From Camp Kim, we boarded a charter bus to Camp Bonifas, just south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where we were transferred to a military vehicle. The military bus took us to Balinger Hall where we were briefed on the history of the DMZ by a US military Specialist.
Here's Mom and Dad after signing their "in case of death" waivers at the briefing:
Mom with the commemoration outside of Balinger Hall.
After the briefing, we rode a bus to the Panmunjeon (Joint Security Area). Behind my mom and dad in this picture is a large North Korean building, and in front of that are blue buildings that line the border. The blue buildings are joint security buildings, where once inside, one can cross over the border into the North Korean side of the DMZ.
North Korean guard staring us down. 
Mom and Dad with South Korean (ROK) soldier on the North Korean side of the blue building.
Mom and Dad's feet in the north, mine safe in the south.
After leaving the Joint Security Area, we proceeded to Checkpoint 2, which is an area of the DMZ in which you are surrounded on 3 sides by North Korea. Here's Dad - no matter where he looks (except behind him), it's the north!
Mom and Dad all smiles surrounded by dangerous communist land.
Me and Dad and North Korea.
This is a proganda village situated in the North Korean side of the DMZ. The flag rarely flies as it's so big it weighs nearly 600 pounds. No one lives in the village, but their used to be broadcast anouncements in Korean, singing of the North Korean promised land.
Mom and me - surrounded.
A monument dedicating the enormous tree that was cut down at this very spot to improve visibility. It's girth was the size of that round platform at the bottom. Apparently, nearly every army personal in the area was involved in making sure it was a safe and successful tree chopping.
This is what is know as "The Bridge of No Return." After the armistice was signed, both sides returned POWs at this very spot, leaving the men the option to choose which side to be on, but once they decided, that's where they must stay.
After leaving the DMZ, we went to the 3rd of 4 infiltration tunnels that the south has found from the north. No cameras allowed, and it's quite the workout to get back up from it. The trek down requires a hard hat and involves a lot of ducking of the head. The walls inside the tunnel are painted black with coal, as North Korea tried to pretend like they were coal mining tunnels. All 4 tunnels point directly at Seoul - awesome. They guess there's around 30 in total.
Mom and Dad all smiles surrounded by dangerous communist land.
Me and Dad and North Korea.
This is a proganda village situated in the North Korean side of the DMZ. The flag rarely flies as it's so big it weighs nearly 600 pounds. No one lives in the village, but their used to be broadcast anouncements in Korean, singing of the North Korean promised land.
Mom and me - surrounded.
A monument dedicating the enormous tree that was cut down at this very spot to improve visibility. It's girth was the size of that round platform at the bottom. Apparently, nearly every army personal in the area was involved in making sure it was a safe and successful tree chopping.
This is what is know as "The Bridge of No Return." After the armistice was signed, both sides returned POWs at this very spot, leaving the men the option to choose which side to be on, but once they decided, that's where they must stay.
After leaving the DMZ, we went to the 3rd of 4 infiltration tunnels that the south has found from the north. No cameras allowed, and it's quite the workout to get back up from it. The trek down requires a hard hat and involves a lot of ducking of the head. The walls inside the tunnel are painted black with coal, as North Korea tried to pretend like they were coal mining tunnels. All 4 tunnels point directly at Seoul - awesome. They guess there's around 30 in total.Mom and Dad after our climb out of the tunnel.
Weezer and I working with a team to reunify the Korean peninsula.
After the tunnel, we went to Dora Observatory to get a good look into North Korea. 
Here's Weezer at the binoculars.
Mom with a transport vehicle. 
The memorial hoists flags from each of the countries who have allied with Korea in a multitude of conflicts, the view of the flags also offered an impressive view of Seoul Tower.
Weezer making friends with a statue.
Mom and Dad on the steps of the Korean War Memorial Museum.
Weezer and I working with a team to reunify the Korean peninsula.
After the tunnel, we went to Dora Observatory to get a good look into North Korea. Here's Weezer at the binoculars.There was also a very strict photo policy here. You can only take photos behind this large yellow line, which really doesn't get you anywhere.
Dad and I camouflaged.
Mom and Dad discussing lunch, surround by North Korea.
After a delicious lunch of bulgogi and bibimbap somewhere near Dora Observatory and a very long bus ride back to Camp Kim, we walked to the Korean War Memorial which was right on the way to Itaewon.
Mom with a transport vehicle. 
The memorial hoists flags from each of the countries who have allied with Korea in a multitude of conflicts, the view of the flags also offered an impressive view of Seoul Tower. 
Weezer making friends with a statue.
This is the monument outside the museum. I'm sure it has a meaning, we were too tired to figure out what it was.
Mom and Dad on the steps of the Korean War Memorial Museum.
We then proceeded to walk through Itaewon, made our way to the bus back to Dongbaek, managed up the stairs to my apartment, and packed up their belongings.
On Sunday, we had a pretty uneventful morning, got them to the airport bus just in time for the 9:40 AM bus to Incheon Airport. My mom had her longest Mother's Day yet - 37 hours of Mother's Day time!
It was so fabulous to have my parents here and see them amongst the Asians. I'm pretty sure they had a great time.
At this point, their trip seems like forever ago as I've gotten right back into the swing of things. I'll get you updated with pictures and a post from my camping trip, plus details of my trip to Beijing this weekend!
Stay tuned...
MOLLY-- GREAT PICTURES AND EXCELLENT NARRATION. ONLY ONE QUESTION--- WHERE IS WEEZER'S LIPSTICK!!!!
ReplyDeleteMISS YOU. LOVE, AUNT P