Wow- I’m a little behind. I’ve been running non stop since my last post. I just remembered that I’m keeping this blog and should probably update it. =)
So about a month ago Claire, Reuel, and I took a tour to the DMZ (North and South Korean border). It was pretty intense needless to say. We saw the third tunnel, propaganda city, and the coolest part was the JSA (joint security area). Before going to the JSA we were briefed by US soldiers (who served as our guides and guards) and signed a waiver that said "The visit to the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom will entail entry into a hostile area and possibility of injury or death as a direct result of enemy action." =)
At the JSA we were able to cross into N.Korea and go in the conference rooms where meetings between the 2 countries are held. The whole time North Korean soldiers were taking our pictures and looking through their binoculars.
We also were taken to a viewpoint to see the bridge of no return. It was used at the end of the Korean war where prisoners of war were brought and they had to decide where they wanted to go to live North or South and there was no turning back.
We also got to see the propaganda city. This is a fake city with fake buildings that just was built to try to make the world think North Korea is a thriving country. No one actually lives there.
It was a great tour overall and it kinda made it hit home a little that I’ve been living so close to such a crazy country full of injustice.
I have a feeling that in the next 20 years there will be no DMZ and it will be really cool to have been there.
We also took a weekend trip to Anmyeondo. It’s an island off the west coast. Six of the girls from my neighborhood took a total of 4 busses to get there. It was a long journey but worth it. Once we arrived we found a pension. dropped our bags and headed to the beach.
The beach was great. We spent the whole afternoon doing nothing. My perfect Saturday.
This also turned out to be the cheapest weekend ever.
We put 6 girls in a 4 person room to get the price down (we only paid 13,000 each). We were staying by the beach so the restaurants were all really expensive. But fear not, there is always a convenience store and ramen.
After our gourmet dinner of ramen we hung out on the beach where we made friends with some Koreans. We played with fireworks and sang songs. Simple and perfect.
Sunday we headed home but first we we to the forest on the island and did some very light hiking and more just hanging out.
The last weekend of the month all 8 of the girls from the neighborhood went to Busan. We took the KTX (fast train) and we got there in about 3 hours. We dropped our bags at the hostel and head straight to.... you guessed it- the BEACH. Haeundae Beach (also where we were staying) is one of the most popular beaches in Korea and I’ve only seen pictures of it PACKED, but we lucked out. They forecasted it to monsoon all weekend, but it really didn’t do much, so the beach was not very busy.
Korea is not known for big waves, but Haeundae has a few and they actually were having a surfing competition that weekend.
Saturday night we went out for Aoife's birthday. We ended up at a Nori Bong (Singing room). Let me explain.
We rented this small room with a table and booth. In this room there is a TV and 3 mics. Also a HUGE library of songs. So basically it’s a private room to do karaoke with only your own friends. We sang our little hearts out. It was great. Somewhere between Katy Perry, Backstreet boys, and Kesha we all lost our voices. This was my first Nori Bong and I hope it’s not my last.
Sunday we went to- YEP the beach! =) I just love it. We played in the waves laid out and just lived it up. After lunch the girls all headed back to Seoul. I stayed on Monday and Tuesday on my own. I had 2 vacation days burning a hole in my pocket so I figured I should use them.
I need to practice being cheap from when I travel in SE Asia in September, so I decided I would stay at a jimjabong (korean spa). Basically you can shower and sleep there for 9,000 (about 8$) can’t beat that. Granted you sleep on the floor- but hey, thats korea for you.
Monday I took a really long walk. This seems to happen when I travel on my own. It was really nice though. I ended up at the largest department store in the world. My budget did not allow me to get anything from Tiffany or Prada, but I did get a journal from the book store.
Also I went to the aquarium for a bit.
Tuesday was a beach day once again. There was hardly anyone there. I could hear nothing but the waves. I did a lot of reading and relaxing before catching the train back to Seoul.
I almost forgot- Wednesday was the 4th of July! What great holiday, but when you're not in the States it could end up being depressing, so we went to the cowboy bar, so it felt just like home for me. A friend of mine even picked up some Landshark for me from the base (I had not had one in 10 months). It’s my favorite florida beer and as soon as I tasted it I felt like I really was home. After a little two stepping and singing the National Anthem at midnight we headed home on the last bus.
To keep up the patriotic feelings we went to a baseball game on Saturday. It was the biggest game of the season, LG vs Doosan. Cherish and I got there 3 hours before the game to wait in line for tickets. Thankfully there were still some for sale.
It was HOT at the game. We were all melting. But the game was so good, like it went to 12 innings and my team DOOOSAAANNN won! It was nearly 5 hours long. Crazy but fun.
Well thats the end of my novel for today.
I have less than 8 weeks left now- crazy.
