Monday Satire: Postcards from Pyongyang
Welcome, friends!
Regent Holidays — For travellers looking for a truly unique experience, our tours to North Korea offer a privileged glimpse into a secret and propaganda-filled world. As the leading UK experts on North Korea we have worked closely with the authorities since 1985 to develop tours which push the boundaries for tourism.
Part of the fun of a tour to North Korea is to expect the unexpected, so go with the flow and you will be rewarded with an intriguing and memorable holiday.…
15th July
Darling Nicola,
After a fascinating week in Beijing, Daddy and I fly to Pyongyang today. So far lots of “exotic” meals and even a karaoke night. Who’d have guessed your father knew all the words to Livin’ on a Prayer!? The other members of the tour group are calling him “Elvis” Bunstable! Bad luck about the timing of our trip. We’re absolutely crushed to have to miss out on this year’s camping holiday with you and the children. Despite the torrential rains, the mosquitoes and the twins’ stomach flu, we had such a lovely two weeks in the camper van with all of you last year.
Love to James and the children,
Mum and Dad
* * *
16 July
Dear Nic, James and kiddies,
Our group took an “escorted” tour of the demilitarized zone this morning. Bit dodgy. Apparently they haven’t accounted for all the land mines as yet, and Mum was a bit put off by the Kalashnakovs and the dogs. Still, good fun. Stopped for lunch – rice and what I hope was either chicken or pork – in an abandoned munitions hanger. (Add a cold bath and a bit of flogging, and I might have been back in the Royal Navy!) Went on to look at some rather hideous monuments, but had a celebrity sighting! Turns out it was that mad American basketball player Dennis Rodman – not likely to miss a seven-foot Black man in a pink cap, feather boa and lipstick round these parts. No traffic at all on the roads, and you would not believe what these people can do with concrete.
Cheers!
Dad
* * *
17th July
Dear Nicola,
Last full day behind the barbed wire curtain. Went to a parade this a.m. Not terribly festive — just tanks and missiles. We never did find out what they were celebrating, though I can’t say being in the middle of a crowd of under fed, identically dressed, flag-waving Kim fans was particularly jolly. Unfortunately one of our little band of travellers, Mrs. Fenster from London, somehow got separated from the group and ended up in the People’s Security Palace. Luckily they found nothing questionable when they searched her, and the authorities let her go in exchange for teaching them something called a Gang-Nam Style dance (?). Our “bon voyage banquet” is tonight. I’m certainly ready to be back in Shropshire. Your father’s been practicing for his karaoke performance all afternoon.
xoxo, Mum
* * *
18th July
Dear Nicola,
Boarding the plane for Beijing shortly, but I have some rather shocking news, so prepare yourself. Daddy has decided to “follow his star” and remain in North Korea for the time being, abandoning not only his family, but 30 years’ service in the Commemorative Stamp Bureau and his government pension as well. After his rendition of Tainted Love at last night’s banquet, he was approached by representatives for that Rodman fellow, who are recruiting performers for something called a Diggin’ the Worm Goodwill East Tour. Given how poor Mrs. Fenster was violated here, I think your father has gone stark raving mad, but once he zipped up that yellow jumpsuit and switched on the rhinestone microphone there was no reasoning with him. Apparently they’re planning an autumn swing through rural China with a stopover in London on the way to Beirut. He can explain himself to you then, since reaching him in Pyongyang will obviously be impossible. He can do as he likes, but I am coming home. This is one Bunstable the secret police will not be using their filthy hoses on.
Love to all, Mum
* * *
4th September
My dearest daughter Nicola,
What up, Kimmie?!
Day twenty-four in the British Embassy compound. Sending this out in the diplomatic pouch as leaving grounds impossible. The station chief hopes Dennis may be able to secure my release. Not sure what you’ve been told, but let’s just say that when the Great Successor requests “Superfreak” it’s best not to refuse on artistic grounds. Pity really. Rehearsals for the tour were going terribly well. If you speak to your mother, please tell her how very sorry I am. Can’t think what was going through my head, but if she feels she must continue with the divorce proceedings, I understand. Seems we’d have been better off camping with you and the kiddies than swanking off to this barmy corner of the world, but no use crying over spilt state secrets as they say in the safe room. On a happier note, I’m told the Stamp Bureau may have a position in the Commemorative Re-Issues division should I make it out. Apparently they have a very competitive karaoke team and view me as something of a ringer!
Chin up and keep a good thought. Love to all,
Daddy
Posted on September 3, 2013, in Satire and tagged Beijing, Beirut, Dennis Rodman, Karaoke, Kitchen Slattern, North Korea, Pyongyang, Royal Navy, Slattern, Tainted Love, transportation. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
Kitchen Slattern 
Damn good here. Just what is Dennis doing. I just don’t get it.
Seriously has the world gone mad? I know I have.
You had me laughing out loud lady.
Then my work here is done. 😉
Ya done good Wendie.
Thank you, sir.
I was on the dmz back in 1973 and man oh man it was cold. It was so cold I always figured it was the origins of the term cold war. Of course, I was on the south side of the dmz in an open jeep that broke down in the Chinese Tunnel. My travel agent left lots to be desired. John
I’ve often thought the weather might be behind the kimchee mania. All that methane to warm you up.
Maybe you would’ve been better off staying in Maine this year?
Incidentally, was reading about David Sedaris and he recommends a book by Barbara Demick, “Nothing to Envy” – about lives of 6 North Koreans, none of them is Dennis Rodman.
Read an account of people vacationing in the DPRK and absolutely could not believe anyone in his right mind would go there, especially on holiday. This is my imaginary journey, which is scary enough. Even in February, it makes Maine look like a paradise on Earth.
Wendie said, “This is my imaginary journey…”
…and to think for a moment I believed that Maine had driven you straight into the flabby arms of an Asian dictator with two chins who looks like he’s outgrown his hair?
No, no, Wendie. I’d like to think that, if you ever travel to Asia you’d at least look me up, so I could take you to a REAL karaoke, where you can also get a Chinese meal, a nice foot massage, and an awkward conversation with a female prostitute who speaks limited English, but will sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you till the cows come home (to Maine. It’s sung to the tune of WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN).
Is that HIS hair? I assumed he’d taken someone else’s! Of course, now that you mention it, why would anyone choose to look like that?
I won’t lie, Susan, China’s not at the absolute top of my travel list, tempting though you make it seem.