We left the hotel at 18.15 hours this morning without having breakfast and being told that we would be out most of the day with the temperature starting at –9C in the morning. The first stop was near the railway station to look at the passing vehicles - trolley buses, trams, different kinds of buses, taxis, bicycles and cars - somewhat normal for any city. Trolley buses had stars painted on the sides, one star indicating that it had been driven 50,000 kilometres without an accident. One very old tram had 166 stars on the sides equivalent to having been driven 8,300,000 kilometres. Cars were rarely privately owned unless given as a prize to someone who had done something special for the country. Other cars were owned by the State or businesses. Taxis were donations from China.
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| A modern trolley bus |
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| Old and new |
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| Ladies at the street stall |
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| The old trolley bus with stars |
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| With donut |
The guides bought us donuts from the street stall as they smelt (and tasted) good while we waited for the trolley bus.
The very old trolley bus had been taken out of the museum especially for us to see and then we were take for a ride to be dropped off at one of the metro stations.
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| Metro train |
Then there was a ride on the Metro, costing 5 won (less than 1p as far as I can figure out) which included the Rehabilitation and Glory Stations.
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| Inside the metro train |
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| Yonggwang Station |
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| Add caption |
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| Platform controller |
A very large Juche Tower Hotel was pointed out to us with the remark that the outside of the hotel had been completed but there was nothing inside the 105 floors.
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| Ryugyong Hotel |
Then it was a drive/wander round the city to various sites.
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| Model City |
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| Monument to Party Founding |
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| Flags seen on many streets |
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| Sci-Fi Architecture |
Some of us bought flowers to lay at bronze statues of the Kims similar to that which the local people were doing. It seemed that this was appreciated by our guides and by the local people who were there at the same time. Before going out this morning we were told not to wear a coat with any markings on it and while at the statues we were told not to have our hands in our pockets, not to carry any bags or hats and sunglasses were to not be worn.
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| Father and Grandfather |
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| Monument to Kim Il-Sung and Kim jong-Il |
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| Wedding party at the monument |
In the afternoon we were left to wander round a flower exhibition, the flowers mainly being begonias, the flower being named for the leader Kim Jong-il. ‘’The exhibition of Kimjongilia flowers is yet another testament to the unlimited love and devotion of the Korean people to the great leader of the entire nation, Comrade Kim Jong-il.’’ as I found on-line. One display was arranged to look like the Sacred Mountain where Kim Jong-il was said to have been born (actually born in Siberia) but the show did actually commemorate the date of his actual birthday. Another display was of Mount Paektu, the most beautiful mountain in Korea located on the border between North Korea and China.
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| People did not mind having their photo taken |
As far as I could find out there was no privately owned housing, it being owned by the government, universities or private business. Prior to being married people had to live with their parents and on marrying request accommodation from the state. Wives were not allowed to work with their husbands and when pregnant the wife was allowed three months off work before the birth and one year afterwards and then the wife could decide if she wanted to return to work. Apparently there are still some arranged marriages in North Korea but couples are allowed to chose their partner if the parents agree.
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| Mass Dancing |
The day was not finished yet as the next stop was at a scene of massed dancing in the street. Groups of people could be seen walking to a square where music equipment was set up. The women were all in traditional dress, somewhat spoilt as, with it being so cold, they all had to wear a coat which covered the very colourful dresses. Although the dancing was in male/female pairs people did turn up without partners and paired off to dance so I was told.
Early evening we were taken to a supermarket and allowed to wander freely. There was a food section, clothes and household goods and I noticed that one part had an IKEA selections of things, something I did not expect to see. I did not buy anything but others who did had to change their foreign money with the cashier, get a chit for what they wanted, take the chit to the cashier for stamping and when finished shopping they were given their change in foreign currency as foreigners were not allowed to have any won at all. Any personal bags were locked inside a supermarket bag, carried around and then unlocked and the personal bag handed back to the owner on leaving.
It was then time for dinner before a trip to a local bar.
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| Lunch |
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| Dinner |
