Close to Nowhere

Most of what I know (or think I know) about the Korean War comes from the television show M*A*S*H. While it’s one of my favorte TV shows, I don’t think it’s an accurate portrayal. Never having been to war, I still think that you can’t really capture the horrors of war on film.

Today, North and South are still divided in Korea — by the 38th Parallel, which is what North Korea crossed to invade South Korea.

As an apathetic non-participator in politics of any and every kind, that’s about the extent of my knowledge. I do confess to worrying about nuclear weapons. I remember all too well the bomb drills we had in elementary school — to protect ourselves from a nuclear blast, we hid under our desks.

So, apathetic being that I am, why am I so enthusiastic about North and South Korea teaming up during the 2018 Winter Olympics?

I love the Olympic games! I’ve always been patriotic and the games bring that right out. The playing of the national anthem while an American athlete stands on the podium with a gold medal is sure to make me tear up.

I hope y’all were lucky enough to see Chloe Kim on the half-pipe snowboard. This little girl, only 17, was shooting over the snowy course like she was Shaun White (gold medalist in men’s snowboarding).

Chloe is spectacular. She is also an American athelete descended from South Korean parents. Some have said that Chloe being South Korean makes her win on South Korean soil a win for South Korea.

I beg to differ. If she’d stayed in South Korea, she would not have had the time, money and privileges she has had as a California teenager.

Chloe is also American. She was really misty-eyed while The Star Spangled Banner played as she accepted her gold medal.

I am thrilled that North and South Korea were able to join together and compete in the games. This might be a step toward peace talks.

Just think, world peace and freedom from fear of a nuclear war all from a bunch of games played in the freezing cold and snow.

Did you know that at times on the mountains in South Korea, with the wind chill, it was -30°F?

Couch Olympian here.