DMZ and Seoul

 The DMZ was really a different experience.  After driving about 45 minutes north from Seoul we arrived at the first DMZ check point.  We were taken to an place with a viewing area, souvenir shops,monuments and an amusement park!  It seemed a bit odd, but no seemed to think it was out of place. From there we went to an area where a North Korean tunnel was found, there are approx 6 to 7 tunnels that were built by the North Koreans to try to reach Seoul.  This one is open to the public along with more statues and a museum dedicated to the DMZ above the tunnel.  The one thing I took home from all this, is no matter how awful the North has been to the South, the South Koreans forgive the north and dream only of a unified Korea.  The South has built a rail line from the DMZ through the north all the way to Russia.  The South also have built a modern city right over the border that you can only look at through binoculars. One can only that one day Korea will be one.  The next check point took as close as one could get to the north and then off to the new train station that has yet to be used. The last stop was the "big" souvenir shop that sold the foods grown and made only in the DMZ plus North Korean wine.  We bought some chocolate covered roasted soybeans, yum, but passed on the wine.  Korean wine of any type tends to be very sweet not at all like the dry wines I enjoy.  The real reason I could never move to Korea!
         From there Rik and did another shop till you drop day, and surprise, all the Louie purses disappeared.  Maybe the Louie police were out.  Anyway still fun looking at everything.  The other highlight of the day was meeting up with Rik's friend, Anne.  She was wonderful and told stories about Rik when he first got to Korea and his adventures with teaching.  It felt good to know Rik had support from wonderful people like Anne and to hear more about him.  As his Mother it was very nice to hear and a perfect way to wind down our trip.

All over Seoul and marathon shopping!

  Today was another beautiful day in Seoul, with perfect October weather.  Rik and toured the south of the city and the upscale neighborhood of Shinsa. It is a very high end area with top American,Japanese and Korean stores. At the end of the block is the premier OB/GYN center, where if you are anybody you deliver there.  I guess the local makes it easy to pick up a nice baby gift.  From there Rik and I traveled to Myeong - Dong to shop with loads of Japanese tourist.  Most the ads were in Japanese, luckily Rik could translate no problem. I am pretty impressed with Rik, he can read Korean pretty well and converse and read in Japanese.  Couldn't do this trip with out him,of course took this trip because of him!  Any way off to the DMZ tomorrow and to get a look at the north, should be exciting.

Flea Mkt and east Seoul

 Happily the sun shine was shinning today and the weather was crisp.  Perfect weather to explore more markets of Seoul.  We started at the Seoul Flea Market and wondered through the stalls of used items,clothes, furs and yes sex toys!! It was a strange combination of stuff and I really wondered how some of the stuff got there, like East German uniforms.  From there Rik and I traveled to Dongdaemun market, a market of toys, clothes and bedding.  The toy market was every child's dream with stores of toys down an entire street. The children there all seemed to be having the time of their lives!! We also saw the East gate of the city and a small Buddhist Temple nestled in a back of a busy street.  From one market to another and it was off to the Hope Market and hand made items from various sellers.  Hard to believe but we had been out over 6 hours and by that time my feet had had enough.  A quick stop for a snack at Dunkin Doughnuts, no less and then back to the room to regroup.  Tomorrow we do the south side of city!