To be able to write her book from an insider’s point of view, South Korean-born Suki Kim took the risk of going undercover in North Korea. For half a year, Kim worked as an English teacher at an elite school honing the country’s future leaders. While sensitising her students through concepts based on “seeking the truth” and “critical thinking“, massive doubts arose on her part at the same time: Was she putting them to peril by merely exposing them to usually unspeakable topics? “Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea’s Elite,” is the memoir of Kim’s stay in Pyongyang during Kim Jong-Il’s final six months. Her work offers unprecedented insights into the psychology of North Korea’s ruling class.
Posts about Destinations
An architectural legacy: Esma Sultan in Istanbul
The shell of a historic structure on the European coast of the Bosporus is lauded as one of Istanbul’s most exceptional venues and the distinguished guest or performers’ list includes Deep Purple, Alan Parsons, Boy George, Chris de Burgh, Elia Kazan, George Benson, actor Kevin Spacey … to name a few. But what is the mystery behind this astonishing building and its eponym?
Geocaching: The Treasure Hunt of the Digital Age
Adults are often shy to admit it: since childhood days their enthusiasm for the old-fashioned treasure hunt has not subsided a shred. Small wonder that organisers of incentives and programmes fringing conventions and events still implement city rallyes of all shapes and sizes in undiminished frequency when it comes to familiarise participants with a destination. They can be certain of an equally relentless zeal displayed by their grown-up group members. Just as excited as ever to successfully be hewing their path through an unknown jungle – be it sylvicultural or urban, they give their utmost in the hopes of snatching away the much-desired reward or prize from able contesters. Mobile GPS systems sometimes alleviate coping with a task seemingly unconquerable, whereby clandestine users are a disgrace to any team! The classical MICE treasure hunt requires minute preparation to really serve its purpose of both, information and entertainment. But there is a versatile, reliably rolling bandwagon ready for parties to jump on to, approved GPS as an auxiliary included: Geocaching.
Malta: Large-scale events on the rocks
A guest post by Paul Selis
Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, the three main islands Malta, Gozo and Comino are small, beautiful and unique. With a fascinating 7,000 years of history and pre-historic temples older than the Pyramids, the Islands are bursting with culture, friendly locals, sunshine and ongoing events. With its thriving economy, continuous business development and considered to be a very safe destination, Malta has become an important hub for various trades, professions, services, vocations, research and education in the Mediterranean, making it an optimal choice to hold international meetings.
A cryptical maze: The Edinburgh Vaults
When South Bridge was built around the end of the 18th century, it was not solely constructed in order to connect the Old Town of an expanding community with its Southside, but designated to become the city’s very first purpose-built shopping street. Underneath, embedded in the viaduct’s 19 arches, lie a series of chambers known as The Edinburgh Vaults. Back then, they mainly served as a practical storage area for the shops above.