I heart Korea even though it is smelly!

On Thursday, I made it to base, got pancakes from McDonald's, met up with Angela and her husband Dave, and got to the airport. The flight was very easy, especially since I was reading this book that I absolutely loved. We got to Korea and took the shuttle over to the Dragon Hill Lodge. It was on the base in Seoul and had a ton of different restaurants, like Pizza Hut, Subway, and Burger King. I realized I had not seen a Burger King in almost 3 months, but did not eat there. Anyway, once we checked in we headed over to our Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel. For the most part, it was not very good and the main thing I liked was off the children's table (pigs in a blanket). After, we went to one of the hotel bars and had several drinks. We went to bed early to get up to take the DMZ aka demilitarized zone between South and North Korea. At 7:30 AM we met up with the tour and went about 2 hours North to the DMZ zone. Our first stop led us to one of four tunnels discovered by South Korea that North Korea claimed they dug when looking for coal and not because they were trying to invade South Korea. We made the the trek far below the earth and as I was walking down I thought oh fuck we have to walk back up. When we got down there, it really was painted black. Also, apparently North Korea wants money from South Korea for the tour claiming they should get some since they dug the tunnels. Whatever, the next part of the tour took us to a viewpoint of North Korea. It was very foggy and really could not see much, but it was a really neat experience. Last part of the tour, took us to the train station from South Korea to North Korea. The only people allowed to ride it are people in South Korea that work at this one specific factory. However, I was told that on Friday it was closed due to conflict indefinitely. We got back to the hotel and I went and got my nails done. I swear I saw a bunch of nail shops nothing like Japan. After, we had decided to see a traditional Korean show and have a traditional Korean meal. The show was kind of interesting and the food was absolutely disgusting. In Korea, they serve Kim Chi with every meal. Kim Chi is picked or rotten cabbage. It is so gross and everywhere/everyone in Korea smells like it. I have no idea what 90% of the meal was, but none of it was good. The next day, Angela and I went to get Korean massages. It was a lot like the naked house,but Korean style. You go in pay, take off your clothes, soak in hot water with other naked people, then the little Korean lady called me up for my massage. Anglea and went up there and the little Korean told me what seemed very sternly to lay on the table. I laid on the table and she took out what felt like to Brillo pads and scrubbed my entire body. It was painful and not a good I idea. She flipped me from side to side and I could see skin coming off. Yuck, most of you know that I very sensitive skin and I could feel a slight rash developing over my entire body. However, I am dumb ass and proceeded with the massage. She walked on my back, dumped baby oil and milk everywhere and rub it in, while dumping hot water every couple of minute. I know this sound so fun, but it was an experience. After it was over of course I had a rash everywhere, but ignored it and hoped it would go away. It was so cold that day that I guess the rash went away. We got to the hotel, got her husband, and went to a night market. It was like 20 degrees and freezing. We looked around a bit and I bought some things. After, we went to Outback Steakhouse. It was delicious and by this time Angela had convinced her husband to try the Korean Massage. We dropped him off, found a bar where I could try So Chu/Korean moonshine like 40% alcohol in the shot, and found a bar that for around 5 dollars you could drink free. Dave finished the massage and I am pretty sure was traumatized by the experience. We went back to the hotel and some more drinks. The next day I woke up with a full body rash, traveled back the whole day with it, and went to the emergency room when I got back on base. It was quick got medicine, and woke up feeling much better. I had a great time in Korea, but I leave for America in a week!!! Also, I want to say Happy Birthday to my favorite smelly 30 year old in DC.