davywavy: (Default)
davywavy ([personal profile] davywavy) wrote2004-03-10 04:05 pm

A holiday in Cambodia

Or, almost, anyway...

The more I think about it, the more I'm tempted by a holiday in North Korea. Apparently yhey have lovely, unspoiled, beaches there (they're owned by the people, you see, so only senior governmental and military figures are allowed to use them), and also the North Korean Clang (what do they call their currency? The Boing? The Bleep? Oh, yes, the Dong.*) is pretty worthless at the moment so if there happened to be anything in the shops whilst I was there, then I could buy it. Assuming I wasn't shot for trying to own something. And that [livejournal.com profile] kim_jong_il__ sounds a jolly nice chap.

Seriously, however, the thought of actually going to see this crackpot nation before it implodes really intrigues me. It is possible to get Visas and go there on holiday (Fielding Guides, aren't they great?) and it is, apparently, a completely surreal place.
The other side of my interest is the thought that I'd be giving money to one of the worlds very worst regimes, and treating the suffering of millions in a totalitarian regime as something of a sideshow.
I can't deny the fascination; but would going there just be an updated version of the travelling freakshows of the American West? "Roll up and see the ultimate expression of totalitarian Marxism! Only a dollar!"? The idea certainly leads me questioning my own motivations.

Perhaps next year, then. I hear Zimbabwe is lovely these days.

* If they didn't want me mocking their currency, then they shouldn't have named it after a clown noise.

Re: Zim

[identity profile] davywavy.livejournal.com 2004-03-10 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
The ironic undercurrent was that I'm as likely to give Mugabe my hard earned as I am the Dear Leader....vermin, the pair of them.
Shame, because I hear that the countries are really picturesque and I like such places. In reality, if I get a holiday this year, it's probably gonna be Greece or Mexico again.

Re: Zim

[identity profile] puddingcat.livejournal.com 2004-03-10 09:27 am (UTC)(link)
If you go to Greece, I'll tag along.

If you go to Mexico, you get a Free Week Pass*.

(*standard terms & conditions apply)

Re: Zim

[identity profile] davywavy.livejournal.com 2004-03-11 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
Wouldn't you want to go to Mexico? It's great.

Re: Zim

[identity profile] puddingcat.livejournal.com 2004-03-11 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
It's the old bullfighting thing again, sadly. Unless there are any county / state equivalents which have had the sense & decency to ban it, that is.

Being rather impoverished myself, I don't mind which you pick :)