loongstoryshort

I flipflopped on this before going too. The only thing I am legitimizing is the support for NK to open up to the rest of the world, and allowing foreign runners to go in and see it on their own accord was truly a step in that direction. When the race started we ran around the stadium with 50,000 cheering Pyongyang citizens clapping away. I hope NK gov't will bring more of this international perspective to their citizens.

What's more is seeing all the smiling races on the children along the run, looking at us for hope and smiles!

Ha! Surprisingly his presence is actual minimal either than front-covering newspapers and various TV news. For the most part he is not seen anywhere, unlike the other two leaders before him whose portraits are decorated on every public building and structure. So no he didn't even show up for the race!

If I had to summarize it in one sentence, Pyonging is like Beijing in the 1950s stuck in a time warp.

I was there for full week. The marathon was on the Sunday, followed by Kim Il Sung's birthday commemoration on the Tuesday. It was truly an unusual week to visit DPRK. Fav part is running into the stadium for the opening ceremonies to a stadium packed full of 50,000 citizens. Least favorite was seeing soldiers waving kids off away from us with a handgun in hand.

I was so surprised at the food options. Though I am sure we were served way more elaborate meals than the average locals, but the food was not at all as blend as I thought. Funny enough lots of fried chicken, noodle soups and kimchi of course. My fav dishes were duck bbq and bimbimbap!

Don't have a favorite given my personal opinion on their policies and treatment of their citizens. But I was surprised to learn that Kim Il Sung overshadows the other two leaders. Every milestone and monument ties back to him entirely. Even though Kim Jong Il is painted as such a distinct figure across international press in recent history, Kim Il Sung's legacy dwarfs over his son's. For starter Kim Il Sung is the eternal president, Kim Jong Il is the eternal general, and Kim Jong Un is only the marshall.