North Korea.
I’ve been to a variety of totally different locations all through the world, and none of them have elicited such an emotional response from individuals once I inform them that I simply returned from North Korea.
Some individuals have been actually , whereas others seem confused. Some people discover it amusing, others suppose I’m joking, and but others think about it preposterous for me to say I went to North Korea.
After I inform individuals about my wonderful time in North Korea and the way it’s among the finest journeys ever, their reactions are priceless. Utter disbelief is commonplace, however I’d fortunately return once more.
It’s generally troublesome to take pleasure in a visit to North Korea whereas concurrently expressing help for the present regime. Some individuals look like confused on this subject. I didn’t imagine I used to be placing my life at risk. Moderately, it felt like one of many most secure locations I had been to when there.
1. There are various fascinating vacationer locations in North Korea.
North Korea is filled with fascinating sights, making it a must-see vacation spot for anybody who likes to journey.
Pyongyang, the nation’s capital and largest metropolis, is an interesting vacation spot. There are such a lot of monuments, nice squares, and sumptuous buildings within the metropolis. We had been capable of go to their most necessary statues, museums, in addition to the Juche Tower, which is 120 meters tall.
Not solely does North Korea current totally different sights than what it’s possible you’ll be used to, however visiting on a regular basis locations like shops, parks, and the subway can really feel like a vacationer attraction in itself! All the pieces is fascinating as a result of it’s so totally different from residence—and even when it’s acquainted, that unfamiliarity makes it intriguing.
With all of the demonizing of North Korea within the media, it’s straightforward to overlook that that is nonetheless a rustic populated by regular individuals.
There’s additionally an opportunity to see the DMZ, which is the border with South Korea (not that there are two Koreas in North Korea; it’s all Korea). I’ve already written about this once I visited from the south facet. It was, unquestionably, essentially the most wonderful journey expertise I’d ever had till I went to North Korea. It’s much more particular since you’re visiting it from the opposite facet.
2. Visiting North Korea is like stepping right into a time machine.
I’ve by no means felt like I’ve been transported again in time. Individuals used to speak about going backward in time once I went to Burma, however that’s nothing in comparison with North Korea.
This place appears to be like prefer it hasn’t modified because the Chilly Struggle 50 years in the past. At instances, I felt like I used to be in an outdated Disney film, like once I took the lodge elevate and there was man urgent the buttons in a full on uniform together with hat and gloves.
I felt as if I used to be watching a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie somewhat than witnessing it in individual.
3. North Korea is an interesting topic.
To place it one other means, life in North Korea is in contrast to life anyplace else on the planet (or the rest I’ve seen). The very first thing is propaganda. There seemed to be a unending provide of murals and banners. Nonetheless, most of them had a transparent army theme to them.
The individuals are rather more fascinating. They’re, to start with, all well-dressed and well-groomed. Individuals put on fits or formal clothes as an alternative of their very own. I spent a variety of time looking out by way of bus and prepare home windows, and everybody appeared immaculate.
The fourth trait to search for in an excellent pet is how keen and obedient they’re. When crossing the highway, each particular person would get off their bike and stroll it over. Each single individual.
This was the case with everything- individuals at all times following the principles completely each time we had been round. Clearly, this made for a really boring society.
The ultimate motive I discovered it so fascinating is that there’s at all times a query about what’s actual and what’s not.
Excursions to North Korea at all times have Korean tour guides, besides within the lodge or on the prepare. All components of the journey are organized and set-up previous to your arrival.
It’s troublesome to decipher which experiences are actual and put-on. For instance, once we noticed a whole bunch of individuals partaking in synchronous dancing, it didn’t appear real. However would they undergo all that hassle for the sake of 30 vacationers? Even when it was faux, their dedication is fascinating.
I felt as if I had been in The Truman Present, anticipating the identical individuals to stroll by me a number of instances.I attempted memorizing faces to see in the event that they had been really actual or a part of the arrange, however I couldn’t inform for positive.
4. It’s easy to go to North Korea.
What would possibly come as a shock is you could simply go to North Korea by merely taking a tour. I did simply that–I signed up, paid the payment, stuffed out some paperwork, and it was all set. It’s value noting that the 795 Euro price ticket wasn’t even costly.
Sometimes, you have to first go to Beijing. Trains and flights can be found from right here. Different prospects exist, however that is the one which Western vacationers will most continuously use. South Koreans will not be permitted to enter (until they’ve a unique passport) , whereas different nationalities can accomplish that.
Should you’re in search of an amazing firm to journey with, I extremely advocate Younger Pioneer Excursions.
5. There’s a really small probability of being a sufferer of crime.
I felt no anxiousness as quickly as I set foot in North Korea. My fear about one thing horrible taking place to me as soon as I obtained there vanished. So long as the nation didn’t go to battle and I didn’t act stupidly towards their guidelines or legal guidelines, I had nothing to be involved about.
I didn’t must be involved about pickpockets, my lodge room being robbed, or turning into mugged whereas I used to be in North Korea. Once you go to North Korea, the prospect of turning into against the law sufferer may be very small.
