MY PEOPLES ARE HERE!!!!
You know what is amazing? When you have a great connection with people. I haven't seen these 2 for a year and yet within 5 seconds we're back to our usual repartee. I'm teasing Michael about needing coffee and a cigarette (while being able to direct him to both because I knew he'd need them once they got off the plane), hugging my sis and teasing them about how cute they are. The airport pick up went well, I got them back to Dongtan and then we went for Korean BBQ. They loved it.
Airport display.
The board that told me where to pick them up... and apparently LIED, but all was good.
Straight to coffee.
I gots my seester home!
And we got silly
Trying to pose with Michael...
And this is the best we got.
The next day we pretty much just played around Dongtan. I took them to chicken cup lady and Metapolis, and we had food at Mad for Garlic. Then Michael found a cafe near my apt that had an AMAZING looking waffle for dessert - this thing had caramel sauce, banana, oranges, apples, ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce on it. AMAZING.
"It punched a hole in my juice box." Also, Mo and her strawberry milk.
The coffee shop with the AMAZING waffles.
Waiting for the waffle.
DMZ day - we went to Gangnam SUPER early to make sure we would't be late for the tour. Then it turned out to be a private tour in our own van anyway!
I find it funny that I've been here a year and this is the first time I've seen this thing. Yes, I knew it existed, no, I don't hang out in Gangnam much.
So the first stop on any DMZ tour, and the closest you can get without showing your passport is the park that I've written about before - Imjingak Park. Since the DMZ was closed (due to swine flu), we were able to see the Freedom Bridge without paying extra, as well as the Beat 131 Bunker hall. It was interesting talking to the guide about South Korean's hopes to connect a train to the north because then they'll be able to travel anywhere by train instead of having to take a boat or airplane.
The fish were sleeping - there was a sign that said (in Korean) 'The fish are ok, they are sleeping.' LOL
At the end of the freedom bridge (SK side) are these things - mostly wishes for unification, some messages to family still in the North, etc.
The train that was used during the Korean war - it's a SK train, and SK shot it up so that NK couldn't use it.
We were really close to the North.
Train tracks.
Bullet holes in the supports of the bridge that SK did not rebuild.
The freedom bridge where SK POW's were brought home.
The bunker - used as a command post.
Hehe... Mo didn't have to worry.
You can get your picture taken with NK in the background.
ATR in N Korea!
Then we went to Mt. Odu Unification Observatory. N Korea is across the river at this point, so S Korea built this observatory to see what life in the North is actually like. We saw dirt roads, people walking or on bikes, and people working in the rice fields. The tour guide said that after they built the observatory, they built more buildings in the area that could be seen. Seems a little voyeuristic, but I guess it's good to know what is really happening to the north.
If the train were connected, where would a South Korean go on the train?
Our tour guide explaining the history of tensions between the north and the south.
The unification piano - all the strings were replaced by barbed wire.
The most unique piano EVER.
More info on the barbed wire piano.
The map of the North, South, and the river that separates them.
A view - the pollution has been bad pretty much the whole time.
The road that we took to the DMZ
Coffee shop on top of the observatory.
Stamps from N Korea
From there, we went to the War Memorial Museum. The Museum is 3 floors, but we only went thru the first one (Korean war - centric). I'm planning to go back with more time to really soak it in.
The history of the Korean War - who attacked whom, how far they got, when others got involved, etc.
When the north attacked, just how unprepared the South was.
It's always so interesting to see other country's attitudes toward guns. Our guide was a little freaked out by this case. You see, the North made sure that they had the kinds of guns that could use ammo only from them. Whereas, the South had guns that could be used with ammo from the South or the North. Therefore, when the North captured guns from the South, they could use them but when the South captured guns from the North, they could not. She said it was a sign of just how much planning the North put into their invasion. Also, she said guns freak her out - so she asked M&M if they had any. They do... obviously... and it kinda blew her mind.
Being a bomber does not look like fun. SK pilots had to go to Japan to be trained in order to fight in the war.
Apparently Gen MacArthur's invasion of Incheon was thought to be doomed - it succeeded, tho.
You know I'm interested in anything psychological.
The turtle boats from the older history of Korea's wars. I'm going back for a closer look. :)
So after the tour, we were dropped off at City Hall. We took pictures at this palace outside and had lunch at a pork cutlet place. Mo finally got her pork cutlet, which was good. I had spicy pork and veggies over rice which was AMAZING.
So after wandering around the outside of one palace, we decided we were cold so we headed to the National Palace Museum of Korea.
It was pretty cool.
Imperial stamps - all TURTLES!
Maps of the fortress in Suwon, which we also went to, but another day.
Inscriptions on jade.
DRAGON!
Have a chest.
Hair pins... not gonna lie, I'd grow my hair out to wear these.
Hows this for Royal wear?!
More hair pins.
Ornate clock.
I love old cars.
So that was the end of the National Palace Museum of Korea. After this we got coffee and then headed back to Dongtan. I think we got another waffle that day, too.
The next day we went to Suwon to see the fortress there. I'll post those pix in Part 2. We are having a down day today to relax before I have to take them to the airport tomorrow. It'll be a slow start to the day, and I'll be sad to have to say goodbye again. My calves are killing me with all the walking and stairs we've done, but it's also been so good to have them here. My brain is better, even if my heart hurts. Its just so nice to have people around who 'get' me without me having to explain things to them. Oh, and Mo finally got me to admit that I must have allergies cuz after taking 2 of her claratins (on different days) my sinuses and head felt 100% better. Guess I'll be going with J to the chemist's to see what kinds of meds Korea has for that.
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