| The United Nations Cemetery |
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| I think by this time we were about two hours into the trip. According to the map we were going in the right direction but it felt like forever in getting there. We stopped in a small shop that sold water, and I pulled out the map and pointed to where we were trying to go. The lady who ran the shop wrote down the number "134" on a piece of paper. In my simplistic vocabulary I asked if that was for a bus and she said yes. I speak in single word sentences. Thank goodness I am understood. |
| Brown signs indicate tourist areas. We were close... |
| We were enlightened only moments later by the Korean Police that this was a major no no. They pulled up behind us and explained that we would be found guilty in a Korean court. We feigned ignorance and were let go, with our promise not to do it again. In retrospect I find it amusing that in a country where the drivers continue to be hazardous to all they encounter, we get tagged for a walking violation. Go figure. |
| We looked for the bus and watched as several passed us by. Street signs informed us we were close so we kept walking. It was the longest 1.5 kilometers I have ever experienced. We needed to be on the other side of the road so we cut across a busy four lane road as opposed to taking a crosswalk or the skywalks that go overhead. |
| A Memorial Sculpture |
| Taking a breather |
| A short jaunt from our police encounter, we entered the memorial grounds complex. Despite having several buildings to explore we skipped them all and headed straight to the cemetery itself. It was just a short walk across a busy roadway, via a proper walkway. |
| A guide to the buildings and adjoining cemetery |
| As we walked through the main gate, the sounds of the busy street were left behind. The carefully manicured plants are a testament to the care that is taken in managing the grounds. More than 10,000 plants and schrubs have been donated by many countries and enhance the beauty of the site. |
| In 1951, this area served as a cemetery by the United Nations command during the Korean War. In 1959 an agreement was reached between the United Nations and the Republic of Korea to establish the "United Nations Memorial Cemetery" to pay tribute to all those killed during the Korean War. This cemetery is unique in the fact that it is designated by the United Nations itself. |
| Inaugurated August 21, 1964, the Memorial Service hall was built as a tribute to sacrifices rendered by UN forces in Korea. The triangular outline represents eternity in the abstract and symbolically conveys various religious faiths represented within the cemetery. |
| Entrance to the Memorial Service Hall |
| A small museum houses photographs and provides a small slice of history and insight |