Hermit Kingdom

**Please note my pictures are not great because it was raining during the entire trip. However the links I've provided have fantastic clear pictures.**

Saturday June 20 I went on a USO tour to the Korean Demilitarized Zone known locally as the DMZ. It took approximately two hours by bus to arrive at Camp Bonifas and then a short wait for our soldier/tour guide. Once on post we were transferred to a second bus and taken for a briefing.

I was quite excited to get my own little UN visitors badge if only for a few hours.



Flags of countries who have sent help with to South Korea in either the Korean War or to maintain the DMZ.


We were next taken over through the fence and to the midline of the DMZ were negotiations are held. The building we were escorted through was originally meant for visits between family members but this sadly hasn't happened so far. On the other side of that building lay the actual midline, buildings that house the neutral nations delegations and then North Korea.



North Korean soldier watching us through binoculars.



Some of the ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers that patrol this area. The blue building is the main negotiating building and were we were taken next.


Negotiating table with microphones that are monitored by both sides 24 hours a day. Both North and South Koreans can bring visitors into this building. Our tour guide/soldier is standing on the midline with a ROK soldier.


Exact midline. To the right is South Korea, to the left is North Korea.


Here I am quite chuffed to be standing in North Korea. We were not allowed to pass this soldier or touch him.


According to our tour guide/soldier these flags were placed under glass after an incident when a North Korean soldier came into the room and plucked the UN flag from it's stand and began to wipe his boots with it. Then he took the American flag and blew his nose with it trying to provoke a response as the room is also being filmed at all times.


One of the largest flags in the world. It stands in the North Korean village of Kijong-dong within the DMZ area. It is thought that no one lives in the village at this time.


Third observation post. At this point I am surrounded on three sides by North Korea.


Monument for the Axe Murder Incident Camp Bonifas is named for one of the men killed during this gruesome attack.


Bridge of No Return were prisoners of war were exchanged.


This rice was grown in Taeseong-dong the South Korean counterpart to Kijong-dong. The people of this village receive many benefits but are also under tight restrictions.


Care for a snack?



After lunch (I packed a picnic for myself but had to eat on the bus due to the rain) we were taken to the Third Infiltration Tunnel It was a very steep walk down but interesting. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take in cameras. I also thought I'd never make it back out.

This sculpture represents the hope for a reunited Korea and peace in the world and stands outside the tunnel facility.


Finally we were taken to the Dora Observation Post but we weren't allowed to take photos there and I can't find much about it online.

History Ex Libris

Yesterday I Stubled Upon this amazing link to gorgeous libraries and it set me thinking about my own history with libraries and their importance in my life. My first library was the Chipley Public Library which was originally in downtown in a white concrete block building. It later moved to the old firehouse where it shared a space with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. I remember many long days spent as the only person in the young adult room on the second floor of that library. I even saw someone propose in that room. The best thing was I could go anywhere through that room. Not just in this world, but to other worlds and times. For me it was magic.

What followed were a series of serviceable but rather humdrum libraries. A go-see to Agnes Scott College in Atlanta was rewarded with a beautiful library. The next library that was somewhat "mine" was the Medical College of Virginia's which I used to go and study amongst the old bound journals and theses of students long dead. It was musty and dark and nearly perfect with hardwood study carols and a constant hush.

In Turkey the libraries made me cry. The children's room of the public library in Isparta had only slim, dirty, picture free paperback volumes meant to teach morals and letters. Where were the board books for babies? The beginner readers with Dr. Seuss rhymes? The short chapter books filled with bright pictures to encourage a life long love of the printed word? They were not there or in the shops either. Upstairs the regular books were kept behind a counter and could only be touched by permission and never taken out of the room. Never taken to a cozy chair to be read with hot chocolate. Never taken to bed on a stormy night. Never taken to a hot bath during a bout of the flu. It was sad and I never went back after the first visit. Before we left Turkey I donated over 100 books to the SDU library. I had taught English there but there were only a handful of English books before my donation.

Now for the third time in my life I find myself in a position were the libraries are out of reach. I don't read the language of the country I am in and have no desire to depress myself by finding out what sort of horrors lie in South Korean libraries. The post library has about the same number of books at the Chipley library were I started my life and so it will do. One day I'd like to have a library of my own. A place were children could sink into soft beanbags surrounded by the beauties of literature. A place were adults could get lost in the stacks of history or foreign language or science. I know it is a bit old fashioned now what with Kindle, iPhones, and Audible, but for me a book will always be a constant companion.