Welcome the Buddha that's within you

So today we went to North Korea. Well, technically we went on a JSA (joint security area) tour. A coach took us to the DMZ (demilitarisation zone) which is on the border between North and South Korea. After several ID checks by the South Korean army we were taken to the centre of the DMZ which is the JSA. We were able to look across at a North Korean building from the building we were stood beside, but as there were no North Korean tourists about today, there was only one North Korean guard stood far back. We weren't in any danger. We were then taken into a room that sits on the border and so one side of the room was North Korea and one side was South. It's a bit strange that they mark the border with either little white wooden posts 200 metres apart or a cement barrier that is only 15 centimetres high. But outside of the DMZ South Korea have barbed wire fences along even rivers to stop anyone from the north swimming in. 

It was also far too touristy. We were told not to take photos for the majority of the trip but then they allowed us to have a photo session at the border. It was only two minutes but people were getting selfies and smiling with North Korea in the background. It just didn't seem right. However, the tour did teach me a lot more about the Korean War and what went on. 

On the way back to Seoul the tour stopped off at a sweet little restaurant for lunch. Food was on the table already as we sat down. There was a big pot on a gas burner to share between two people which was full of beef in some sort of Korean stew with onions and gelatine noodles. Each person also had their own rice and pickles. Rather tasty. 

Back in Seoul we had heard that the lotus latern festival parade was on so we headed to the correct area of the city and found some chairs to sit on, ready for the parade to begin. It went on for about an hour and a half! Thousands of people passed us by wearing different costumes, carrying many shaped lanterns or pushing an amazingly colourful float. The festival is to celebrate Buddha's birthday but it seems like it's also a nice way for the city to come together and for everyone to enjoy themselves.