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No curiosity at all about Pyongyang and the fake fascist pageant culture it represents.
Mogadishu is surely worth seeing, even if it would mean drastically shortening my life expectancy. Even as a war zone, it's still a capital of an ancient, colourful, tenacious, and fascinating culture.
Before the war broke out, Mogadishu would have been more interesting to visit. I searched for older photos and it seems it was a quite large touristic spot in the seventies and that it also had a lovely historical center which was the mix of colonial and Arab influences. Most of that is gone now and i now would prefer Pyongyang because the Kims have at least left order which is necessary to visit a place.
Pyongyang for sure. Been there,... havent been to Mogadishu though. As a tourist the city is nice, extra-ordinary safe cause there is no crime (that affects you) and you are guided by state guides all the time. There actually is a lot to see, its clean, and it gives me a feeling of Soviet Union in the 70s. Recently, there are more cars, LED street lights and modern buildings actually.
If I bow each time I'm passing under a picture of the "Great Leader" (head of the first Communist hereditary monarchy, kudos to him), I think that not only would I be fine in N Korea, but even enjoy a VIP treatment. Doesn't even compare with Mogadiscu, which is probably the worst hell hole in the world (Baghdad being a close contender).
Don't want to visit either, although at least Pyongyang in North Korea is well policed and doesn't have Islamic terrorist. Saying that the Police and Authorities are the main reason for not wanting to go to North Korea.
Well, "fun" may be the wrong term. We had fun, meaning that we had nice talks with our guides, we saw interesting places, we had good food and visited unique locations. Even we took a ride on a fun fair and visited nice museums and parks and it was not dangerous at all.
It's just that the whole thing is very emotional for me, as I am very deep into Korean tradition, history, economy and society, as my longtime girlfriend is Korean (South). To see how big the differences between the two countries are, and to see how people in the North try to do their best to survive, was somehow hard for me. Basically they are the same friendly, hardworking and intelligent people as in the South, they are just caught in a nightmare prison. If you see young laughing North Korean childrends roller blading with the background of the DPRK worker's party monument with a giant red Juche flame, the leaders monuments and the LED illuminated new residential buildings downtown, its just too weird.
Pyongyang, I would just do exactly what they tell me so I won't get in trouble, not be a western moron trying to snap pictures of things I am not supposed to, or steal posters so I can look cool when I am back home!
I'm interested in visiting both. Though I'd choose Pyongyang because provided you avoid openly disrespecting their leaders, you'll have a much better chance of coming home alive!
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