Preparing To Go To Korea

In the summer our family will be going to South Korea (and a few other places).  While we are there we will visit the border between South Korea and North Korea.  We have had dress codes before when we have traveled around Asia, particularly in stricter Muslim areas, but we have never come across such a strict dress code as we will face on this tour.  The details below were sent to us when we confirmed our reservation for the tour of the border.  

Everyone MUST follow the dress code below. This is UNCMAC policy, not ours but we must enforce it.

*UNCMAC is the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission.

Civilian personnel must be appropriately dressed in casual, semi-formal or formal attire. This includes a dress suit, khakis or jean trousers with a Polo-style or formal collared shirt. Shoes must be closed-toe and can be either low quarters or boot. Backpacks, purses and camera bags are permitted, but must remain in the vehicle transporting the individual. Jackets and outerwear must be worn not carried.

The following civilian attire and accessories are strictly prohibited within the UNC MACHA:

(1) Shirts/tops without sleeves or which expose the midriff.

(2) Any clothing with insulting, profane, profane, provocation or demanding representations.

(3) Ripped jeans or trousers which expose undergarments or private parts of the anatomy.

(4) Shorts or skirts which are shorter than knee length.

(5) Outer articles of clothing which is are sheer or stretch material such as warm-ups pants and leggings.

(6) Sports uniforms, logos or athletic clothing of any kind.

(7) Shower shoes, sandals or open-toe shoes.

(8) Clothing with military-style camouflage, to include hunting apparel.

(9) Oversized clothing or excessively baggy trousers.

(10) Leather “Biker” vests and leather riding chaps.

(11) Umbrellas (except for during periods of precipitation).

(12) Tripods (except for authorized media)

Visitors wearing attire deemed inappropriate by the UNCSB-JSA security escorts will not be permitted to enter the UNC MACHA.

The reason for the strict dress code are fears by the South Koreans that the North Koreans will take pictures of the tourists and use it for state propaganda.

Here are some pictures, taken from the Internet, of what we expect to see:

 The DMZ or Demilitarized Zone is a 4 kilometer wide zone that goes between North and South Korea.  It is like a buffer zone between the two countries

Panmunjom (an abandoned village) is where the ceasefire was signed (in one of these two blue buildings) between North and South Korea. The line between the two types of concrete pavement is the border between North and South Korea.  The men in uniforms in the foreground are South Korean.

A Few Pictures of my Time in Canada

Oliver, with the help of Nelson, is doing a magic trick to make the fork stick to the knife end-to-end (the fork is not touching the table).  These are also fun pictures to "spot the differences".  These pictures were taken on my birthday at Boston Pizza

Flicker the cat and I

Sharing a laugh, even in sad times

The Reason I Went To Canada:

 

Pictures taken from the four corners of the table at Morgan Creek

 

Sarah and Dad, the last to make their way from the niche.  I love the cross in the background

A Fun Photo Op at the Mall, Valentines Day, 2016

Baby Birds Outside My Classroom

Hungry

A baby bird sucking on Aimee's finger.  Later, Aimee gave the mama some mashed banana.  She couldn't give the babies some mashed banana because the mama was sitting on them.  The next day, the baby birds were mysteriously gone

On My Way To School Today, #2

Today I walked to school before the sun was fully up.  On the way this is what I saw around the corner from our house.

This candle was slowly burning from the top.  It is in "honour" of the Hokkien new year which falls in the middle of Chinese new year.  

For more information, this is from Wikipedia and describes what is going on:

Eighth day (which was last night)

"Approaching 12 midnight on this day, Hokkien people" (Note: People who speak the Hokkien language - a dialect of Chinese commonly spoken in Malaysia and other places too) "prepare for the "Jade Emperor ritual" during which incense is burnt and food offerings are made to the Jade Emperor and also to Zao Jun, the kitchen god who reports on each family to the Jade Emperor.

Some people will hold a ritual prayer after midnight on the eighth day. Hokkiens will offer thanks to the Emperor of Heaven. A prominent requisite offering is sugarcane. Legend holds that the Hokkien were spared from a massacre by Japanese pirates by hiding in a sugarcane plantation during the eighth and ninth days of the Chinese New Year, coinciding with the Jade Emperor's birthday.  "Sugarcane" is a near homonym to "thank you" in the Hokkien dialect, Hokkiens offer sugarcane on the eve of his birthday, symbolic of their gratitude." (Note: the lady who I buy fruits from at the wet market said she was up until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning praying to her god.  Their fruit stall was closed the next morning.)  "In Malaysia, especially, people light fireworks, often more than on the first day."

Ninth day (today)

"The ninth day of the New Year is a day for Chinese to offer prayers to the Jade Emperor of Heaven. The ninth day is traditionally the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is especially important to Hokkiens, even more important than the first day of the Chinese New Year."  (Note: It is like a Hokkien Thanksgiving Day, I was told.)