Korean Job Discussion Forums

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

I just got back from the USO DMZ tour. It was brilliant and I highly recommend it. Not only was it informative, interesting and other I adjectives, it was an ESCAPE from Korea for the day Very Happy

and it couldn't have happened at a better time for me.

From 7.30am ~ 4.30pm, I spent time with other westerners (mostly US military) and absolutely no Koreans. When we arrived at a destination and had to get off the bus, the people in the front rows stood up and moved orderly into the aisles, then the next row etc etc. No ajosshis or ajummas barrelling up the aisles whacking people left and right with their important packages Very Happy

in their haste to be first off the bus.

And as ironic as this sounds, I found the DMZ, especially the US Army camp at Panmunjeon to be the most peaceful, quiet and beautiful place I've ever visited in Korea. The views today were amazing. Clear blue skies, no smog to hinder visibility. The quiet was something else. The politeness of the tourists holding doors for each other, making way... well it's brought on a big burst of homesickness!

So, even if you're not particularly intrigued by the DMZ tour, I highly recommend it as an escape from Korea for the day when push & shove of everday life here gets you down Wink

PS CLG - beat you!

Edit - The USO tour included the JSA at Panmunjeon where the peace talks are held, the 3rd Tunnel and Odusan Unification Observatory where you have a spectacular view of the DMZ & north Korea and have a good peek at them through the 500 won telescopes. (I saw four NK soliders going about their business). Cost was $40US (48,000 won) and 8,500 won for a buffet lunch on the US Army base. The pizza was good - corn free!

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Marathe · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Spider Hole

hey waterbaby

there weren't any koreans because i don't think they're allowed to go to the DMZ, barring special government dispensation (or a lengthy paperwork process) - plus they go on a different tour

having no koreans on a bus must have RAWKED tho.

camel96 · Guest

That USO one you've gotta book a week or two in advance for...right...?
Where does it leave from...?

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Call the USO on 02-795-3063 / 02 795-3028
Here's their website http://www.uso.org/Korea/default.cfm?contentid=103
I couldn't their Monthly Calendar to appear - broken image... give it a go
http://www.uso.org/Korea/default.cfm?contentid=345

Depart from the USO, about 5 mins walk from Samgakji Station, exit 10.

You can book at anytime, the real poo is that you have to actually pay in advance and you can only pay at the USO - no deposit money into a bank account or anything.