Friday, November 23, 2007

Oh, Herro Hans!

I have to admit that for the past couple of days I’ve really been thinking about possibly going to North Korea for a short trip.  Since we have no diplomatic ties with Lil’ Kim’s regime you can’t get an entry visa within the United States.  There is, however, a North Korean embassy here in Beijing, and one can be obtained there.  Of course, just like most things in this part of the world, the best way to do it is to hire someone to do it for you, and there are companies here which can arrange tour packages and handle the visas. 

You’re followed by a minder who tells you what you are and are not permitted to see, who you are and are not permitted to talk to, what you are and are not permitted to ask, and so on.  Regardless, I can honestly say that if I could visit anywhere on the planet right now it would be Pyongyang.  North Korea is the last true Stalinist dictatorship on earth, and I think it would be a fascinating experience to see that firsthand, to see the Kims worshipped like gods.  Eventually, like China and Cuba and Vietnam and the USSR, the totalitarian dictatorships will give way to some form of “friendly” communism.  To me, that’s boring.  I want to go when it’s not friendly, when doing so would be something significant.  Going to the USSR during the height of the Cold War would have been significant.  Going to Russia today is about as edgy as going to Hawaii. 

Honestly, I’d be really surprised if in 2008 I didn’t take a trip to visit Pyongyang.  What an adventure that would be.

And you know damn well I’d have Team America on my iPod.