You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
April 18th 2006
Published: April 19th 2006
Published: April 19th 2006
This past weekend, I had an opportunity to go to North Korea. The only way anyone is allowed across the boarder is through the Hyundai Tour to Kumgangsan. Kumgangsan is a mountain (san=mountain) that is said to be one of the most beautiful places in all of Korea. The trip was originally designed for students who were in the North and South Korean Conflict class, but it was opened up to all interna... Read Full Entry
As of now, I am living and working in Anchorage, Alaska. Here I hope to experience as much of the state as possible.
Why Alaska? Maybe because it is the Last Frontier, the state least touched by man. Possibly it is because of my over all curiosity and unexplained desire to explore this unique place. Perhaps it was simply due time for another drastic change or maybe I needed to distance myself from the person I was so I could rediscover who I am on my own. There are many possibilities.
For those of you who followed my trips throughout Southeast Asia, these blogs may show a different pic... full info
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On top
This is a picture of me after we made it up to the highest point of the mountain.
Full Bus
There were 44 of us packed into the bus.
East Coast
View from the South Korean shore on the drive North
Kim Il Sung
This is one of the huge pictures that can be seen from the villages (sorry for the bad quality...it was dark)
Hotel Haegumgang
This was the Five star Hotel/Cruise ship we stayed at.
The Lake
This was the veiw of the lake from the back of the ship
Kumgangsan
On the top...
North Korean Monk
Amidst the construction of this temple, chanting and prayers could still be heard.
Birthday Celebration
Here are two North Korean women dancing. If you look closely, you can see Jan and I in the background.
Chandelier
Thiw was in the Hotel where we celebrated.
Koraoke
This was when we started to get our party on.
The "Big Guys"
This is a classic picture of the leader of the communist party and the South Korean Hyundai director arm and arm as they sing for the crowd.
The North Korean Communist Party Leader of the Region and I celebrating Kim Il Sung's Birthday
Read all about it below...
"Cheers"
Alex and I cheering with our bottle of whisky, compliments of our hosts.
Oceanside
Utopian get away?
Lake/Hike
Looking over the lake once we got to the top.
N. Korean Village
This was as close to a Korean Village I could get (picture wise).
At Kumgangsan
Mary overlooking the restaurant at the foor of the mountains
Kumgangsan
Here is one of the writtings in Korean Red text that we saw all through out the trail. This was actually the first one.
Kumgangsan
Writing on the side of a cliff.
Comment on You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Comments
Date: 18th April 2006
Your blog is amazing. I was going to write on your last blog and tell you that you were a slacker because you hadn't posted in a while, but I guess you made up for it with today's book. You keep partying with the diplomats. See ya soon, lover. Christin
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Your blog is amazing. I was going to write on your last blog and tell you that you were a slacker because you hadn't posted in a while, but I guess you made up for it with today's book. You keep partying with the diplomats. See ya soon, lover. Christin
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 18th April 2006
:D :D
i just read your entry... and im jealous. but what can i do? You always get to do all the fun and interesting stuff. I cant wait for you to call me.. and i love you and am glad you are experiencing so much. So did you get away with any of that sand? love jen
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
:D :D
i just read your entry... and im jealous. but what can i do? You always get to do all the fun and interesting stuff. I cant wait for you to call me.. and i love you and am glad you are experiencing so much. So did you get away with any of that sand? love jen
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 18th April 2006
keep up the good work
rebekah--it's amazing that you are able to document everything in such great detail. i can tell you are growing as a person. keep up the good work! i'm proud of you... peace, jason
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
keep up the good work
rebekah--it's amazing that you are able to document everything in such great detail. i can tell you are growing as a person. keep up the good work! i'm proud of you... peace, jason
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 19th April 2006
crzymofo
REBEKAH!!!! you're a wild woman...my favorite part is the korean soldier hitting on you...:) luv srh
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
crzymofo
REBEKAH!!!! you're a wild woman...my favorite part is the korean soldier hitting on you...:) luv srh
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 19th April 2006
Bekah is so pretty
Hey there! ya know I just now checked my xanga site?! two months later. oh well. I'm so glad you are having a good time! I miss you bunches my dear. one of these days you'll have to "weekend gettaway" up to nor-cal and see me and mine. call me sometime if you can so I can feel special. Love and hugs, Hav
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Bekah is so pretty
Hey there! ya know I just now checked my xanga site?! two months later. oh well. I'm so glad you are having a good time! I miss you bunches my dear. one of these days you'll have to "weekend gettaway" up to nor-cal and see me and mine. call me sometime if you can so I can feel special. Love and hugs, Hav
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 20th April 2006
wow wow wow
what an amazing experience. that is defintally a story to remember. I always enjoy reading your adventures and living vicariously through your stories. keep it up
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
wow wow wow
what an amazing experience. that is defintally a story to remember. I always enjoy reading your adventures and living vicariously through your stories. keep it up
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 22nd April 2006
crazy!
it's crazy thinking you are around the world at this very moment....i love you and hope you're storing up piles of memorable moments to share when you get back. i want to hear every one of them! ;) loveyou, kid!!!! ~Lydia
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
crazy!
it's crazy thinking you are around the world at this very moment....i love you and hope you're storing up piles of memorable moments to share when you get back. i want to hear every one of them! ;) loveyou, kid!!!! ~Lydia
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 23rd April 2006
incredible
Rebekah, pretty sure you have captured moments that very very few people in the world will ever have the privilege to experience. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been continually impressed and excited to see where your journey in Korea leads you next.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
incredible
Rebekah, pretty sure you have captured moments that very very few people in the world will ever have the privilege to experience. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been continually impressed and excited to see where your journey in Korea leads you next.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 11th July 2006
This is funny..we have the same pics
I was taking a look at your blog after I posted mine and realized we have a lot of the same pictures..kind of interesting I thought. I think the hotel you had your party in was where we stayed. I didn't see the giant mural that you took a picture of. Kudos to being American and having been to the DPKR!!!!!
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
This is funny..we have the same pics
I was taking a look at your blog after I posted mine and realized we have a lot of the same pictures..kind of interesting I thought. I think the hotel you had your party in was where we stayed. I didn't see the giant mural that you took a picture of. Kudos to being American and having been to the DPKR!!!!!
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 21st November 2006
so cool
wow, that's such an amazing experience. It would be so interesting to actually go to North Korea, since we hear about it in the news so much but we don't really know a lot about it because it's so secretive. My guess is, however, that the North Koreans you were with weren't really your average North Koreans-- most things I've read have said they have people extensively trained under extremely strict rules to show tourists North Korea is a happy and prosperous country, and of course they can't talk about politics except to say they love their dear leader.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
so cool
wow, that's such an amazing experience. It would be so interesting to actually go to North Korea, since we hear about it in the news so much but we don't really know a lot about it because it's so secretive. My guess is, however, that the North Koreans you were with weren't really your average North Koreans-- most things I've read have said they have people extensively trained under extremely strict rules to show tourists North Korea is a happy and prosperous country, and of course they can't talk about politics except to say they love their dear leader.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 29th December 2006
Not the true picture
You didn't see the real North Korea. The North Korea where the Dictator decides who eats and who starves. Why could you not take pictures from the bus? Why were there guards with guns every 20 meters? Why was this 5 star hotel empty? Why could you not talk to the North Korean people? These people do not have freedom, and so many of them are starving. You met a few of the people of North Korea but you did not see the true picture. Freedom is for all, and is what our Creator intended. "Well they don't know what freedom means so they don't miss it". And you are ok with this. You say: "I am not saying that I support this particular system; I am simply putting forth an idea that could possibly lead to the better understanding of their perspective and condition. " Don't be naive. These people don't deserve to live under this cruel Dictator. I saw a documentary, where a man from South Korea smuggled in a camera and hid it in his coat and filmed what really goes on there. Look into the truth.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Not the true picture
You didn't see the real North Korea. The North Korea where the Dictator decides who eats and who starves. Why could you not take pictures from the bus? Why were there guards with guns every 20 meters? Why was this 5 star hotel empty? Why could you not talk to the North Korean people? These people do not have freedom, and so many of them are starving. You met a few of the people of North Korea but you did not see the true picture. Freedom is for all, and is what our Creator intended. "Well they don't know what freedom means so they don't miss it". And you are ok with this. You say: "I am not saying that I support this particular system; I am simply putting forth an idea that could possibly lead to the better understanding of their perspective and condition. " Don't be naive. These people don't deserve to live under this cruel Dictator. I saw a documentary, where a man from South Korea smuggled in a camera and hid it in his coat and filmed what really goes on there. Look into the truth.
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 4th January 2007
whaaatt!?
where the fk is it?? srh
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
whaaatt!?
where the fk is it?? srh
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Date: 5th April 2009
Fascinating
I throroughly enjoyed you account of your trip to North Korea. It was beautifully descriptive. I was googling North Korea today after I heard about N. Korea's recent satellite rocket launch when I happened to come upon your piece. It is very interesting !
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
Fascinating
I throroughly enjoyed you account of your trip to North Korea. It was beautifully descriptive. I was googling North Korea today after I heard about N. Korea's recent satellite rocket launch when I happened to come upon your piece. It is very interesting !
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!
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Burt
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memorable moments
Bekah, Thanks so much for including me in your memorable moments. It was wonderful to share in this experience of a lifetime. I send my best. Have a safe and wonderful trip full of such moments. Burt
From Blog: You know, Just Your Typical Weekend Getaway...to North Korea?!