We combined business with pleasure last Sunday, April 20.

We had a meeting with Manuel's colleagues in Ilsan. Most Koreans agree this place is an ajuma's (wives') place. Indeed, it is a very nice place for families. After lunch, we went to Paju City where the Unification Observatory and Provence are located.

The Unification Observatory was built in September 1992 and stands as a symbol for the Koreans' desire (?) to be united as a nation. To this day, when you drive by Paju City, you would see barbed wires along the road. The border between the North and South is still the most heavily fortified in the world. When you watch through the binoculars you could see the North Koreans doing their daily activities which is mostly farming. some buildings were built along the coast to show the South that they are progressing. Of course, these are just for show and in fact, nobody lives in those buildings.

Moving back, we passed by Provence. It is a colorful area with several buidings (more like houses) housing restaurants, coffee shops, a bakery, gardens, several shops selling handmade soaps, candles, plants and herbs. The buildings are painted in pastel colors that it adds to the "spring" feeling when you visit the place.