This past week has been another busy adventure but the good news is we are all checked in to Yongson Army Garrison. It doesn't take as long with the Navy but we are done. Yeah!
Rachel kept herself busy with a trip to Osan to get her SOFA stamp for her passport with Blanca and her son Carlos. She was just happy to get off the base and out of the house. This week she also met a lot of new people also new to the area courtesy of a Korean Food class. Next week is Transportation 101 and a lot of the same people are attending. The food in Korea is great and Bulgogi is one of our favorites. She also ventured out to Itaewon and Emart (similiar to Target/Walmart). Juan is also keeping busy but with work, he has a huge exercise this week so he will be working long hours. We both equate it to being back on a ship and standing duty but with home visiting privileges. To us this is a blessing! Rachel also had her weekly OB appt with Dr. Kim, who said everything is good and the baby is the perfect size. About 2 weeks to go and we have a new addition.
This past Saturday, Juan had the day off so we went to the DMZ courtesy of the USO. It was a great trip and very eye-opening as to how close we really are to North Korea, about 60 kilometers. We traveled up North to visit the base and learn about the history of the Korean War which isn't over but rather a cease fire for over 54 years. We did get to step into North Korea (inside a ROK army buildings where there is a line of demarcation) and it is sad to see the North Korean soldiers guarding their border and to be so close to freedom yet so far away. It really makes you think how many times we take our freedom for granted and how blessed we truly are. The DMZ is no laughing matter and the soldiers there do not mess around, one guy on our tour tried to step behind a ROK guard and got blocked. We had never seen a soldier move so quickly, they stand in a modified Taekondo stance and can take a man down in a matter of seconds. The taking of photos is also strictly enforced along with dress code and any unauthorized movements and gestures.
Following our trip to the base, we went to Dora point where you can see North Korea in the distance along with the border markers, miles of fence, and the beauty of a place untouched by human hands. There are many animals in the area and some endangered species, such as the Japanese Crane. While on the trip we learned about the miles of landmines that are still out in these open fields and the history of several events when people tried to defect. Our day ended with a tour of Tunnel 3 which was found in the late 1970s. There are a total of 4 tunnels that have been found that were built by the North Koreans with a future plan to invade the South. Now they are blocked and one of them is a tourist attraction. We were allowed to go about 800 meters into the tunnel courtesy of a steep incline, easy to decend but harder to climb up. Rachel felt like a turtle ascending the grade but when it was also said and done, it was great exercise. Overall the trip to the DMZ was a good experience and eye-opening. We would recommend if you have a chance to travel to it, go!
Rachel kept herself busy with a trip to Osan to get her SOFA stamp for her passport with Blanca and her son Carlos. She was just happy to get off the base and out of the house. This week she also met a lot of new people also new to the area courtesy of a Korean Food class. Next week is Transportation 101 and a lot of the same people are attending. The food in Korea is great and Bulgogi is one of our favorites. She also ventured out to Itaewon and Emart (similiar to Target/Walmart). Juan is also keeping busy but with work, he has a huge exercise this week so he will be working long hours. We both equate it to being back on a ship and standing duty but with home visiting privileges. To us this is a blessing! Rachel also had her weekly OB appt with Dr. Kim, who said everything is good and the baby is the perfect size. About 2 weeks to go and we have a new addition.
This past Saturday, Juan had the day off so we went to the DMZ courtesy of the USO. It was a great trip and very eye-opening as to how close we really are to North Korea, about 60 kilometers. We traveled up North to visit the base and learn about the history of the Korean War which isn't over but rather a cease fire for over 54 years. We did get to step into North Korea (inside a ROK army buildings where there is a line of demarcation) and it is sad to see the North Korean soldiers guarding their border and to be so close to freedom yet so far away. It really makes you think how many times we take our freedom for granted and how blessed we truly are. The DMZ is no laughing matter and the soldiers there do not mess around, one guy on our tour tried to step behind a ROK guard and got blocked. We had never seen a soldier move so quickly, they stand in a modified Taekondo stance and can take a man down in a matter of seconds. The taking of photos is also strictly enforced along with dress code and any unauthorized movements and gestures.
Following our trip to the base, we went to Dora point where you can see North Korea in the distance along with the border markers, miles of fence, and the beauty of a place untouched by human hands. There are many animals in the area and some endangered species, such as the Japanese Crane. While on the trip we learned about the miles of landmines that are still out in these open fields and the history of several events when people tried to defect. Our day ended with a tour of Tunnel 3 which was found in the late 1970s. There are a total of 4 tunnels that have been found that were built by the North Koreans with a future plan to invade the South. Now they are blocked and one of them is a tourist attraction. We were allowed to go about 800 meters into the tunnel courtesy of a steep incline, easy to decend but harder to climb up. Rachel felt like a turtle ascending the grade but when it was also said and done, it was great exercise. Overall the trip to the DMZ was a good experience and eye-opening. We would recommend if you have a chance to travel to it, go!
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