So, here I am in Korea. It has been a couple of days and I could describe the shopping that we have done with my mother, but that wouldn't interest too many people. Though I will say that Koreans sell everything. I had forgetten just how many shops and carts are set up along the streets. Even in districts that aren't known as shopping areas, you will find people selling pants or luggage or food (especially flattened, dried squids) and just about everything else. I am amazed at how they all manage to stay in business.

But, today was what I believe will be the highlight of our trip here. We got to go to the DMZ or DeMilitarized Zone. This is something of an ironic name because while the actual 4 km wide, 250 km long zone is empty of military, the border on both sides is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. All South Korean men have to join the army at 18 or 19 for a year. Many of them are posted along this border. Additionally, many of the new US Army recruits are sent to Korea for a year, again along the border. And North Korea as a military state has a large Army, most of which is deployed at the edge of this zone as well.

We toured the small UN area know as Pan-mun-jom or the Joint Security Area. Both North and South have some of their own buildings, as well as UN buildings that facilitate meetings between the two. We got the chance to go into one and were allowed to walk to the North Korean side of the building.
I have been in North Korea. How many people can say that!!!

It was a very interesting tour. We felt very privledged to be able to see where our soldiers were putting themselves in danger to protect the Korean people. I have to say that I have a deep respect for the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting others. Too often we take for granted all the hard work that goes into keeping us safe.