Forest
Beloved Grand Eagle
Hi, everyone. If you've noticed that I've been around a little bit less recently, it's actually because I'm out of town... I'm actually in Korea!
My girlfriend was adopted from Korea when she was 6 months old and grew up in the US, with American parents, but she likes to visit Korea periodically. This is her third trip, and she offered to bring me along. I don't travel much, but when she invited me, I decided it was too good of a chance to pass up.
Hence, I've been in Korea since the 13th, and I'm having a great time exploring and learning about the culture. Some people asked me to share some photos, so here they are!
Here is the changing of the guard, at Gyeongbokgung palace, where the kings of Korea lived for 700 years:
The guards on watch at the main gate:
And here is a view from inside the palace:
The following is the Joint Security Area, the heart of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), between North and South Korea. The two nations are still technically at war, and the blue buildings are where meetings between the North, the South, and the US occur, under UN supervision. The South Korean soldiers are standing half behind the blue buildings to present a smaller target to the North Koreans should shooting begin and also so that they can gesture discretely to other soldiers.
You are allowed to take photos here. I suspect that the tours are a form of psychological operation against the North. We must look so well fed to the North Koreans, who have so little food, that it must sap morale to some degree. Sad...
And to leave on a cheerier note, I thought I'd leave you with some greetings from Korea, Gangnam style:
You may recognize the pose from about 1:55 into this little video (now at 1.7 Billion views). What can I say? I have a slightly eccentric sense of humor...
My girlfriend was adopted from Korea when she was 6 months old and grew up in the US, with American parents, but she likes to visit Korea periodically. This is her third trip, and she offered to bring me along. I don't travel much, but when she invited me, I decided it was too good of a chance to pass up.
Hence, I've been in Korea since the 13th, and I'm having a great time exploring and learning about the culture. Some people asked me to share some photos, so here they are!
Here is the changing of the guard, at Gyeongbokgung palace, where the kings of Korea lived for 700 years:
The guards on watch at the main gate:
And here is a view from inside the palace:
The following is the Joint Security Area, the heart of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), between North and South Korea. The two nations are still technically at war, and the blue buildings are where meetings between the North, the South, and the US occur, under UN supervision. The South Korean soldiers are standing half behind the blue buildings to present a smaller target to the North Koreans should shooting begin and also so that they can gesture discretely to other soldiers.
You are allowed to take photos here. I suspect that the tours are a form of psychological operation against the North. We must look so well fed to the North Koreans, who have so little food, that it must sap morale to some degree. Sad...
And to leave on a cheerier note, I thought I'd leave you with some greetings from Korea, Gangnam style:
You may recognize the pose from about 1:55 into this little video (now at 1.7 Billion views). What can I say? I have a slightly eccentric sense of humor...
My husband once dated a Korean girl and lived with her family for a year. He LOVES the food and has introduced me to many new things. I hope you're getting some great food there!
