Today we visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the tense border area between North and South Korea. Though we weren’t allowed to take many photos, the weight of history and tension in the air was impossible to miss. From the observation post, we looked across to the North Korean side, though thick fog blanketed much of the view. One of the most surreal parts of the trip was walking through the infiltration tunnels that North Korea built to invade South Korea. The tunnels were long, narrow, and surprisingly hilly.

After the heaviness of the morning, we shifted gears and went to a Korean baseball game that evening. The atmosphere was electric. Even though the team we were cheering for ended up losing, it was amazing to see how enthusiastic and spirited Korean fans are — the chants, the songs, the dancing — it all made the game incredibly fun. It wasn’t just a baseball game, it was a full-on cultural experience. We ate some delicious fried chicken (which absolutely lived up to the hype), and I tried a Korean hot dog for the first time. With some chips and a Coke, it was the perfect game-time meal.

After such a full day, we finally headed back and went to bed completely exhausted, but in the best way. Korea continues to surprise me with its mix of history, culture, and excitement, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.