UPDATE (9/23/15) Welp, for whatever reasons all the photos on this post became invisible. Rather than attempt to match them with the still remaining captions, I’m just uploading them again. Sue me.
ROK soldiers keeping us safe during our visit…
These guys are tough hombres…
Nolan talks history with our tour guide…
This ajumma didn’t give two fucks about the NORKs
We were warned not to touch this guy or he’d go all taekwando on your ass…
A North Korean soldier keeping a watchful eye on things (from a safe distance)
Everything put together sooner or later falls apart…
Flowers amongst the mines…
The memory card on the camera started filling up, so I’m dumping the images here for your amusement.
Part of our security detail while visiting the Joint Security Area (JSA). The ROK soldiers are quite impressive and very intimidating.
The only North Korean soldier we saw this time. He would periodically take out his binoculars to check us out. So I returned the favor by snapping a photo of him.
The Army Specialist in charge of keeping our group safe from aggressive actions by the communists (and to make sure none of us defected to the worker’s paradise that is North Korea). Interesting guy, a Russian who moved to the US at 16, and joined the Army.
Nolan posing with an ROK soldier. We were repeatedly warned not touch the soldier as they were under strict orders to respond physically to any contact. He didn’t look like someone I would want to mess with.
Another view of the every present security forces taking care of us during the tour. The ROK soldier stands halfway behind the building to reduce his profile should a NORK decide to take a shot at him.
From the bus window as we departed. Thanks for keeping us safe guys.
Looking into North Korea.
“Propaganda Village” the only North Korean “community” allowed in the DMZ under terms of the armistice. It get’s its name because no one actually lives there. The buildings are shells intended to demonstrate what a prosperous country the DPRK is. Until recently speakers would broadcast messages extolling the virtues of life in the North. On the ROK side of the DMZ is “Freedom Village” a farming community with about 240 residents.
Nolan gets a history lesson from the Major in charge of our security detail.
The bridge of no return, so named because after the armistice was signed POW’s were allowed to decide if they wanted to go to the North or South, but the decision was irrevocable. The last ones to cross this bridge was the crew of the captured USS Pueblo in 1968.
Next it was off for a lunchee of bulgogi at a Korean restuarant. Here’s Nolan sampling one of the side dishes. He’s still finding his way when it comes to Korean food.
Some wildflowers along the road.
A farmer ajumma who laughed when I asked if I could take her picture. Yeah, I’m such a tourist.
A traditional Korean bell at one of the observation posts we visited.
This sculpture outside Tunnel #3 was kind of interesting. Inside the the split globe on opposite sides are North Korea and South Korea. The figures are attempting to put the two Koreas back together in a humpty dumpty kind of way.
Nolan says not so fast….