A travel diary
Wed Sept 29th, 2010 - Thurs Oct 7th, 2010
Written by Robin unruly
for www.rebellogblog.com / dev
(朝鲜民主主义人民共和国)
North Korea - Day 4
Before this tour there was, the day before, a few discussions with our tour guide. I had repeatedly pointed out that we tour to Panmunjom / DMZ (demilitarized zone) do not want it again, because we, a few weeks ago when we were in South Korea, the line had already seen in detail. also wanted the interest of our children, we do not overextend. But now I get to know typical asian tactics. They laugh friendly, as if we had made a joke, but remain adamant. Panmunjom / DMZ is a must. In the hotel we meet an older British couple who have been here 6 years ago and even then had made the tour. It does not help, they too are being carted to the border.
short term, I consider whether I should start a fight, but then I decide against it. The whole atmosphere is ultimately so good that we bite the bullet. First of all: We have not looked back. It was incredibly interesting, even for the children. The tour was to say quite different than in the south. We drive our minibus back empty on a highway. This time, no police officers to the streets. I take my 200mm and I manage to shoot good pictures. That alone makes it worth the drive. There are at least 170 km in one direction. Before the border then 4 controls, but much less effort than with the Americans in the South.
where you could not even individually to the border, but only as a tour group. The tour guide had made us familiar with numerous rules, including several dress codes. Then in the south all the border areas were mined, numerous warning signs. A major uprising, change to an American military bus, no photograph of the officer detailed daily organizer We had even sign that we in the case of a Konfliktsituatuion make anyone responsible ....
Now, in this case. We take our own Bus up close to the border. Short disembarking, pee, souvenir shop aboard, again. A North Korean officer leadership to rise, our hands, and pushes off you go. We stopped at the signing of barracks and the officer gave a talk, which is translated by the interpreter, however, very bad. Then we go into the same blue hut (Rebellog link) in which we were already a few weeks ago . Mistaken, all over again, only on the other side. This time, North Koreans keep watch. Must be a good timing, and a good agreement between the two sides that mutual tourists never get to see. Now we go to the main building, enter, it is the building where I was photographing the soldiers and then Cropte the photos, the Internet and put it in and it goes up to the terrace. Everything goes to all this and more, much more relaxed than in the south. We can take pictures of what we want, even the building on the south side of what we had been banned there. And of course, the 170m high mast flag of the North Koreans and the village at his feet. The Americans were forbidden to ostensibly because the North Koreans do not want it. I doubt now that representation. Anyway, I take pictures of him and no one takes offense at my tube. It is not clear whether the village is inhabited or not. Both sides claim the opposite. Supposedly it should be a North Korean Potemkin. But where dan live the farmers cut the rice?
Then it's back. We see no mine warning signs. Apparently the South Koreans, or its American partner, also a little paranoid, certainly from experience, but still. That's what happens when one is facing decades unforgiving. When we returned from the Border plants are out, we may take pictures of the commanding officer. But, with our children, all very relaxed. He asks us from our visit to the south, we willingly give information. As if not all knew already. Yes, he is one hundred fifty percent, or he would not be used here. And so cute and he smiles so much charm he has, and must determine his handshake in parting is: We are aware that we were not tourists, but perhaps agitating or spying enemy he might be otherwise. But are we do not. And the military and border stops the fun in all countries of the world. But this time the North Koreans are good psychologists: The relaxed atmosphere is the least pleasant visitors in memory and thus make the obligatory visit bearable.
Now it goes to lunch in the city of Kaesong. Kaesong is the fifth largest city in North Korea with 340 000 inhabitants. Lunch is typically Korean and everything is served in small brass bowls. In addition there was a hot soup, which was boiled until the table. Thus fortified, it continues:
In the Northeast, two miles outside the city, is the complex of Sŏnggyungwan Academy (in this function from 1089), in which he has since 1987, the Koryo Museum over the period of Goryeo Kingdom. In the surrounding park several old stone monuments from various temples in the country were established.
In the garden we also taste the fruits of Ginkobaumes, roasted fresh. Once again, 3km further we visit the grave of Wang Geon, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty. The mausoleum is a place embedded in a charming landscape with two unobtrusive grave mounds, including stone statues.
There is a sad story: Wang Geon was looking for a grave space for his wife and for himself. He asked the shaman to find a suitable place and promises him a lot of money. The shaman finds this place, here, the king wants to check what the opposite hill and climb up. If he swings a white Tuchner, he likes the place and not the vizier to knock off the shaman's head. strained by the rise but the king wiped with a white towel the sweat from his forehead. The vizier in the valley holds the prearranged signal for the decapitated and the Shaman. In the valleys of the king learns what happened and, although he has saved the reward, he is very sad.
Me too. But the scenery is beautiful, the grave mound of the king and his wife are in place in the landscape. They want to be buried. Thanks to the shaman. Disaster for the Japanese, who plundered the grave. We go back to the car and drive home to Pyongyang. Again I have the opportunity to make photos. By humans. All doze.
But the day is not over yet, now it goes to the Golden Lane Bowling Centre. This has also Kim Il-sung already visited. Des is no different from our bowling centers, just as clean and perfect, yet the mood is different. Why? There are only a few people here. About 3 tracks are occupied, the others are about 17 free. We can not persuade our guides to play with us, so we play a game alone. For me find the way, only with difficulty, great shoes, but they are found. The balls are quite heavy, and although it was only one round, the next day the muscles. We are just out of practice concerning such Sporarten. The last game was 2 years ago in Canada.
Dinner in a restaurant follows. For the first time our companions to eat with us. It is a lively atmosphere and we are inclined to laugh when they raise me as "capitalists". One of the questions I remember: How many lights we have in one room? I answer truthfully, 7-8. The man nearly falls off his chair. For what? One, I say, on the ceiling, one next to the couch, then some spot from the wall of books, then in the reading corner, next to the fireplace, and so on. So again: Capitalist! Sure, here in Pyongyang and in the villages, you see when you look in the windows at night, only one cold-light fluorescent bulb. Very cozy. But since we do so also through the Open.
The food is great, we drink rice wine, and eventually it goes back to the hotel drunk. After all, he comes tomorrow ...
the 5th ... Tag!
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