These aren't my pictures obviously...but check it out

It's definitely a place I would love to live, be imprisoned, and forced to love my leader.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82755

It looks like something out of a frightening futuristic film! Then, when I think of a country like that as a nuclear power -- <<shudder>>

Rob notice that there is an elecric fence all along the beach so that no one can escape.

Rob notice that there is an elecric fence all along the beach so that no one can escape.

No kidding! I thought that was to keep out illegal immigrants who might want to come there to take advantage of the fabulous economy and quality of life! :wink:

unbelievable. i just followed along slack jawed. one positive (besides the cool fancy nk metro station) were the good pickings for some new screen savers. heh!

 

thx for the find david.

I'll be visiting in October if all goes well.  Yes, I am serious.

^PLEASSE take tons of pictures and post them! That would be amazing. How are you able to go? I was under the impression Americans particularly are not allowed in.

For a limited time this summer/fall American tourists are allowed in.  You must book with an approved DPRK tour company.  You must also figure out a way to get to Beijing as that's where you must leave from to enter North Korea. 

 

I am working with these folks: http://www.koryogroup.com/tours/index-us.html

 

I fully expect it to be a depressing/surreal/weird experience and am really looking forward to it.  Hopefully they won't launch any missiles between now and then, or that may hurt my chances... we'll see.

 

I'll take as many pictures as I can... without trying to get my government minders into trouble.  What I've heard is that they get into more trouble than you if you do something against the rules.  I'd hate to be the one responsible for getting someone into trouble - I'm sure they already have a difficult enough time as it is...

 

This is the planned itinerary:

 

Sat  JS152 Flight Beijing-Pyongyang 11:30 departure, 14:25 arrival.  Customs at Pyongyang airport, meet guides, transfer to Yanggakdo Hotel. Check in hotel. Mansudae Grand Monument, Arch of Triumph, Fountain Park, MASS GAMES

 

Sun City tour of Pyongyang, including Mangyongdae Native House, Juche Tower, Monument to Party Foundation, War Victory Monuments, Pyongyang Metro Grand People's Study House,

Pyongyang film studios,

Coach to Mount Myohyang, overnight in Mount Myohyang

 

Mon International Friendship Exhibition (Hall of gifts to DPRK's leaders), Buddhist temple Coach return to Pyongyang, Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (Korean War Museum), USS Pueblo, optional second MASS GAMES

 

Tues Coach to Kaesong, Panmunjom/DMZ, Kaesong Koryo Museum Concrete Wall, return to Pyongyang, Schoolchildren's Palace performance, walk in the city

 

Wed Depart Pyongyang by train departure at 10:10 to airport

That's going to be a crazy experience!

I saw a story, I think in print, last year about travelers who were trying to visit every country in the world (versus me and my quest for every county in the US) and that one or two of them had received clearance to go to North Korea.  Evidently, they do allow for a handful of "outsiders" to come visit, obviously for promotional reasons (see, they aren't as bad as the west makes them out to be  :-P).  But they do put plenty of restrictions as to movement (don't expect to see the DMZ), who you can associate with (your guides will tell you who is approcable), and phototaking. 

So beware, you might not be able to photograph as much as you would like.  :oops:

I've done a lot of reasearch, so I fully plan on not photographing much in the way of normal NK life.  They like you to take photos of monuments and so on - anything that they *think* makes them look good to the outside world. 

 

Strangely enough, the DMZ is part of the tour (see Tues).

David;

Thanks that was totally fascinating.  You can feel the oppressive hand of dear leader in each photo, but there is a certain attractiveness to the quiet simple streets.

My friend just told me Americans can get Visas to go to NK and even start certain types of businesses there for tasks NK cannot do. There is also a section experimenting with capitalism...

North Korea is testing a missile over Pacific Ocean and may reach Western United States and Rice told them if that happens they will suffer consequences :( I'm scared...I don't want to get drafted.

Nobody is being drafted...

 

...yet.

Their stupid missile better not screw up my vacation!

What you need to do is to bring a low-key camera.  One that would not pass off as a camera (sort of like a camera phone, even though you cant bring a phone in but something like that).  That a way you could continue on your tour and take tons o' pictures without being noticed/scolded.

Why not just go somewhere you haven't been in the free world and spend your money there?

 

Good question.  In all seriousness, I have wrestled with the fact that the N. Korean government will end up with some of my hard earned cash spent on this trip.  However, I feel that being there and sharing with the people/tour guides my experiences as an American citizen outweigh any damage my monetary contribution may cause.  They need exposure to the outside world to realize what they are missing.  Just to make it clear: I do not support the N. Korean government. 

 

As far as why I personally want to go?  Just due to the sheer oddity and surrealness of the whole place.  It's safe to say I'll never see anythign else like it.  It's almost completely isolated, therefore, I must go.

What you need to do is to bring a low-key camera.  One that would not pass off as a camera (sort of like a camera phone, even though you cant bring a phone in but something like that).  That a way you could continue on your tour and take tons o' pictures without being noticed/scolded.

 

I have a small camera I'm planning on bringing.  Also, I have a macbook which has a built-in camera.  If they allow me to bring my laptop into the country (something I need to check on), my hope is I can take some short movies while pretending to write my travel log (the other reason I wish to bring it).

Why not just go somewhere you haven't been in the free world and spend your money there?

 

Isn't "Free" World and money an oxymoron?

Free markets :)

Why not just go somewhere you haven't been in the free world and spend your money there?

 

Good question.  In all seriousness, I have wrestled with the fact that the N. Korean government will end up with some of my hard earned cash spent on this trip.  However, I feel that being there and sharing with the people/tour guides my experiences as an American citizen outweigh any damage my monetary contribution may cause.  They need exposure to the outside world to realize what they are missing.  Just to make it clear: I do not support the N. Korean government. 

 

As far as why I personally want to go?  Just due to the sheer oddity and surrealness of the whole place.  It's safe to say I'll never see anythign else like it.  It's almost completely isolated, therefore, I must go.

 

this is the same issue people have with going to cuba. it comes down to you have to make up your own mind. bottom line is i don't think a few usa travelers make much of a dent in a dictator's regime one way or the other.

 

mark i share and commend your quest for off the beaten path experiences. in fact i am in awe of your damn cool choice, i would have never even thought to go there, even tho for one thing i love korean food - ha! i just hope you bring several cameras as backups -- we need forum pics.

 

 

 

Mark are you still going to Pyongyang?! Have recent U.N. sanctions on NK effected your ability to go?