Tension of the DMZ!

Now I didn't know much about the North & South Korean tension until I visited the DMZ.

Hollywood is really exaggerated. Not a surprise. Thought the demilitarized zone was a very thin strip of land separating the two. Also that it was easy to escape. Boy was I wrong! I got this idea from the korean movie Poosang Gae~~
It's basically about a mysterious man that crosses between the South and North Korean border as a courier for hire. He makes it look so easy!

Take a look at this film, BUT educate yourself as well. Don't be a gullible dummy like me! Hehe!



Back on topic. Once we took an hour shuttle bus there, they told us to leave all phones and cameras on the bus. We ended up walking through a long (and I mean looonnnnng) small tunnel into North Korea. YES I WENT TO NORTH KOREA! Seriously, the North Koreans must have been malnourished shorties because I even had to duck my head. This is coming from a person who is 5'3''! By the way, that tunnel is not for the claustrophobic. Sorry, no pictures -__- But I did meet a nice korean man that was escorting us! He allowed us to take one picture outside of the tunnel site.

Next some military men escorted us around the DMZ. There were only certain areas we could take pictures in. It's funny because the guy was smiling the entire time he talked to us, but he had to be on duty in the picture.

Fact: Korean men have to serve in the military for 2 years. Usually the men go into their service after high school. So most of them are in my age range.





Here's the SERIOUS TENSION! One of the American military officials told us that we will go to see the part that separates NK from SK. He strictly told us that if North Korean men approach us to not talk, look them in the eye, or make physical gestures. In my mind, I was so nervous. I was afraid this was gonna happen------>

What we saw of the DMZ itself wasn't that bad... or at least in the room. The guards had to be ready in their Taekwondo stance at all times. Just in case, ya know.

BUT once we got outside, the guides were telling us all about the tension and everything that has went on.  I felt all that tension to the point that it was a little scary! I know at one point I saw one of the North Korean guards looking at us through binoculars from an open window. Thanks to my 18x optical zoom on the camera, I got an extremely good picture of a North Korean guard. Uniform and all! It was cool but kind of creepy!
We traveled all around the DMZ and took pictures into North Korea and Pyongyang.







I have amazing pictures of the capital (including the North K. soldier) because of the zoom capability. However I will not post them on the internet. I don't wanna be abducted or in trouble with the government. Call me paranoid, but I trust my intuition!

Overall, it was an amazing and educational experience! It opened my eyes to the issues of unification, as well as all the citizens that are starving and desire freedom. However they live under their government. So if you could, join me in providing aid to the North Korean citizens.