Pyongyang - randomness

On our last day of this trip our first stop was the embroidery factory. Where they make embroidery. Yeah you're jealous. Anyway, they showed us two rooms - one had about eight women who do the machine embroidery, the other had five who do the hand embroidery. All well and good, although it seemed to be a few short for the amount of work they're supposed to be doing.


Here are two women creating an embroidered replica of this tiger painting. It's supposed to take a full year to complete.


Another street shot in Pyongyang. Bustling, isn't it? This is outside the Korean War Museum. The museum was pretty interesting. Inside they showed evidence of the American effort to take control of the entire Korean peninsula. Most of the documents were actually declarations to the South Koreans that they would continue to maintain their regular jobs and lives, and their property was safe. Very interesting opinions on the events of the Korean War.


Here is a letter written by a helicoptor pilot who was shot down over DPRK airspace in 1994. He had to write a confession indicating the crimes of the United States against the North before being released. It is now on the wall in the museum as evidence that the US is responsible for the Korean War. The year it was written again? Yes, 1994.





The Pyongyang skyline from the restaurant in the TV tower. Below you can see the arch, and to the right is what was meant to be the world's biggest hotel. 3000 rooms, 5 revolving restaurants, 105 floors. The money dried up in 1989 (coincidence?), and the crane has been sitting motionless at the top ever since. No glass in the windows, no finished exterior, and one can only imagine the bareness of the inside, since they won't take you near it. Why they needed 3000 more hotel rooms in this city is beyond me, as far fewer visitors than that are even allowed to visit each year.


After the TV tower we visited a fun fair. This might have been the most depressing 'fun' fair I've ever seen. Scratch that - it definitely was. They had about five rusty rides, and some very sketchy games. However, they insist that they receive 100,000 visitors every day on weekends.


The roller coaster. Once we were on it I was afraid it might be the worst (and last) mistake I'd ever make, because the creaking was unbelievable. It ended up being pretty fun, though. Once.


Look how happy all the people are! Go ahead, take a closer look.


This ride definitely wasn't even running. I feel as though that was for the best.


Fun fun games! You shoot these with a gun. Nice.


A nice version for the kids!


The birthplace of Kim Il Sung. We were told that he was born right here. In this stable. Very moving story, isn't it? And original.


Inside the stable area.


The Kim family's pots. The keep them to show the president's humble beginnings, and I am truly amazed that anyone could possibly use the one on the right. Good for them.


A map of the Pyongyang metro.


The escalator going down to the trains. There was much discussion about how far down we actually were - official answer: 250 metres. This is because it was designed to double as a bunker in the case of attack. Apparently doors will slam shut keeping people inside safe.


First station we saw.


Inside the train. What's missing.... ooohh... ADVERTISING!


The second station we saw.


During our last afternoon they took us to the Children's palace, a place where exceptionally gifted children are invited to study for free in music, dancing, and martial arts. This girl was in a class that was practicing the gayagum. This whole place was amazing. After showing us around we saw a performance of kids who were unbelievably talented. Definitely a highlight.


So instead of traffic lights, the DPRK has traffic ladies. These women are almost robotic in their movements, and stand in the middle of intersections directing cars all day. It was amazing to watch them.


My entry card when we crossed at Dandong. Had to keep this tucked away while there were still DPRK guards on the train.