DMZ

Waiting inside the South Korean building at Panmunjeom for our chance to cross the Demarkation Line.

It was foggy as hell.

No cell phone reception, contrary to stories I've heard dated several years in the past.

At least this tour let us go to the other side.

But they didn't allow us to bring tripods in. The last time I went, the KPA let me set up my tripod on this desk, and I stood in exactly the same place.

I still remember the video of Han Sangryeol standing on the demarcation line. I'd never really thought before that it was built in such a way that you could stand on it.

They let us take pictures from inside the building, toward Panmungak.

Lonely truck.

They made us leave our cameras on the bus at the third tunnel, which was a disappointment. Then at the end they let us grab our cameras again. I got this one picture of a Chinese tourist with some soldiers.

On the bus.

This was at the Dorasan observation area. Due to the fog, we couldn't see anything out the windows.

On a clear day you'd be able to see a bunch of North Korea.

Artist's rendition.

Yes, somehow the Dorasan observation area overlooks Kim Ilsung Square.

A map of the Gyeongui line. South, it passes right in front of my apartment, but they have it regulated so you can't take a train straight up to Dorasan.

There is a lot of wildlife in the DMZ.

Inside Dorasan Station.

This can only have been made by North Koreans.

Mini trains... or are they?

We got to wander around on the tracks.

Funny looking bird tracks.

One of the guides.

Bush was on our tour. Also, a dead president.

The other guide.

These two soldiers seemed to have a little more trouble keeping straight faces.

On the way back into Seoul.