So, the plan for this weekend is a much-anticipated trip up to Dandong. I know, it’s a dull city, and every westerner heads there for the same reason: It’s right next to North Korea. I’d like to say I have a more profound, complex or just plain original reason to go, but let’s stop kidding ourselves.

I want to see North Korea while it still exists.

I’m not pointing any fingers here, but really, how long is this country going to last with nukes? Somebody (the US, Japan, China, the DPRK itself) is going to slip one day and just blow the whole place to hell. Personally, I’d like to see it as the pile of rubble it is now, not the pile of rubble it will be then.

I asked my students today what I ought to bring along. Here’s the list: Rice to barter or give to North Koreans; cigarettes for border guards so I can get a picture with them; bread, in case rice is too heavy; money, can’t forget that, about 1000 RMB should do (because I have that lying around); there may have been more, but I stopped taking notes at this point.

Now, I know at least a few people reading this have been to Dandong, so I’m asking for input. Know any good places to stay? to eat? to get close to the DPRK without being shot? Post ‘em in the comments and I’ll be ever grateful. Departure is tentatively Friday afternoon.

Oh, and I won’t be spreading hugs on the border. Word is, that doesn’t work so well here. (Tip o’ the hat to James for the link)

This entry was posted on Monday, October 30th, 2006 at 9:50 pm and is filed under roadside blogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.