Today we went to the DMZ, or demilitarized zone. It is the most heavily fortified area in the world. There are 4 km between the North and the South. South Korea has capitalized on this area by making it a huge tourist trap. (Here I am showing you North Korea.)
We went on a tour with about 20 other people of all nationalities. It was pretty interesting and we were able to go into "tunnel 3" which is a pretty big tunnel North Korea dug to try and get to Seoul. We walked down a huge incline to see the tunnel and than back up. Our little tour guide said "this will be difficult for every one", looked at me and said, "even you will find it tough". She was right. The way up was a challenge.
North Korea has a fake village that is supposed to make it look like people live there. They have it really bad in NK. People are starving and must
work really hard just to survive. No one is allowed to look into SK because they might see how well the rest of the world has it. There are not any trees on the NK side because they have all been cut down for firewood or to try and make bark soup. It is sad. SK has dreams of reunification with the North. Apparently in the beginning the North had it way better. People had food and there are more natural resources than in the South. Families were split up and still, 60 years latter, have no contact with each other. (left is me a head above the tour guide. This never happens!)
The South even has a train station built ready for train transportation between the North and the South. Of course if this train stain could ever be used but it could have major economic impact on the South, letting the South have access to China and all of Asia and Europe through trains.
work really hard just to survive. No one is allowed to look into SK because they might see how well the rest of the world has it. There are not any trees on the NK side because they have all been cut down for firewood or to try and make bark soup. It is sad. SK has dreams of reunification with the North. Apparently in the beginning the North had it way better. People had food and there are more natural resources than in the South. Families were split up and still, 60 years latter, have no contact with each other. (left is me a head above the tour guide. This never happens!)
The South even has a train station built ready for train transportation between the North and the South. Of course if this train stain could ever be used but it could have major economic impact on the South, letting the South have access to China and all of Asia and Europe through trains. (this picture is smack in the middle of Seoul.)
Tomorrow we pick up Ike forever. It is weird. I have never been with a child as long as our flight lasts and We are going to be responsible for him forever. I hope we are qualified! Our flight doesn't leave till 7:50 pm so we have to hang out till 4:00pm when they pick us up to go get Ike and then we will be off to the airport. I am hoping the flight home is empty like this flight over here was.
Signing out from my last blog in Seoul. Wish us luck!
5 comments:
yay for being a forever family! this was an interesting post about the DMZ. so sad for those living in NK who have no choice :(
another great post, really making us think over here. all i keep thinking about is meeting you at the airport! i'm not worried about you being qualified either, b/c you've always said you are the baby whisperer. :) have a great trip. let us know when you enter the states.
You are your FAMILY be careful coming home. We probably won't see you guys until next week because we will be out of town for the weekend, but we just can't wait to meet the Big Man Ike!
SO happy for your family of 3!! FYI - Matthew LOVES looking at the pics of Ike; he runs over to the computer shouting "Ike, Ike" and then gets a huge smile (I keep your blog up on the screen scrolled to a big pic of Ike). Have a wonderful Gotcha Day and great trip home.
Yvonne
have a good trip home & we'll see you soon!
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