My Trip to North Korea

Ok, so I didn't actually go to North Korea, but I got pretty close! Last Friday, I went to a North Korean restaurant, as in it is literally run by the North Korean government. I had a bit of a moral dilemma going there because that means I am supporting the North Korean government, but I like to think of it as helping feed the starving North Korean babies (although as another friend pointed out, maybe the food we were eating is 1) from US food aid or 2) taking away food from the north korean people, yikes either way.). The food was mediocre in my opinion, kinda bland. It's basically the same as South Korean food, but not as good.

The best part was the experience itself. In order to show how North Korea is the most cultured country in the world, there did a lot of cultural performances for us. There weren't many other people there, except for a table of North Korean businessmen. We knew they were North Korean because they had their "dear leader"  pins on (they're required to wear them all the time, or else their "loyalty" is questioned and maybe be harassed or arrested). Then they performed for us (see below). Definitely my favorite part of the night was when these two customers got up and started singing. They were really into their songs and started clapping along and so we joined in. Towards the end of the song, we realized that the song was all about fighting the american imperialists, and "down with the americans!" so that was awkward, hahaha. But hilarious. Sophie also got serenaded by one of the guys so that was pretty funny. 

At the end of the dinner, we asked them a few questions about their lives. So apparently only the prettiest girls are chosen to do this because they want to show the world how beautiful their women are. They train for years to work in the restaurant, and only get to come for 3 years. After that they go home or go to another restaurant. They have restaurants in Indonesia, China, and Russia (I think Russia, I can't remember the 3rd one). They are not allowed to watch or read anything from the western world. They all live together. They do get time off. They have no option to stay in China, and cannot marry a non-North Korean.

This wasn't part of the discussion cuz they would probably get in big trouble, but my understanding is that North Koreans are taught that Americans are extremely violent, eat their babies, and would immediately kill any North Koreans that they come in touch with so there's no point to run away to the Americans. Very crazy. Yet, they still want us to come to their restaurant and show us how great they are.

Overall, very cool experience. Afterwards we went to a Japanese bar, but accidentally went to a call girl "bar" first. Awkward.