Posted on May 28, 2014 |
by Viola Zhou
I tried to interact with local people. Most of the time they walked away with a poker face when I pointed at my camera and smiled, indicating I wanted to take a photo. But some people gave very friendly responses.
The tour guide said people in North Korea study English as their second language beginning in primary school. After entering college, they will learn a third language such as Chinese, Russian or Japanese. I did not encounter someone other than the tour guides who speaks Chinese, but many people do understand some English.
by Viola Zhou
The woman gave back a sweet smile after I smiled at her.
by Viola Zhou
The girl on the left was willing to talk. She said in English that she is 17 years old. She likes drawing in her spare time. The girls were happy to take a look at their photo.
by Viola Zhou
The boy I met outside of the ice rink was shy at first. He turned to his father for advice, who then encouraged him to take a photo.
by Viola Zhou
We met three boys outside the Pyongyang Skate Park, a roller skating rink opposite to the ice rink. The boy with “QUIZ” on his T-shirt was very interested in us. He pulled his friends towards the camera and finally one was convinced. He told me his name as I showed him the photo.
by Viola Zhou
These three young men at Kaeson Youth Park in Pyongyang were friendly but shy. They seemed to feel awkward being photographed. Later they asked our tour guide to say “have a great time” to us.
by Viola Zhou
The couple sitting at the side of the ice rink speak a little English. They said they come to the rink “on some days”. They also said they live in the capital and they like China.
