Final thoughts about the DMZ Tour!
Our bus ride home lasts about an hour and a half. A beautiful Spring day along the Hangang River. We noticed cherry trees blooming all around. Folks in swan shaped paddleboats enjoy the beautiful weather out on the river. A giant fountain spurts water exactly 202 meters high into the sky, mid-way out in the river. 202m symbolizing the year Korea hosted the World Cup Soccer Tournament. 2002. Koreans take sports extremely seriously here. The 1988 Summer Olympics birthed a major highway along the Southern bank of the Hangang River--to this day this major thoroughfare is known as Hwy 88 or Olympic Hwy.
Along the way, our tour guide reveals that she is personally affected by the separation of North & South Koreas. Her mother and father, once Korean citizens from Pyongyang at the onset of the Korean Conflict, were forced to depart their home in search for food.
Upon leaving Pyongyang, her mother says a quick goodbye to her grandmother and says, "We'll see you soon."
They become refugees after the demarcation of the 38th Parallel midway through the Korean Conflict. North of the 38th, the Russians are responsible, South of the 38th, the Americans. Some how this administrative 'management' line gets twisted, conflict continues, MacArthur retreats and her parents leave Pyongyang.
They float aboard a hastily built 'raft' upon the icy waters of the Taedong River (South of Pyongyang) precariously balancing their infant son along the way. Barely holding him above certain death in the frigid waters. Somehow, they survive. They make their way South. Endure the remainder of the War. Observe the barriers between North & South that erupt.
Life continues.
Some 50 years later, our tour guide's mother has never seen her mother again.
Our tour guide never meets her grandparents.
Never meets many of her aunts and uncles.
Has no idea who her cousins are.
She noted that if she ever crossed paths with her relatives on the street, she'd have no idea. Not only would she not recognize them, but she wouldn't understand their lives and probably would not understand their culture.
One nation--split into two distinct sides, families separated, lives disassembled.
A once strong & mighty people, torn down into bitter enemies. Needlessly.
Along the way, our tour guide reveals that she is personally affected by the separation of North & South Koreas. Her mother and father, once Korean citizens from Pyongyang at the onset of the Korean Conflict, were forced to depart their home in search for food.
Upon leaving Pyongyang, her mother says a quick goodbye to her grandmother and says, "We'll see you soon."
They become refugees after the demarcation of the 38th Parallel midway through the Korean Conflict. North of the 38th, the Russians are responsible, South of the 38th, the Americans. Some how this administrative 'management' line gets twisted, conflict continues, MacArthur retreats and her parents leave Pyongyang.
They float aboard a hastily built 'raft' upon the icy waters of the Taedong River (South of Pyongyang) precariously balancing their infant son along the way. Barely holding him above certain death in the frigid waters. Somehow, they survive. They make their way South. Endure the remainder of the War. Observe the barriers between North & South that erupt.
Life continues.
Some 50 years later, our tour guide's mother has never seen her mother again.
Our tour guide never meets her grandparents.
Never meets many of her aunts and uncles.
Has no idea who her cousins are.
She noted that if she ever crossed paths with her relatives on the street, she'd have no idea. Not only would she not recognize them, but she wouldn't understand their lives and probably would not understand their culture.
One nation--split into two distinct sides, families separated, lives disassembled.
A once strong & mighty people, torn down into bitter enemies. Needlessly.
posted by Adventure Seeker | 4:57 AM
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