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Published: October 28th 2006
Rob at the airport
Hello South Korea!That's right people, I am in Seoul, and I am super-tired. 27 hours of travel time will do that to you; especially when you get 3 hours of sleep before you leave. Oh well, what are ya gonna do? That's 3 more hours than Rob, who didn't bother with sleep. We didn't actually get here until 9:00 pm on Tuesday (Seoul time). Thankfully, Rob's friend Justin (who's teaching english here) gave us some great directions to his place and hooked us up in a cheap hotel. We're staying in one of those sex hotels that are so popular with the businessmen around here. The place is nice, and sometimes we get to hear a show!
Despite our lack of sleep, Rob and I got a move on the next day with Justin's friend Chris (who's vacationing here) and checked out some pretty cool places in and around Seoul. First stop was Jongmyo, the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty (1392 - 1910). According to my brochure, it's, "where the spirit tablets of its kings and queens are enshrined and memorial rites are observed in respect of time-old confucian tradition." The Japanese burned most of it down in the late
1500's, so most of what you see is reconstructed, but it's a beautiful place.
On Thursday we went to Namhansunseong - a walled fortress just outside of the city. If you're a hiker and in Seoul, please go here! You may not finish it in one day though - the whole place is about 23km. You get a great view of Seoul (the place is huge), and it's really quite quiet.
Rob, Chris, and I made it to the War Memorial of Korea on Friday, despite serious issues with the subway. Just put all the stops on the map, that's all I ask! That was great; really informative and it gave me some insight on the Korean War, which was perfect because we went to the demilitarized zone (DMC) today.
The DMC was an interesting trip. You get a strong impression of just how intense the situation is between North and South Korea. Your passport is checked twice before you even enter the DMZ, a brief slide show is shown showing the history of the region (World War III almost started here back in the 70's - google it for the details), you sign a declaration incase
Shrines at Jongmyo
There was this ring bolted to the ground. I thought it looked cool, so here you go... the shit hits the fan and and North Korea attacks, and you are to make no gestures of any kind to the soldiers on the north side, for fear of provocation. What's more,
you actually get to enter North Korea! That's right bitches, I was there! I rule!
The one thing that kinda ruined the DMZ for me is that for something so intense, it's really become a tourist trap. Basically, they say, 'Let me see your passport... ok, sign this declaration incase of an attack and make no motions or gestures to the north korean soldiers. ...Oh, and don't forget to check out our gift shop!' A situation that really is serious suddenly seems to be a joke, and that shouldn't be the case, especially with North Korea testing nukes.
Before I go, a few notes about Seoul and Korea (they don't call it South Korea here). First off, the city is really westernized. You know you're in Asia, but you feel like your in North America, at least until you see the oodles of street vendors trying to sell you shit. Also, the people are amaziningly helpful! I look at my subway map like a monkey
trying to do a math problem for about a minute, and someone is there to help. The food is great (not too spicy) and crime is virtually unheard of here too, so nothing to worry about. If anyone is nervous about coming here, let me put those worries to rest!
Anyway people, it's been a blast! Rob and I are going to the eastern side of Korea to check out the mountains over there. Can't remember the name so I'll fill you in later. Hope you all enjoy the photos - I probably won't get this many on my future blogs, but I had some time today, so what the hell! Peace out!
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Jazmine
non-member comment
hi
Tom, pictures are beautiful. how are you doing? did you get the info on Japan - I had Brandon send it to you?