean! Hence the name "Kimchibily" (that really is what they call it, I didn't make it up). I must say, they pulled it off too. This show was kickin' and with fans varying from locals to foreigners. Turns out I happened upon a big Kimchibilly event as well, so all the big bands of the scene were here to perform. The only stinger was the 20,000 won ($18) cover charge at the door. However, with some liquid wit, and begging, I was able to talk the doorman out of charging me ;) so give it a shot. Worst comes to worst, you'll pay the cover and get a kick ass show! Check out the "Rock Tigers" on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/therocktigers They have some killer jams.

Again, this is yet another experience I highly recommend if you ever find yourself stomping around Seoul.

-TDtravels

Take Me Out To The Korean Ball Game!

Hey there. This week I got to experience first hand, a Korean baseball game. These guys go NUTS for baseball! In fact thats an understatement. I had always heard how in Japan baseball is all the rage, but little little did I know the extreme popularity of the sport over here. Not a huge surprise though, seeing how a lot of American culture bleeds into modern South Korean culture. Actually, that right there spot lights whats so cool about this... the culture mixing! "Hot dog please?"no no no no no... not happenin' at a Korean ball game. How about dried squid, and various fried snacks on long tooth-pick like sticks. Now you know you're at a Korean baseball game. Also, when your team is up to bat, you best stand up and get ready. It's time to dance and sing! They even have the cheerleaders and mascot running through the aisles charging up your already pumped state of mind.

I tell ya.. you'll be tired after one of these games. With all that dancing, hooping, and hollering, you'll work up a sweat. Drink up too, unlike at an America ballgame where they'll charge a fortune for some tiny pathetic cup of beer, these guys keep the prices down and the cups filled. 20oz of beer might cost you a buck fifty. Oh and did I mention you can grab a great seat for only 9 bucks?! Seriously MLB.. STOP RIPPING US OFF! That goes for all you Professional sports organizations back home. Take it from the Koreans, make your money but don't drive us broke in the process. 

Anyways... if you find yourself in Seoul and it's during baseball season, definitely a worthy adventure.

Funny Engrish

Hey there guys! For this week I wanted to point out some funny usage of English I've spotted around the suave city of Seoul. This is South Korea, so obviously everyone's first language is NOT going to be  English, hence mistakes are to be made. Nonetheless, some awkward wording can't help but steal a quick laugh from those of us whose native language is English. I'm not talking about misspellings or anything of the sort, just wording, that at first glance might make your eyebrows rise and your mind ponder. (Hey, at least these dudes know other languages at all! Unlike us sorry monolingual Americans *sigh*)

Powerful Romantic... okay. Romantic Powerful? You lost me.

Sounds like the tagline for a Bruce Willis Romantic Comedy

Britney Spears lyric and Education... can you say oxymoron?

Sounds good to me

Hey at least they tried