Have a blast!!!
I was surprised to discover that there are actually commercial tours available to visit North Korea...the "garden spot" of Southeast Asia.
The picture above certainly looks inviting.
Tour companies offering N. Korea trips:
North Korea 1 on 1 Universal Travel System
It was also surprising to discover that the U.S. doesn't have a ban on such a visit, as it does in the case of Cuba. Apparently, in February of '95 the Department of the Treasury revised its regulations to allow Americans to go to North Korea and spend money. That last part is the difference between the two countries from the official perspective. The embargo against Cuba prevents U.S. nationals from contributing to the Cuban economy. There are ways around that, however; there usually are.
I'm guessing now might be the time to go, if one wishes to risk it. Before there's some type of nuclear "incident" over there.
I traveled to South Korea in '97 for job-related reasons. It didn't impress me (favorably) there; I'm sure that North Korea is really dismal, except for a few select places like the one shown above.
Naturally, any money that goes into Kim Jong Il's coffers will help support the Army, the joining of which is one of the few ways to guarantee you'll eat. At least occasionally.
Most N. Koreans don't get that opportunity:
I don't think I'll be going anytime soon...
posted by camojack | 09:34
16 Comments:
Oh what sad little faces!
Those proud children must be so fulfilled knowing their "Leader" has ensured that they will be protected by the vast Nuclear arsenal. Honestly its very sad. Where is the outcry from the Libs? If a child in America looked like that we would all be OUTRAGED.
I pray that there's an especially HOT place in Hell for a madman who lets little children go hungry...what sad little faces, indeed!
Fwiw, I don't think I'll be vacationing in NoKo anytime, soon. I prefer a more natural "glow."
Truly sad...truly.
The only thing that comes to mind with this is man and situation is HITLER. This isn't funny, not in the slightest.
Nylecoj:
Aren't they, though? That is their "Great" Leader's legacy.
Libby Gone™:
Excellent question...where is the outcry from the libs?
As usual, their rallying cry is "Blame Bush!"
darth_meister:
Wouldn't those be "free range" dogs, over there?
Socialist utopia, indeed.
'da Bunny:
There might be a very hot place right in North Korea soon, if they keep playing with nukes.
Beerme:
Absolutely.
Island Girl TLA:
It is said that comedy is born of tragedy; perhaps because if we didn't laugh, we'd cry...
The Unit used to go to Korea every year. In his current job though, he seems to be chained to his desk and it's driving him (and me) bananas - he loves to travel, though he gets tired of it pretty quickly once he's in the air :)
Cassandra:
Although there were annual exercises in Korea while I was stationed in Hawaii in the 80's, I only went there the one time after I got out, as a civilian contractor. Lots of rice paddies, with the accompanying stench of (largely human feces) fertilizer. The mountains looked nice, but most of the countryside that I saw consisted of those seemingly endless rice paddies. It would be great if North and South Korea could be reunified a la East und West Germany, but I don't see that happening whilst "Ill" Kim is in charge...
Those children have probably been eaten. Canibalism is alive and well in the DPRK. Only the military gets enough to eat. North Korean children are MREs: Meals Ready to Eat.
Nuclear weapons are worth all. Do North Koreans question the source of Soylent Green?
The trotting Possum:
While gruesome to contemplate, you may be right...since there's not much in the way of a belief system in that country to prevent it. Although in practical terms, it would hardly seem worth the effort, since those poor kids are scarcely more than skin and bones.
It's sad, in any case...
I recall reading somewhere a while back (how's that for a verifiable source?) that the North Koreans wait to bury their children/babies after dark, so the neighbors won't see where and come dig them up for tomorrow's dinner.
Heart breaking.
I thank God EVERY DAY that I was born in this country.
Yikes! Unfortunately there are children in this country that look like that. Far, far fewer no doubt but, have you visited Camden NJ recently? Just one example (of many) that are woefully lacking in basic human services. (yes, many of the "adults" involved in these towns bear a great deal of responsibilty for those conditions but not by any means all)
Good Lord! And still there are the deluded few who insist that Communism works. Gad! Those poor children.
I'd never go there, nor Cuba. What's the point?
Thanks, Camo. Good post. An eye-opener!
MargeinMI:
I can believe that, horrible as it is. Things really are that bad over there.
boberin:
For any children in this country looking like that, blame their parent(s). There's really no excuse for it.
benning:
Communism only works for the ones in charge; in pure communism, there wouldn't be any one person in charge.
My heart goes out to those kids, but any aid sent over there gets mis-spent on the military.
Maggie:
My father told me of starving children overseas when I didn't want the bread crusts on my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches once. I suggested sending them over there, then.
A regular smart a...lec, I was.
(Am)
Where's my blog? What's gone wrong here?
No amount of obscenity and cursing will bring back two years of social commentary. I expect to be leaving Blogger™ for good in the near future. Establishing a new site, with all the links, isn't worth the game. I tried; sex with horses, and you Bloggers know what you rode in on. Figure it out.
Over and out.
Possumtrot:
Your original blog is HERE, ol' buddy, just like always...
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