Seven (screwed up) wonders of the totalitarian world

by Neil Woodburn on

There is something terribly crazy about totalitarian governments and their sense of architecture: monumental, gaudy, pompous, and, more often than not, in extraordinarily poor taste.

That’s whey the fine folks over at Esquire Magazine have compiled a list of what they feel are the world’s most “colossal monument[s] to narcissism.”

The Seven Wonders of the Totalitarian World, as you might imagine, is a rather bizarre assortment of architectural toy things by those drunk with power and devoid of taste. I can’t say I agree with all of them–there are certainly others that should make the list such as Kim Il Sung’s massive bronze statue in Pyongyang (above). But the ones that are included are still worth checking out nonetheless. And remember, when dictators fall, as Esquire points out, their statues soon follow–so be sure to visit soon.

Fist Crushing U.S. Fighter Plane, Libya
Monument to President Laurent Kabila, Congo
Lenin’s Mausoleum, Russia
Monument to President Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan
Mao Leading the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, China
The Hands of Victory, Iraq
Monument to the Founding of the North Korean Worker’s Party, North Korea

India and now Korea: more toilet talk

by Abha Malpani on

India isn’t the only country having toilet summits; one is going to kick off in Korea on November 21. This one takes a special twist though as it encourages people to open their homes in the name of improving world hygiene — according to the UN about 2.5 billion people live without proper toilet facilities.

To commemorate the General Assembly of the World Toilet Association in Korea and to amplify his call for toilet sanitation, former Korean Mayor Sim Jae-Duck has demolished his own house and constructed a US$1.6 million house in the shape of a loo. Before he moves in, the house can be stayed in for a rent of US$50,000 a night and proceeds will go into building toilets for those who cannot afford them.

In the West, toilets and toilet paper are taken for granted and people complain about the dog poo they occasionally step into. In India, the government lets out pigs into the street to eat people’s excretion — there’s just so much of it.

In some villages of say 300 people, residents share one toilet. Hard to contemplate huh.

People crap isn’t the only problem, cows crap in the main streets too. That cow-dung we actually use as manure and fuel to cook on. It’s even splat onto walls of houses in villages where electricity is unaffordable, to keep them cool in scorching summers.

I think I don’t need to elaborate further on how unhygienic things can get from lack of toilets and sanitation facilities. I’m really happy that nations are collaborating to think of solutions for this massive problem.

[Via AFP]

Where on Earth? Week 31: Shenyang, China

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m going to directly quote the words of Gadling reader Sean who responded to Wednesday’s Where on Earth contest with the following:

Well, the polluted sky, vehicles, and signs say it’s in China. The architecture of the left-side building means it’s somewhere north. It’s a big city, and fairly developed, but I know it’s not Harbin. I’ll say Shenyang?

Bingo! This is the most impressive example of deductive reasoning we’ve seen for this feature since Jim nailed the Channel Islands back in Week 15. Great job, Sean!

So yes, folks, it is indeed the northern China city of Shenyang. I spent a few days here on the way to North Korea a couple of weeks ago. There is a sizeable North Korean population here as well as a North Korean consult. It is also one of the few places which has direct flights to Pyongyang–although such flights are rarely full of North Koreans.Shenyang itself is nothing to write home about. Many descriptions I had read about the city before arriving actually incorporated the word “armpit” as an adjective. Sadly, I think they were spot on. Although, Shenyang has a rather impressive Forbidden City, there really isn’t too much else to enjoy other than an outdoor market and an impressive Mao statue. And, perhaps, some tasty restaurants.

I’m sure that someone out there will disagree with me and sing praises to this northern town, and I welcome their insight. Perhaps I just needed to spend more time there. Or, perhaps not.

Seeking out vacation spots without cell-phone coverage

by Neil Woodburn on

For those who are able to do so, leaving your cell phone at home when you go on vacation enhances that vacation experience immeasurably. Those who find they can’t leave the cell phone at home, however, might want to opt for a destination where, despite how hard you try, you just can’t get a signal. Sorry, boss! I brought my cell with me but it’s not my fault there was no signal!

If this sounds like the perfect guilt free vacation, pop on over to the Telegraph and check out Mobile-free holidays. Journalist Rosemary Behan goes in search of those few places left on this planet where a signal simply can’t reach your cell phone, thereby cutting you off from the hectic world from which you sought escape–isn’t that why you took a vacation in the first place, dummy?

Behan’s list includes the obvious (Antarctica), the remote (Nepal), and the surprising (North Wales). But if you really, really want to ensure you can’t talk on your mobile, be sure to visit North Korea where the police actually confiscate cell phones at the airport. Oh, and just in case you’ve covered all angles in keeping open a line of communication to the outside world, the North Koreans will also confiscate your satellite phone. If your boss can reach you in Pyongyang, you should truly be frightened.

Where on Earth? Week 29: Pyongyang, North Korea

by Neil Woodburn on

Yes foks, it’s Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

I went for a little look-see two weeks ago and have made it out alive. What a strange, bizarre, fantastic place. There really is nowhere else quite like it on this planet; it was like going back in time.

I will be posting about the trip in the next week or so, but in the meantime, the photo above captures the world’s largest Triumphal Arch – three meters taller than the one in Paris. If this wasn’t enough to help figure out the location, there is also a small red and gold communist banner hanging from one of the light posts. In the distance as well, you can just make out the Ryugyong Hotel. This monstrosity stands 1083 feet (103 stories) and was supposed to be the world’s tallest hotel. Unfortunately, it was never completed and now stands as a testament of failure and an eyesore embarrassment to the current regime.

Congrats go out to Tri for nailing the answer to this location last Wednesday — followed up by Beanie, Juan and Blu-Sam.