post 4

My experience at the DMZ was surreal.  I feel like I learned much more than I expected. I was amazed by the this type of border system. Just to think about how I live like 30 minutes away from the US Canada border and I have never experienced the kind of restrictions nor the kind of threat that South Koreans face everyday. I think that it isc really interesting that this area is so heavily monitored. I also think that we could see the horizion of a country we know so little about. It made me wonder what it means to be happy in a society where your life is decided for you. I hope that I can learn more about North Koreans. While in Namdemun I wasn't particularly surprised at the "copy culture" because I feel like I see alot of it in the United States especially in New York and some of the Shopping districts there which completely cater to "knock-off" items. I think it is a clear sign of an emphasis on status and consumerism that isn't so foreign to American Society that may not always value authenticity as much as it does image.