Kaeson Youth Park - Amusement park in North Korea

Kaeson Youth Park, 

an amusement park in Pyongyang.

Reopened in 2010, with about 10 rides.

This is one of the unexpected places as part of my tour itinerary to North Korea. I really did not expect that there is an amusement park in North Korea. Like.. woa, they actually know how to have fun? Oh wait, are they even allowed to have fun? Another surprise was that, it was at night. I had thought that there isn't any activities in North Korea in the evening due to my impression of North Korea as a country with strict regime. Aren't the roads deserted and quiet at night cuz Kim Jong Un strictly make sure everyone goes to bed by 9pm? Ok, I exaggerate, but it goes to show just how much assumptions we have due to how the country is portrayed by the media. Anyway, after the trip, I found out there are 3 others in North Korea. 

I was also concerned if this place was built meant for only tourists. But, when we arrived, it was crowded with families and young couples. So I guess the locals do get to have some fun activities. But, some friends pointed out that these people could be planted by the authorities to give an impression to tourists that it's a normal country. I have no evidence for or against that, so just think what you want it as yeah...

Other than families, group of friends and couples, there were also kids looking like they are on excursion because they were in big group, led by some adults. I found it strange because in Singapore, having an excursion at night is quite unheard of. Then, we found out from the guide that this theme park is open only in the evening, 7pm to 12am.

About the kids... Some of them are dressed in formal wear (shirt and pants for boys, and dress for girls), others in school uniform (identified by their white top and red neck scarf), but most are just in casual wear of shirts and shorts.

When we had just arrived, we were standing around waiting for instruction from the guide, when one of the ladies from my tour group offered the children nearby some candies she had in her bag. Soon, there was a crowd of kids around us. They were curious about us as much as we were curious about them. But before we can have interaction with them, our guide quickly stepped in to disperse the crowd. I don't understand what he spoke to them, but one can sense that it wasn't pleasant. After that, he told off the fella who gave the candies and reminded us not to take or give anything with others. He also told the guy that those kids are not beggar and was very angry with him.

The tour guide, the guy with lanyard, quickly telling the kids to scoot off.

I had observed on the trip that my tour guide seems to dislike it whenever we try to communicate with the locals. This incident also is one of the times that gives me the impression that the guide really do not like it when a negative impression is portrayed. The kids crowding around us for sweets may give us the impression that the kids are pitiful, and he was clearly embarrassed about it. I feel that he think it's his duty to ensure that tourist have nothing but only the good and positive takeaways from North Korea.

Anyway... about the amusement park. 

The place was pretty and cheerful with bright lights hanging even on trees and songs being played.

They also have pretty much all kind of rides.. 

Credits: abandoned kansai

viking ship...

Credits: abandoned kansai

drop tower

belly-down rollercoaster...

360-degrees pendulum swing...

As we were tight for time, we were offered VIP treatment. For VIP treatment, the rides are 1-3 Euro, without having to queue. As the tour group has to remain intact and accompanied by the guide at all times, we were not allowed free and easy.

Flow of event...

The guide brought us as group from one ride to another ride. At each ride, he quoted the price and asked who was interested for the ride. These people were then accompanied by the theme park staff to the ride, bypassing the queue, whilst the rest remain with the tour guide. The rest waited for those on the ride to return before moving on the next ride. 

There weren't many tourists, so we got a lot of attention from the locals when we got on the ride. There were some who will be blushing and looking away timidly when they sit next to tourists while on the ride, while others who were more confident, shook our hands and smiled.

One of the memorable rides for me was the drop tower. It took us quite awhile to get everyone seated, fastening the belt etc.. and so, while waiting, since we were facing the crowd, some of us smiled and waved at the crowd. We actually got some cheers! Lol... Driven by the response, we cheered along and waved more vigorously.... and the cheer got louder.

We felt like superstar... 

but only after seeing this photo taken by my guide, 

the view from the crowd,

it seems more like we're caged display in human zoo =/

Other than the incident with the kids in the earlier part, it was pretty much just a regular evening. I went for most rides and the experience was the same, like any others that I had gone for. It does not feel unsafe, weird or any different just because it was in North Korea. If you're expecting adventurous stories like failed ride that stop halfway cuz you know, it's North Korea... well, I'm sorry to disappoint you cuz it was really just simple night spent having fun on the rides.

It was uneventful, but you can check out more actions at the amusement park in this video.

But if you prefer the propaganda kind from North Korea media, it'll be this video..

Public water dispenser in Yangon

The usual water dispenser that we know of looks as such...

A regular water cooler

However in Myanmar, water sanitation is still quite a problem. Hence, access to drinking water is limited. So, how do the community overcome this? Well, water jugs are commonly found along the streets.

Credits: Dr. Günther Eichhorn

Some are in proper housing as above.. but there are others that are simply placed on racks in the open.

Credits: Monkey Puzzle

Such jugs was one of the first few things that got my attention when I arrived, while on the cab ride from the airport to my hotel. Most that I observed were placed in front of buildings or houses. Initially, I thought that it was part of a culture or Buddhist ritual (had this idea because in Chinese fengshui, water is seen as good luck). I also thought that perhaps it was meant for cleaning the feet before stepping into the house. 

However, I also saw some along the streets with no other buildings in sight, or under the tree, away from the houses.

Eventually, I learnt from the locals that these jugs function as public water dispenser. The jugs are always covered to prevention contamination and there will be a cup or two for you to scoop out the water to drink. I was told the water is safe for consumption but I'm really not sure about the source of water (rain water? well water? bottled water??), hence I did not drink from it. I was also concerned about the hygiene of the cup, but from my observations, the locals simply gulped it down, without the lips touching the cup.

I understood from the locals that the water is accessible to anyone and that it will be refilled when it's empty. However, I'm really not sure how that works. Like, are there officials making rounds every few weeks to refill the jugs? or residents are assigned to check on some jugs regularly?? I have no idea...

Personally, I feel that this act of placing jugs of water is not just another unique culture of Myanmar, but also speaks volume of the Burmese community. By ensuring accessibility of drinking water to the public, it shows the warmth and kind hospitality of the Burmese community. Through this, it is nice to see that community comes together to look out and provide for each other. The strong sense of community is really heartwarming and it is something that we can reflect on.

Another learning point from this is equality for all. Anyone can drink water from those jugs... it doesn't matter if you're a fisherman, student or businessman. Nothing matters. Anyone and everyone is entitled to it. Regardless of age, class/rank, religion etc, anyone can drink from that jug.

Simple water jugs, but a few learning points to reflect on ;)

First week in St. Hilda's Sec

After being away for a few months on professional development leave (PDL), I'm finally back to work. As my PDL application was for a year, I wasn't able to remain in Ping Yi (but it's ok. The school is going through merger with Bedok Town, and that could be just another complicated experience too).

Anyway, my name goes into a common pool and I'm allocated by open posting to... St Hilda's Sec.

It's in Tampines and relatively inconvenient by public transport from my home, but I'll manage somehow, or maybe I should quickly make new friends and try to carpool???

The reporting date given by MOE was 16 Nov 2015, which happened to be the staff meeting/training day too. For the first 2 days, I was down for a workshop on Promoting Quality Thinking. erm, thinking for students, not teachers. But of course, to promote students' thinking, we have to think harder to conduct thinking lessons and, that was what the workshop is for. but more on that another time.

It was great that the seating arrangement was by department as it gives me the opportunity to get to know fellow Science colleagues whom I'll be working closely with.

St Hilda's starts its protected time for teachers on 23 Nov, which means, I still have to report till Fri. A few others were clearing their work station, working on SOW, budget etc.. But, since I've not been allocated any form class, cca or committee yet, there's nothing much I can do. Tentative deployment is out- I got 2E, NA, NT Science and 3E Bio. So, I kinda reviewed the materials that was used this year. I don't really want to do much work on the materials yet as it is not confirmed if we are teaching those classes given in the deployment. And so... that was it. I was done.

What else do I do over that next 3 days then? Well, walking around the estate. I kinda familiarise myself with the stuff around the campus, like the nearest ATM, other nearby schools, bus stops, and of course the eateries around that area. I guess this is still kinda work-related ;) cuz you know, it's like a recce to find out where are the possible hang out grounds for students if they skip remedial or how to survive when it's late afternoon and canteen stalls are closed.

So, that's it for my uneventful first week :)

Street peddlers of Yangon

Other than street food... there are quite a few other interesting street peddlers in the heart of Yangon.

1. Betel nut

It's basically areca nuts and tobacco, wrapped in a lime-coated betel leaf.

2. Phone services

Mobile phones are still not widely used, so... public phones are still commonly found. But, it's not the typical coin pay phone kind. It's just like the phone you have at home or work, just that it's on the street.

I was curious why they were chatting over a table that was so randomly placed along the walkway. The phone on the table caught my attention, but I was still puzzled about it. When I saw more of it, then it hit me that.. ahh, it's a phone booth.

Nope, these phones aren't for sale.

But, if you want some privacy, head down to any of this booth. 

I saw quite a few of such booths and was curious about it. It took me a great deal of courage to peek into one. I timidly stepped into one and craned my next to look around... "Cehhh.. it's just a phone booth.".

3. "Hair salon"

To pick out head lice...

4. Fortune telling services

Most of the fortune tellers do it by palm reading based on the posters I saw.

5. Pedicure/ manicure

Even guys need to pamper themselves yeah..

6. Lottery booth

Sarong: Burmese daily wear

Sarong is their daily wear...

Check out the ladies behind me in beautiful sarong... 

Ok, fine... lemme crop out my annoying face....

There you go... Happy ladies in sarong

They wear it to school...

for grocery shopping...

and even for dating ;)

The problem with sarong is that it may come loose and need adjustment, especially if there had been too much movement. But, don't worry.., they have no qualms about adjusting it in public places. 

Erm, I may seem like a pervert getting such photos, but let put it this way, that I had cultural shock that I had to take a photo. Ok, that sound even weird.. in a state of shock but yet my hands were quick enough to get a snapshot of it. Forget about it, lets just not pursue why I had taken those photos, yeah? 

Moving on...

Another problem is that it is without pocket, but hey... one can always do some life-hack to get around that problem ;)

Even without pocket, with a little bit of creativity, you can still keep your wallet and phone on you.

Anyway, had an interesting travelling snippet whilst looking around to buy sarong.

While on the way to Bago, the driver had a quick pit stop for toilet break, refuel and smoke and coffee break for him. There was time to spare, so, I walked over to the nearby weekend market. As I walked through it, I came across a stall that sells sarong.

It's a relatively undeveloped town, so the stall owner doesn't speak English and no passerby could translate for me. I had relied on passerby when I have to overcome language barrier in the main city. The shop owner, hand-signed to me the number 1 and 5, which I assumed as 15 USD per piece (about 15,000 kyat). Wanting to ask for discount if I buy more, I wrote on my notepad...

1 ---> 15, 000
3 --> 30, 000

Thank god she can read English numbers because a few days before, the locals that I met don't understand English numbers.

Anyway.... showed the lady what I'm bargaining for and she gasped. She looked so shocked that I thought she wasn't happy with the discount I asked for. Before I could bargain to something else agreeable, she took my pen and cancelled the last zero. So, apparently a sarong costs only 1,500 kyat (about 2USD).

She must have thought I was mad to think it was
15,000kyat per piece 😂

Thanaka - Burmese beauty secret

Burmese ladies are known for the the pale yellow paste smeared on their face. Almost every female applies them daily...

the elderly...

young ladies..

you're never too young for it ;)

 Even for those working in office, but unfortunately I wasn't able to snap a photo of those ladies I saw working at the post office.

That yellow paste is Thanaka, a natural beauty product. It is made from ground bark of Thanaka tree, commonly found in Central Myanmar. Mature trees (about 35 years old) are cut into smaller pieces and sold. Housewives then grind the bark cuttings into powder form and store them for future use.

As the saying goes, when in Rome, do what the Romans do, I knew that I definitely have to try it.

My local host applying the hand-made Thanaka for me. 

The family even packed a small amount for me. 

One of the best souvenirs is hand-made products, especially an item that is culturally distinctive to the country.

Add tiny amount to the cap and add a few drops of water to get a paste-like texture. I still apply it once in awhile, but not when I'm outdoor though. I use them mostly when I'm lazing at home the whole day.

From the family, I learnt that Thanaka is a cooling agent and good protection from the sun. So, after having Thanaka applied on my face, I'm ready for some outdoor adventure...

A ride on the bike...

and on the boat..

After a day wearing it, I have to agree that it is quite cooling on the face. It also feels like it tighten the pores, similar sensation as when mud pack applied on face. It also has a slight fragrance, which I kinda like. After I returned from my trip, I learnt that there are quite a few benefits, some similar to what the local explained to me. It's a natural SPF, tightens pores, cools skin and regulates sebum production.

I guess this centuries-old beauty practice will still be carried on given that it works. I know for sure I'll definitely continue using it. Oh, and I'm not worried if I run out of the Thanaka powder because they do sell it commercially, even in Singapore too.

So, my friends... don't be surprised if you see me with yellow paste on my face ;)