Wednesday, October 19, 2005
An American naif goes to North Korea
Apparently, small numbers of American tourists are being allowed in to North Korea. The BBC has published an astonishing article by one of them.
On the "friendly" Nork tour guides:
On the average Kim:
On security measures, which did not seem to trouble this tourist in the least:
She looks at the chronic power shortages on, er, the bright side:
Get there quickly, before Pyongyang loses its charm!
Sheesh.
On the "friendly" Nork tour guides:
Before we set off, we were forewarned that the tour guides might tease us for being "American imperialists," but that they would eventually warm up to us.
To be honest, I was surprised with how friendly and warm-hearted they were.
They had their photos taken with us, told stories about their lives, answered our questions - some to more of an honest degree than others - sang songs and had a few beers with us in the evenings.
On the average Kim:
Other than our tour guides, waitresses and store clerks, we didn't get much of a chance to speak with local Koreans.
Obviously there was a language barrier, and the local people were also somewhat hesitant in speaking to us.
That's not to say that they weren't friendly, though. If we waved and smiled, they would wave and smile back. If we offered the children candy, they would happily accept it.
Though North Korea has been labelled the Axis of Evil, the people there didn't fit the stereotype - in fact they shared many of the same values as we hold; concern for family, politeness and courtesy.
On security measures, which did not seem to trouble this tourist in the least:
At the airport we were quickly rushed through customs, asked to hand in our cell phones and divided into groups, with Americans separated from non-Americans...
Guides must always accompany foreign tourists - even for a short three-minute walk outside the hotel - and permission must be granted for any photograph taken.
The authorities didn't think it was appropriate for Americans to see the Great Leader's Mausoleum, and we also missed out on the Military Museum, where paintings of historical events take the place of real pictures. [Gee, I wonder why? - ed.]
She looks at the chronic power shortages on, er, the bright side:
In order to save electricity, most roads are not lit up at night, and young men and women stand at major intersections, directing traffic with a glowing baton like the Luke Skywalker sword.
We were told that when it gets too cold for people to direct traffic in the winter months, they revert back to the use of traffic lights.
But each window in the apartment buildings had a light that was on, which was not only beautiful but also quite eerie. When was the last time everyone in your apartment complex was home at the same time?
Get there quickly, before Pyongyang loses its charm!
But having been, I highly recommend that others take any opportunity they can to go and see for themselves what Pyongyang is like - as soon as they can, as it won't be the same forever.
Sheesh.
2 Comments:
By 
Fausta, at
Wed Oct 19, 08:50:00 AM:
By MrSurly, at
Wed Oct 19, 01:25:00 PM:
Gee, I guess the tour didn't extend to the housing blocks where homeless children are basically confined until they starve to death or any of the villages where residents have resorted to cannibalism just to get basic nutrition. I guess those folks just aren't polite and friendly enough to smile and wave to gulible tourists.
