DMZ

While in Seoul I also took a trip to the DMZ - demilitarized zone - that runs along the border between North and South Korea.

Our first port of call was Camp Bonifas for a briefing then we headed to the Joint Security Area that is the border between North and South. There have been several incidents over the years, some with loss of life, that has lead to their current way of doing things - like standing at the corner of the building so that only half their body is exposed for any potential sniper.

These buildings span North and South. That's gravel in the south then the raised concrete is the line.

Being watched.

Some of the UN guys head to work - apparently that is a Kiwi on the right.

When there are visitors (us) they lock the door to the north. They have a routine for unlocking the door that involves 2 soldiers - one bracing himself on the corner (looks like it is dirty) and holding onto the soldier unlocking the door. This is because the North Koreans attempted to grab them one time and provoke an incident.

These are ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers - doing their compulsory military training. The ones that serve in the DMZ are taller, smarter and have to be black belts in a martial art. The sunglasses are standard.

Next we visited one of the tunnels - but sadly this was a no photo zone.

And then to an observation post - you could look through binoculars but any photos had to be taken from behind the line - that was so far back as to be useless - unless you were about 7 feet tall.

I was lucky with the weather - it warmed up to 10-15C during the day - but there were still reminders of the harsh winter - one of the coldest on record.

Then to Freedom Bridge - which is the place for families with relations in the North, and Koreans in general, to leave messages hoping for reunification

Seoul - at last

The forecast was for warmer weather this week so I thought it was time to check out Seoul.

I had to see at least one of the big markets - this was Namdaemun -

and various kimchi

...washing accoutrements
and ginseng.

I was staying near Insadong - an arty/touristy area and could walk to this area - Bukchon Hanok Village which has a lot of older style architecture and none of the high-rise buildings so ubiquitous elsewhere in the city.

...a plus-size model!

High on my agenda was a trip to the Seoul Art Museum, which just happened to have a Warhol Exhibition on - oh happy days.


The museum was next to a large Palace (Deoksugung) complex that also housed two neoclassical buildings - this one below a craft museum, but under reconstruction,

and next to it the National Museum of Contemporary Art that had show by sculptor Kwon Jin Kwu. No photos allowed so I've taken these from the banner
and from a subway billboard.

Back at the Deoksugung Palace it was 'changing of the guard' time

I decided to walk back to Insadong - it was a lovely day with the temp around 15 C

which made these snowy remnants look odd.
I think this area would have a lot more action at night...
but I was too busy watching the Olympic figure skating and Kim Yuna.
Also went to DMZ - will post next time about that.

Con-graduation-s

Cheesy title huh?

Today the students graduated. Saturday morning and we all head back to school for the special occasion. The ceremony is in the gym and starts with a slide slow of themselves undertaking various activities - they really enjoyed this part.

Then the national anthem and school song...
with the music teacher conducting. That's the head teacher at the lectern and standing at the table is the Principal (woman) and the Vice Principal.
There's candy floss,
the whanau
and bouquets that contain lollipops
Apparently they can cost around US$20/NZ$25 - there were a bunch of bouquet sellers at the school gates


Finally they file out
And the teachers go to lunch at a raw fish restaurant to say goodbye to the teachers that are leaving.

And here's a clip of the singing