My favorite experience so far since I got here has been my trip to the DMZ Third Tunnel.
I went with a really big group from my class and it was amazing. The bus we took had disco lights and cool curtains ans we listed to a bunch of random Korean songs and American 90s songs on the way there. I think at one point we were all singing along to ‘Breaking Free’ from High School Musical.
So our DMZ/JSA tour with Koridoor today was fantastic. Intimidating at times but truly informative. I really think you’re missing out on learning a little more about what makes contemporary Koreans tick if you don’t go on a DMZ tour.
They took us into the JSA (Joint Security Area), with some help from some US Army soldiers. We got to see into North Korea right across the MDL (Military Demarcation Line) and even saw a North Korean guard darting behind pillars, watching us from a distance. We even (technically) stood in the DPRK for a few minutes.
We saw North Korea’s “Propaganda Village” from a distance, drove past the famous “Bridge of No Return”, visited Dorasan Station (the “last train station in South Korea and the first station toward North Korea”), visited Dora Observatory and went into the Third Infiltration Tunnel.
It was a very surreal experience. I don’t know about anyone else but it certainly helped me appreciated and understand Koreans, Korean attitude/identity and Korean history since the Korean War just that little bit more.
And it put all of those episodes of M*A*S*H into perspective.
