DMZ

DMZ
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Can you guess where I spent my day.

I have written a bit about it as you scroll down, but at this point, it is tough to write about it. I would rather converse with those who are interested when I get home. What I wrote was just a brief sampling, as I have done my best to provide a small glimpse into what it was like.

Dora Observatory

Dora Observatory
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

On the other side of the building is a huge glass windown, with seating like a small theater, where you can sit and start at North Korea.

Peering into the North

Peering into the North
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Here I am, getting my best shot into North Korea.

Don't worry, the photo was taken from behind the photo line, about 20 feet from the wall.

Dorasan Station

Dorasan Station
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Really nice station, ready to send trains to the North whenever they are ready. Literally 200m from the Southern boundry of the DMZ

Hope is Alive

Hope is Alive
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

The track to Pyeongyang ends literally a few meters from the end of the station. But the hope is there that it will go further someday.

One thing I forgot to mention in my blog was that there is also a I.C.Q center that is being build and ready to go should the border open. ICQ means Immigration, Customs and Quarentine. It is comparable in physical building size to San Yusidro in San Diego and bigger than any of the crossings on the coast in BC.

Didn't See This Coming

Didn't See This Coming
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

This is what many South Korean's have been hoping for and hope will happen, particualrily those who lived during the Korean War days and have seen this situation start and continue.

The East Meets West When the North Meets the South

I am still uncertain as to what it is I should say right about now. This weekend was one in which contrasting worldviews came into contact two separate times in the same day. I feel I am updating today because I simply have to say something, and can't let this slide as just another kick at the can. What I was able to get a glimpse at, is rooted in something far deeper than was revealed or shown to me when I saw it. So what I say may not do any justice to what may actually be happening, but it's worth a shot. The first contact would be at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is essentially the border between North and South Korea, and the last remaining remnant of the Cold War. The second encounter was with Brother Yun, a Chinese house church leader who came to speak (translated into English) at the church I have been attending out here.

Saturday started with a 6:00 a.m. wake-up, as Dan, Noel (Dan's sister) and I made our way to meet our DMZ tour group. None of those details are really important, as we got on our comfortable bus and made our way north. Just as we made our way out of Seoul, we were on the coast. We were able to look out over the ocean and to the islands that were out there. However our view was obstructed by barbed wire fences and guard posts stationed every 400-500m apart as we made our way north. This would a brief introduction to a day in a war zone, as the North and South Korea are still technically at war.

As we made our way up, the instructions started to come, photo restrictions, movement restrictions, where we could go, where we couldn't and the like. Wasn't difficult to follow, but a little unnerving. Out first stop was a monument park. Which was nice, but I was more interested in getting snacks for the day and using the can, so not much happened there. We then made our way through the levels of security to get into the zone where civilians could go. We wouldn't actually be allowed into the DMZ, but the area around it.

We were then taken to a tunnel, one of four that was dug by the north to try and get into the south. It reached into the south 1.2km's until it was discovered. As I mentioned this was one of many which were discovered which were of various sizes and purposes. Some big enough for tanks, others simply for sending spies through. We couldn't take pictures here, so I don't have much. The North claimed that they used in search of coal. The South sent geologists in to look into the validity of this only to realize that the North had spray painted the tunnel with the hope of passing it off as coal, it wasn't hard to see difference in color between the rock and spray paint. This was one of a few "reasons" they had for building the tunnel. The others were all just as poor and rediculas.

Next stop was the Dora Observatory where we were actually able to look over into the North with the help of a few binoculars. Unfortunately it was a foggy day so I wasn't able to see much, but I was able to see a North Korean guard in his post, leaning on a rail, as though it were just another day at work. I was sad for the fellow. It was also difficult to grasp all that may have been going on in that country at the time, ranging from persecution to famine.

The final stop was the Dorasan Train Station. This was the furthest station north on the S. Korean rail network. It was simply built with the hope of joining the North and eventually the rest of the world by land, as essentially S. Korea is politically an island nation. This was paid for all by private South Korean donors. The desire from S. Koreans to be one with the North is huge and unexpected. Although opinions may vary from one person to the next, I have been surprised with how the South is doing all the right steps to promote unification. They simply see the North as family, not a financial burden, not a politically inept nation or even as a something to be feared. They want one Korea, generally. I didn't see this coming, from the lens of my television and firm words from various world leaders on the issue. They have tended to be conflicting to the view that the South has on the North.

Needless to say it was an interesting day, and I haven't even touched Brother Yun. I will save him for next week, or least when I gather a few more thoughts and run my thoughts by others who were there as well.

Hope this blog continues to give you an update on my life over here. I keep saying to myself, I would not be interested in doing this back home, as it would seem tedious, simply because I would much rather see you all in person. But I can't and this is the best I got.

Kamsa Hamnida for letting me share my thoughts and ramblings.

Kev

Yet, Still a Reality to the Situation

Yet, Still a Reality to the Situation
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

As hopful as some S. Koreans are that unification may happen, it doesn't look like this will happen anytime soon.

Kids for the Camera

Kids for the Camera
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

I just finished taking a picture and was looking for another when one kid came up wanting me to take one of him and about 2 seconds later all his friends wanted one two.

Do you think they are able to understand that this wouldn't be possible to do about a mile behind them?

Excuse Me Grandma..........May I?

Slow week, well, slow isn't the right word, but uneventful from the dumb foreigner standpoint, so here is one the I have saved for exactly this time.................

The washrooms out here, at least from a male perspective, are similar to ones back home. Urinals, toilets, sinks, hand dryers, soap etc. But there are two differences, one subtle, the other obvious and quite awkward.

The subtle is this, there is no toilet paper in bathroom stalls. At least this isn't always the case. You have to grab it before you go in. Usually at the entrance of most washrooms there is a roll and you simply take what you predict you will need. If you ever ask for my advice on this, too much beats not enough. This is a simple little issue that can become a major one if your not aware, simply read up before you come, standard practice for being in another country really.

The obvious difference however is, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh.......................not sure what word to use here, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh................well it caused me to walk out of the bathroom, shake my head and attempt to understand how this happens and the Koreans don't even blink. Why don't I put it this way, there should be an asterisk (*) beside the sign on the male bathroom to indicate that although it is for males, grandma may come in and clean at any moment, bringing in the unfamiliar (at least to me.........) female visitor into the men's washroom. This to me is a clear violation of the code, and if not the code, at least the sign on the door. So what happens in this instance you ask (if you don't ask, then I'm sure your scrolling down to find the end!!!!!), well, grandma walks in like she owns the place, cleans the mirror, prepares the sink and counter, then puts her head down, grabs the mop and cleans the rest of the joint. She feels no responsibility to stay within a certain "zone". She is free to go where other women are definantly not permitted, at least that is what I thought was known worldwide. The urinals and toilets. When she gets there, she gets every nook and crany, and if she has to wait for to clean the nook you are using, she will clean the nook beside you and wait to get to where she feels she needs to get to and now.

Needless to say, I am still caught off guard when this happens to me, as it has been a few times, and my inclination (never mind what my conscience says to me) is to simply wait. So I usually do. It is strange.

Anywho, other things you should be aware of.......................

a) it looks like the personalized Christmas DVD will not be happening. We have exhausted all the possible options to make it happen, and it just won't work. Instead, I hope to post it online closer to Christmas, and you can all view it there. Not what I was hoping for, as it would have been better to watch in on your TV and the couch as opposed to a computer screen. Sorry.

b) our friends (Jamie and Jennica Graham) have put together a video. You can view it by clicking on the link to their blog on the left side of my page. It was their most recent update. In their video they have generously given Dan and I a section. Its a great video, in fact we have come to know them and all the others that star in their short production as our close Korean friends. It's worth a look if you got the time.

c) Brother Yun will be speaking at the church I have been attending here next weekend. He has an outstanding story of faithfulness to the Lord. He was a leader of the house church movement in China, and I can't wait to hear him. I set a personal recored, reading his 250 page book in 24 hours. I couldn't put it down, therefore I also recommend. It's called, The Heavenly Man. He speaks in the evening, during the morning I will go to the DMZ (N/S Korean border). It'll be quite a day!

d) the sky is blue

e) a "shout out to Tyler Crawford" I said I would do it (a while ago) and here it is.

f) I am a man

I think I have now covered it all
Kev

Seoul Tower

Seoul Tower
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Nothing extrordinary this week/weekend.

Here I am looking for a Taco stand that I had heard about when I thought I would take this one.

Ended up finding the stand and it was phenominal. Just like I was in Mexico, i'll be back.

PS - The picture is of Seoul Tower

Dongdaemun Gate

Dongdaemun Gate
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Another wondering through the city shot.

Hand-phone

Hand-phone
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Yeah, it was definantly a slow week in pictures. Sorry.

Aparteeu

Aparteeu
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

This is the aparteeu (as it is pronounced in Korean).

One hallway and a few rooms to the side.

Makin' Kimbop

Makin' Kimbop
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

This was a few weeks ago.

I tried to make kimbop and promptly remembered why I usually go out for meals out here; it's cheap & I can't make the food.

Oh Boy, Pepero

So while those of you in the motherland are recognizing Remeberance/Veterans Day, the kids in Korea decided to spend November 11th eating sticks of candy. Let's make this clear, they don't need a special day for a reason to eat candy, the eat it like it may not be around tomorrow.

But what makes this day so special is the date it falls on and the candy this causes the kids to eat. November 11th, is also 11/11. It looks like sticks, so what happens is everybody gives each other sticks of candy. These are the kind that are long, thin and round crackers covered with chocolate. I don't know how else to explain it. I like them.

As a result I got tonnes of candy from the kids today. Most of it is now sitting on the kitchen table, but there was one student in particular who's kind gift ended up providing a bit of a misunderstanding that required the help of a translator. Here it goes.

I was sitting in the staff room eating chicken on a stick/a chicken kebob. When Enya, one of my best students comes through the door with a big box full of Pepero, all for me (Sorry Dan). With one hand swinging to wipe the food off my face and with a mouth full of food, I look over at her as she hands me the box and I say, "O boy". I couldn't believe the size of the box she gave me. I had had a few students give me single sticks and it was nice, but she had a box, so I was a little shocked and said, "O boy!"

The catch is that Enya is a girl, and these Korean children learning English don't yet understand certain English expressions. So her face turned blank as the big smile on her face was gone and she walked out. I tried calling after her but she was out the door. All I heard was her receding voice saying, "you called me a boy", with three other classmates standing at the door agreeing with her and pointing their fingers at me.

So I went into damage control, as I went after her and she wanted nothing to do with me. I followed her around trying to explain what I said, but she was convinced that I called her a boy. Finally a Korean teacher came around the corner and heard the whole thing play out, and she explained to Enya that I was actually amazed at what she had given me, I wasn't implying masculinity.

Needless to say, she laughed, and was fine after that. Class went well, and she was happy as she understood what I was saying.

Whew.

Happy Peppero Day you all, me it be full of as much adventure as mine was!

Kev

From the Begining

Dan and the Apartment
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Dan outside of our apartment as we wait for our Korean friend, in what would be quite a night to remember.

I suppose this is the calm before the storm.

"I'm sorry, I don't know you"

From the Subway to the Park
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

This is what we faced (and looked forward to facing) for a good portion of the night.

It was great!

And Up the Stairs Too

And Up the Stairs Too
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Almost out!

People, People Everywhere

Before coming over here, I knew I would have to get used to people. Seoul is tightly packed, that's no secret, but I had really yet to experience a good "intimate" moment with numerous other Koreans. I have often been in a large mass, but could easily seperate myself if I wanted to, or I could somehow distance myself from the crowds that Koreans tend to obliviously find themselves in when they turn their focus to their cell phones and MP3 players.

This time Dan and I choose to grin and bear it, as we made our way to the annual fireworks festival at Youido Park, along the banks of the Han River, last weekend. The location is comparable to Vancouver's English Bay or Regina's Wascana Park, nice park along the water, in the center of one of the downtown area's (......to scale in respect to city size...........in case you weren't sure, Seoul is the bigger of the three.........).

The fireworks themselves were comparable to the Symphony of Fire/Celebration of Light in Vancouver every summer. To music and all out. Nice to see.

But this wasn't necessarily what we were going for. What seemed like so much fun to Dan and I, was to be shoulder to shoulder with Koreans for a night. We weren't disappointed! I credit this to the fact that most people rode the subway to the fireworks, ourselves included. It was hilarious. We have had a few moments where the trains we have been on have been tight, but never extremely close like we were on this night. This was because we were shoulder to shoulder from the moment we lined up to get on the train, to the 20 minute ride on the train to the 5 minute walk out of the 5 story station. It was so full, the engineer/driver/operator just flat out skipped a stop cause we were to full. I think this is unheard of, as Koreans will generally find a way to get themselves on a train. Like sucking in heavily when the doors are closing and breathing out when they shut. Of course being the foreigners that we are we found this hilarious, the Korean we were with wanted to get out.

The only reprieve we would get was when we got out of the station, as the streets were closed so there was plenty of room to walk when we were off the trains and surprisingly the park had enough space to walk around to enjoy the fireworks. But we would go through all the same motions when we leave, except the crowd started to form about 200m before we got to the station up until we got through the turnstiles. We didn't do much moving, the crowd did it for us, we just went where we were pushed.

It was a great night. More experiences like this to come, or so I hope!

Kev

Can't Talk Into Everybody's Ear

Can't Talk Into Everybody's Ear
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

It was so tight, I could barely get my elbows to my pocket to grab the camera.

Unfortunatly for him, Dan's phone rang time, he would have the same problem, but got there in time.

And Back to the Subway

And Back to the Subway
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

After being shoulder to shoulder with people for about 200m I am finally in the clear on the other side of the turnstile.

Dan is not. We both just went where the crowd of Korean's took us in this crawl back to the subway.

Moved by the Masses

Moved by the Masses
Originally uploaded by kevdu.

Does Dan really, "have it?"