North Korea - Part 3

Poyhon Buddhist Temple

We headed two hours northeast of Pyongyang to Mt. Myohyang located in the idyllic mountain areas that remain virtually untouched. North Korea easily could be a nature lover's paradise with infinite possibilities for hiking, skiing, climbing, etc. Perhaps in the future this could be a lucrative venture that would help build a stable and growing economy (of a new government, no less).

The hotel was freezing yet again, but only in the public areas. The rooms were toasty warm and the hot water was turned on in anticipation of our arrival (though only for one hour that night and one hour in the morning). The shower was in a raised bathtub that one must be pretty limber to get up into and was quite impossible to stand up straight in. There was a handheld shower nozzle because one must sit down in the bath, being careful to prevent water from soaking the tile floor below since there was no shower curtain. Dinner was satisfying as we sat close to the heaters, drinking our way into the evening and chatting about what had been seen so far and what was to come. It was a most delightful evening since there was nothing else to do and no other guests in the hotel. 

North Korea - Kumsusan Memorial Palace

Empty Roads to Kumsusan 

Beautiful snow. Clean lines. The architecture was utopian. We marched from the waiting hall to the main entrance, where we checked out coats, cameras, and bags before setting off on the mile-long escalator ride for personal reflection. It's one of those airport ones that cover a long distance; however, this one moves about 2 miles per hour, and we were not allowed to walk or talk. We had to stand still in order to reflect and prepare ourselves to see the dear leaders. There were a few photographs on the walls that show the Kim's looking at various things. What a joy. 

North Korea - Part 2

GOOD MORNINNNNGGG, PYONGYANG!!!

Courtesy Beyongmedioonline.com

The phone rang at 7:01.

I broke a glass trying to find the phone on the bedside table, and nearly fell out of bed trying to figure out how to answer it. The sun had not yet risen, but the faint light exposed a bleak and foggy winter wonderland. The river below was frozen solid and I could barely make out any lights twinkling in the quiet city. I only saw one car in the distance. Upstairs we were served quite a feast for breakfast: 1 egg over easy, 3 pieces of plain white toast, 1 small bottle of water, 2 stale pieces of sweet bread, and a sliver of jam. Coffee optional at an extra cost. Everything was served cold.

North Korea - Part 1

Praise be to Dear Leader, Kim Il Sung, President of the DPRK, and to Generals Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un…

It all began on the eve of Chinese New Year; Beijing was empty - no one walking down the sidewalks, no bicyclists speeding the opposite way down the street, no taxis deliberately not picking up foreigners, hell, not even buses could be found. The air was still polluted, go figure, but 20 brave adventurers embarked on a life-changing journey to one of the most isolated places on earth - Terminal 2, Beijing Capital Airport. Here is where the story begins.