de-militarized zone

Last night I spend a night at a hostel in Seoul. It was my first hostel experience and I must say I was really lucky. We had to stay there because the meeting time for the DMZ tour was 7am so there was no way that we were going to bus and what not at 4am to get there on time.

The hostel was amazing. It was clean and soo cute! The person that was helping us was a guy who lived in Ottawa and Toronto. It was pretty awesome! Here are some pictures of it...

The common area. The gang who I went to the DMZ with! all people from Gyoha. Missing is me and Kim!

This made me miss home a little more... Herb and Spice reusable bags and PC ones too!

Haha those were the only pictures that I got of the hostel we stayed in... but our room had 4 bunk beds. We all slept in the same room...it was a great time! Waking up at 5:45am was not so great though...

So the DMZ tour started at the JSA centre. We went to several spots on this tour...

behind that door is NORTH KOREA!!!

That grey building is North Korea. These guards are protecting us! :)

North Korean Soldiers scoping us out...

The freedom bridge. Propaganda city: the building are empty and they play a recording trying to brainwash people in believing that North Korea is a good place. I wish we were able to hear some of it but it wasnt on that day. It is a complete fake city.

The signs and white markers that show where North and South Korea are divided.

ribbons hanging on a fence... behind that fence is North Korea. Family and friends come here on special holidays to leave their blessings and wishes on the fences hoping that their message will get to their loved ones in the north.

the last train from North Korea to Seoul. Me and a cute little solider!

We even got to walk through the third tunnel found. This tunnel was so intense...it was really cool! But no camera's aloud. At the end of the tunnel was a huge steel door with a little window that you could peak through.

It was definitely a great experience. And I'm glad I got to go so soon. It was definitely a little intimidating and especially when the North Korean's had just sunk a South Korean ship the day before. We were also told not to make any eye contact or gestures to any of the soldiers. Even the ones on the South Korean side because they were on duty and they didnt want us to get out of concentration. BUT i smiled at one of them and i swear he twitched back...i dont know if it was a good twitch or a "im going to kill you" twitch...but his lip definitely moved...hahaha maybe he just had an itch. I pretty much thought i was going to die so i avoided all contact what so ever afterwards. It was a great day trip! But now im left with this crazy cough... and it kind of sucks. so i'll be drinking lots of water and throat soothing candies to get through the day.