The DMZ

One of the bigger "attractions" (this is hardly the right word to describe the border between N. and S. Korea) here in Seoul is the DMZ, so with the parents in town, it had to be done.We are in one of the buildings that split the border in the Panmunjeon area of the DMZ, called the Joint Security Area (JSA). The speakers on the table area actually the border between the North and South Korea
Mom is signing her life away before we make our way through the JSA, although the others on the tour and myself had to do the same.
A South Korean soldier stands guard on the South Korean side. All the Korean soldiers have huge aviator glasses so as to not give away their eye movements. This fellow is also standing with his body half exposed and half behind the building so that he provides a smaller target. This being said, I think our group of about 40 or so tote carrying tourists provide a nice alternative for the North if they ever wanted to do anything.

You will also notice a concrete line about half way through the blue building. This is the actual border between the North and the South.
Our tour guide is on the bottom. He is an American soldier. He was great, particularly when he had to "give it" to the French tourists who couldn't resist pointing when they were clearly told not too.

The building in the background is the North's building. I can't remember what it was for, but every time the South builds something, the North feels the need to make theirs bigger. This is the case with a few things in the DMZ area.
Dad and I are actually standing in North Korean territory for this picture. However, I have extremely good reason to believe it isn't as fun as we may make it look. It was strange to actually see this area again with my own eyes. It is another example of a reality I have seen over here that goes beyond a headline and a "that only happens to those people" type of attitude.