Koreas part 1 - sooo much different
North Korea Day 1: Arrival in North Korea and Exploring Pyongyang After months of anticipation, I finally set foot in North Korea, a land shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Upon arrival at Pyongyang International Airport, I was greeted by my tour guide, Mr. Kim, who would be my companion throughout this extraordinary journey. We embarked on a bus ride into the heart of Pyongyang, the capital city. Our first stop was the Mansudae Grand Monument, a symbol of the nation's leadership and the famous bronze statues of the country's leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. It was a surreal experience to witness the locals paying their respects with utmost reverence. From there, we moved on to the sprawling Kim Il-sung Square, an impressive public plaza where mass gatherings and parades are held. For lunch, Mr. Kim took me to a local restaurant that offered traditional North Korean cuisine. I tried the iconic Pyongyang cold noodles, known as naengmyeon, which were refreshing and delightfu