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| From telegraph.co.uk |
The Ottawa Citizen has a piece by lawyer Paul Beaudry about his visit North Korea as a tourist.
On April 30, 2011, I boarded an old Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft at the Beijing Airport. I nervously took my seat, knowing I was embarking on a flight operated by one of the world's most poorly rated airlines.
The reason for Beaudry's visit was curiosity, which presumably is a common enough motive for visiting the place. However he came to regret his choice of holiday destination :-
When I decided to travel to North Korea, I was exhilarated by the idea of going off the beaten path and visiting a country mostly devoid of western influence. However, I now realize that my decision to visit was profoundly wrong-headed and helped sustain one of the most murderous regimes in modern history. I urge you not to make the same mistake I did.
When I decided to travel to North Korea, I was exhilarated by the idea of going off the beaten path and visiting a country mostly devoid of western influence. However, I now realize that my decision to visit was profoundly wrong-headed and helped sustain one of the most murderous regimes in modern history. I urge you not to make the same mistake I did.
It is highly unlikely that I would ever see North Korea as a holiday destination, but I see why Beaudry went because curiosity would be my motive too. However, I'm sure his final sentence is good advice.
6 comments:
I used European Uncommunity today. In the picture, is what the man is saying to the Leader, "No it doesn't make pizzas" ?
That picture is genuinely scary. The great leader handling the weapon with a bizarre mixture of emotions: it looks as if its appearance has jolted him out of a bored reverie, but underneath the jowls he clearly doesn't give a toss about what it does to people. He's just a hillbilly who got lucky, isn't he?
Meanwhile, the military expert gestures with what could be enthusiasm, or could be a warning. Everyone else is stony-faced and inscrutable.
A picture to destroy your faith in humanity.
Don't think I'll be going there any time soon.
Demetrius - or maybe he's saying "you don't need this just to order a pizza".
Sam - I agree, it is remarkably scary. He looks like a gang boss's brat who, as you say, just got lucky.
James - I think I'll stay away too, not my cup of tea at all.
"curiosity would be my motive too"
Have a care, AK, curiosity killed the cat!
David - my curiosity isn't that that strong!
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