North Korea
Joining a mass dance of 15.000 people
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Johan Kruseman
Updated on 31 August 2024
Updated on 31 August 2024
Later, we stopped to take a picture of a gigantic Las Vegas-style hotel that had been under construction for 25 years but was still unfinished. Since the best shot was in the middle of the road, a police officer closed the road for us so we could all get our perfect shot.
Finally, the big moment arrived: the mass dance. When we entered the square, I was overwhelmed by the sight: 15,000 students perfectly lined up and dressed to perform a synchronized dance. I never imagined that would be possible, considering that even with 15 people on a dance floor in the Netherlands, there is already a synchronization mismatch. It became even more surreal when we were allowed to participate. All the Koreans were paired up, man and woman, and since I was still under surveillance and not in a position to propose other combinations, I had to find a partner. But after a few seconds in the dance arena, a Korean boy happily gave me his partner, and I danced with her for the next hour. It was an indescribable experience to be part of such a synchronized mass of people, all dancing the same (except for a few foreigners desperately trying to keep up).
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Traveled route: Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, Pyjongyang, Kaesong Checkpoint, Wonsan, Hamhung
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The next morning, one of our group members walked off the main path between a fountain and some statues of the leaders. Not even 30 meters away from the group, a uniformed guy stepped out from behind a tree and presented him with a small orange ball,
North Korea
Did this story inspire you to go to North Korea? Read more on what North Korea has to offer, what the best months are for visiting and check the handy links for backpacking there.
