Travel notes from North Korea.
We stopped in a Buddhist temple. He was under the protection of UNESCO. Only a few of them in the DPRK. The leaders were smart enough not to destroy them. Officially North Korea is a country of atheists. But in Buddha the people still believe. Quietly at home in the kitchen.
Here is not felt that North Korea is the epicenter of world politics. TV – movie, radio Patriotic music. Newspapers, as I said, in the subway. Only the official position of the authorities on topical issues. There is a magazine in Russian, English and Chinese. For the foreign audience.
Learned how to train dogs. It is desirable to take the urban home and rural. Their specially fattened.
Breed doesn’t matter. The main thing that fatter. After slaughter, the carcass is soaked for 12 hours. The meat is then boiled for two hours and served with broth, noodles and egg. From dog fat is a seasoning with spices and garlic. I especially love the Koreans sobachatina in hot weather. Based on the fact that dog fat does not freeze even in cold water. Especially dogs like men.
The main Shrine – the Palace of the Sun. The mausoleum in which lie the embalmed bodies of Chiefs. Visit the Pantheon – the most important event in the life of North Koreans. As Hajj for Muslims. The ashes of the pilots is two identical huge rooms on different floors. In the dim red light there are two small calf.
In 2013 opened the first in North Korea ski resort. The scale of the buildings is impressive. The Alpine style. Should probably remind you of the Great Marshal Kim Jong Ynu Switzerland, where he studied. Tourists of course not. The explanation is simple – it’s not the season.
That the Grand Marshal was studying in Switzerland, officially never reported. But the rumor is that in North Korea go.
Before the eyes came to life a postcard from the Soviet past. Saw the bus 50 years. With a sloping roof at the back and round headlights. Here are still running. Along with modern Chinese – simple as doors, but a new one.
The information that the DPRK is allowed to carry a certain amount of hair – myth. But some limitations are still there. Men do not wear long hair. Schoolgirls and students – only four of a kind. The older girl – ponytail. Really have women – short hair like men.
Most goes to work on foot. Perhaps this is due to the almost complete lack of private vehicles. Although urban transport in Pyongyang over the Great Marshal Kim Jong-UN introduces “atmosphere sports”. The day commanded to pass 10 thousand steps.
Personal vehicle is a privilege that must be earned. Most auto – Soviet and Chinese. But there are new versions of the top brands. Q7, Range Rover, Land Cruiser 300, Volvo CX90. Have listed only those that I saw in new bodies. Judging by the black numbers and move them security forces.
There is something to see in the mountains. Here they are wooded, with lots of rivers and beautiful waterfalls. Given the almost complete lack of tourists, feeling like were on a desert island.
Passing the East sea. On the opposite Bank of Japan. The coastline is fenced with barbed wire under the electricity. And then you realize that you are not just on the island, and the island-prison…
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6 am – tone. The country is waking up and going to work. Workers escorted to the service women with red flags in green suits. As we have explained, is unemployed. They smile and wave in solidarity with the workers at exactly 07:30.
Coffee – deficit. The staff at the hotel for a fee and mostly soluble. Milk only dry.
In North Korea there’s no milk. Like almost no meat. Locals categorically do not eat. With the exception of the advanced layers of the population. For visiting tourists also find. This is due to the fact that essentially no livestock.
The terrain is mountainous. Every suitable piece of land to plant rice, corn, or wheat.
Dogs rarely eat. Claim that farms for cultivation for culinary purposes, does not exist. But then I found out that spetspitanie is still there. Tourists sobachatiny not offer. And did not raise the topic. Local seasoning to taste like in the Chinese restaurants. The existence of “Korean carrots” in Korea itself does not know. Here pickled cabbage – kimchi.
In Planjane a few shops with a decent range. Especially for foreigners and the secured party component. Local SN they can go on the tour. On a direct question to the Koreans, what your salary is, it sounded a: I don’t understand the question.
Were brought to the village where was born Kim Il sung. An important ritual. Here you will be shown a clay hut with a thatched roof. And tell how a Great Leader at the age of 11 he started a revolution. Childhood “Rising Sun” replaced the liberation struggle. A description of the stages of becoming the Father of the Nation resembles the life of the saints. Attitude to Kim Il-sung in North Korea as the Messiah.
About the Juche idea. Many of you probably heard about them, but few people know the essence. I the educational program. Juche – old Korean philosophy. Its essence that man is the Creator of your destiny. The center of the universe, able to control destiny. Kim Il sung flavored sauce the doctrine of communism. He wanted to get away from Marxist-Leninist and Chinese doctrines. And thought of Juche.
The Juche is the Korean nature of atheism. Communist leaders replaced God. In the teachings it is said – “it is naive to believe that with this development of science and technology, someone decides everything, sitting in heaven.” Before that, Koreans were Buddhists.
The Juche idea is implemented using the Songun policy, invented by the great helmsman. Essence – all you need to achieve, relying on our own strength. Don’t wait for help and be willing to endure hardship. Songun is a guide to action in all spheres of life. Regarding military issues, they say – does not exist separately of the people and the army. There are one – armed people. The streets of Pyongyang to prove it.
North Korea has one of the largest regular armies. 3 million bayonets. With a population of 28 million.
Thus have never seen movement of military equipment. Maybe it happens at night or on private roads. But the infantry just darkness. Military camps at every step. The military live in squalid mud huts barracks. To remove them is prohibited. Seats are built the towns of a new type, reminiscent of the Soviet.
In the Center of science and technology at the center of the building is a ballistic missile. Third. Successfully struck on the teachings of an imaginary goal. Deadly core of worship, like the ancient falseoverskin statues.
Koreans are dreaming that the rocket finally flew over the ocean and destroyed the arch-enemy.
With all the Korean atheism, Pyongyang has an Orthodox Church. Of course the Moscow Patriarchate. Which title father Fyodor, did not ask. While it is clear that he is not just the Church. To build the temple was decided that after Putin’s meeting with the Great Leader Kim Jong Il. On weekends, the temple comes up to 100 people. Mostly all of the Russian Embassy.
Went to the circus. In North Korea magnificent acrobats. Demonstrate the wonders of owning a body. It is a pity to shoot them and photograph is strictly prohibited. The world would have admired.
Pyongyang has a subway. 26 km, 7 stops, two branches. Deep pompous station in the style of Kiev “Golden Gate”. In the carriages, the portraits of the Leaders.
News people know from the Newspapers. They are on benches in subway stations. Electronic newspaper of the North Korean – photographed newspaper and later read from a smartphone screen.
Every hour at the Central station plays a Requiem. Day and night. And it will be forever. The fact is that comrade Kim Jong Il died on a train. In his special wagon, donated by Stalin. Passing the station during the mournful music, it is desirable to cry.
Roman BOCHKALA
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