Sadly, that's a conversation I have on a regular basis when a stranger learns of my profession. Of course, fighter pilots are a historic and visible emblem of the Air Force, but with the reaction I get when I state that, in fact, I'm not a Top Gun pilot, is often semi-veiled disappointment. In some ways, those guys have the best job in the world, but I'm pretty confident that even those of us in the less-glorious fields have something to contribute. None the less, I was fortunate enough to experience some of what they do in a FAM (familiarization) flight last month. All I can say is that jets are incredible pieces of equipment and I'm left with no doubt that our pilots (and all of the support they receive is pretty damn good) are the best in the world. I had a blast and if I ever get another opportunity to fly in a jet I'll jump on it.
Recently the Hermit Kingdom underwent a transition of power when KJI died and his son KJU stepped up to rule. As of yet, not much has happened besides the least experienced 4 star general in the history of the world stepping into the roles his father held as leader of the sad, brainwashed, and impoverished little country. Considering the luxury the tiny upper-elite enjoys, I don't see them making any huge changes any time soon. Life would be unpleasant to say the least for those who would not only lose their place at the top, but also find themselves facing the ire and judgement of the civilized world. I got a chance to look into a tiny little piece of the country on a trip to the DMZ. When Mom came out to visit, she bravely made the trek with the ITT group so I could spend the day at work. I got to see the same sites on a MUCH colder day. We drove North from Seoul, seeing the several points along the highway where preparations are in place to stop or at least, delay an invasion of North Koreans. Of course, the South Koreans are building away in the zone north of Seoul due to favorable laws and tax regions which allow them more freedom in housing and business. Once at the DMZ, we were able to see the buildings where meetings are held between North Korea and the rest of the world. South Korean guards stood at a ready position in front of the door leading to North Korea. Apparently, they're ensuring that none of the visitors try to defect to the North. The soldiers serving in this duty are selected when they report for basic training (South Korea uses conscription - all men are required to serve for at least 2 years). They are the biggest Koreans I've seen and experts in Taekwondo. Messages are often communicated to the North Koreans - there's a phone call from the South letting them know the type of information that needs to be communicated. If it's anything important they usually reject the message and personnel from the multinational command manning the border are forced to read the message over a bull horn in English and Korean. We moved on to lunch with the NNSC - let me tell you - the Swedes and the Swiss at the Neutral Nations Supervisory Council eat a whole lot better than any US personnel on PEN! We drove on and saw the "Bridge to Nowhere." We were fortunate to get off the bus and take a bunch of photos - this is uncommon so the North Korean guard on the other side actually came out of his little shack to look at us with his binoculars. It's like going to a two-sided zoo where the animals are armed, everything on the other side is interesting but it can kill you, too. We were looking at him just as much as he was looking at us! We moved on to Tunnel #3 where North Koreans unsuccessfully attempted to tunnel all the way to Seoul. They only made it about a mile, but the tunnel had pretty decent engineering. In order to pretend it was an abandoned mining tunnel, they smeared coal dust on the walls ...too bad it's pure granite with no coal to be found....sneaky North Koreans. The last stop was the customs station. All traffic to and from North Korea processes through this location, including goods, tourists, etc. Recently, a previously approved tourist was deported back to South Korea for wrapping some of his goods in newspaper. Such foreign contraband is forbidden in North Korea - good thing fish and chips isn't high on the menu! If you have any further interest in that lost piece of the world, the National Geographic documentary "Inside North Korea" by Lisa Ling is eye-opening (no pun intended).
Yesterday I ventured up to Seoul and spent a few hours wandering around the War Memorial of Korea which is a museum of not only the Korean War, but of the soldiers and war in the history of Korea. Not only was a I treated to scale replicas of turtle ships and sunlight symbolic of the birth of Korea, but I also saw a that part of the museum (not the adjacent Wedding Hall) had been turned into Dino Land with several huge blow-up bouncy slides, bins of wooden pieces that looked like big dinosaur puzzles, and other tables covered for coloring. Afterward, I wandered around Itaewon, and ended up getting a back and foot massage. After paying up front, I was shown to a small locker room where I changed into shorts and a t-shirt. I went back to a freezing room where I got a mediocre massage, great foot rub, and bonus stretching at the end. Upon leaving, I realized I had <15 minutes to make it to the 1700 bus or I could wait another hour browsing shops and meandering back....I ran and made it with 4 minutes to spare!
Besides those exciting adventures, life has been very busy recently. I did luck out with one final trip to Hawaii, but for the most part, it's just the long work days! We did get a day off for the Lunar New Year celebration. The Catholic community celebrated with a fellowship and presentation sponsored by the Korean prayer group. They cooked a feast to serve after Mass and one of the ladies taught some of the girls a Korean dance.. Then Fr. Peter, our wonderful Vietnamese priest, told us that he would also perform for us in honor of Tet (the Vietnamese New Year). However, instead of a traditional Vietnamese song, he performed Elvis's "Falling in Love with You." He invited us all to sing along AND when we got to the second verse....he didn't know it. Apparently, the not quite right of Korea just seeps into everything and everyone!
Otherwise, I'm training for the Seoul Marathon again and getting ready to leave the ROK. (In my head I like to think of Sean Connery saying "The Rock" and then I momentarily feel cooler about being here. Those moments are fleeting, but precious none-the-the less. Today, I'm off work, thanks to Superbowl Monday. As I left the O'Club to head home, my friend remarked that while the weather is overcast, it hasn't been very smelly the past several days. Korea has this funny way of being smelly, sometimes I worry that I left the trash out until I realize that it's not just near the garbage....it's actually just Korea. as I said...fleeting, but precious. I'll finish up this post, add a few photos and work on writing some Valentine's. I've got a few more weeks left until i'm back in the States and Valentine's Day will be my 1 year anniversary here in Korea. I think it's fitting to celebrate!
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| Crush 'Em! |
