Back from travelling...
Trip to Axis of Evil (North Korea) was fascinating and - as is so often the case with places that sound as though they are going to be a pain - really really enjoyable. And then the news today that they've conducted a nuclear test... hmmm.
Pyongyang is a fantastic city. Built from scratch in the 1950s, as it had been completely flattened by the USA during the Korean War. Looks like a model city. Quite beautiful, actually.
We also drove down south to the border with South Korea, down a massive four lane highway - but there's no other traffic. Kind of surreal. Villages are quite similar to other countries in that region - like China in many ways. Plenty of agriculture, with rice and other vegetables being grown everywhere.
People were a delight. Very friendly, and scared shitless of the USA... they're quite worried (perhaps with good reason) that America will invade or bomb them, hence their desire to have nuclear weapons. Unfortunately thay haven't trealised that having them raises the likelihood of an invasion.
They don't let Americans in (although they'll sometimes make exceptions during the Mass Games, but at an extortionate price), but other nationalities can get a visa and visit if they are accompanied by a guide, entering by either plane or train from Beijing. Would really recommend it. It gives you a fascinating insight into how people live within a communist, Confucian and, for the most part, completely isolated culture.
Will post a few pics from the trip in the next few days, plus some from China.
Trip to Axis of Evil (North Korea) was fascinating and - as is so often the case with places that sound as though they are going to be a pain - really really enjoyable. And then the news today that they've conducted a nuclear test... hmmm.
Pyongyang is a fantastic city. Built from scratch in the 1950s, as it had been completely flattened by the USA during the Korean War. Looks like a model city. Quite beautiful, actually.
We also drove down south to the border with South Korea, down a massive four lane highway - but there's no other traffic. Kind of surreal. Villages are quite similar to other countries in that region - like China in many ways. Plenty of agriculture, with rice and other vegetables being grown everywhere.
People were a delight. Very friendly, and scared shitless of the USA... they're quite worried (perhaps with good reason) that America will invade or bomb them, hence their desire to have nuclear weapons. Unfortunately thay haven't trealised that having them raises the likelihood of an invasion.
They don't let Americans in (although they'll sometimes make exceptions during the Mass Games, but at an extortionate price), but other nationalities can get a visa and visit if they are accompanied by a guide, entering by either plane or train from Beijing. Would really recommend it. It gives you a fascinating insight into how people live within a communist, Confucian and, for the most part, completely isolated culture.
Will post a few pics from the trip in the next few days, plus some from China.