Paradise Uncovered

I had no idea that one of the most beautiful places on Earth was hidden deep in North Korea. I’d been stationed for two years at the UN to oversee the implementation of sanctions against the rogue state, but I could never have imagined what kind of wonders lay beneath the surface.

The first time I saw it, I was hunting for a job and living in a rundown apartment block on the outskirts of town. It was a hot day and I wanted to cool off in the river by my apartment block. It wasn’t exactly clean, but there were some trees nearby if you wanted to take a dip. The river looked inviting, even though it was brown and full of floating debris.

I stripped down to just my boxers and jumped into the water, feeling refreshed as the cool water washed over me. As I turned around to make my way back out, I noticed something unusual under one of the willow trees on the bank. Something was glittering in the sun and when I swam closer, I realized that it was a necklace with a small diamond pendant. It looked expensive, so whoever left it behind must be rich.

I grabbed it between my thumb and forefinger to inspect it closer, when suddenly there was a loud splash behind me and I felt a sharp pain in my neck before everything went dark…

When I woke up again, everything was different. For starters, I didn’t feel any pain anymore – not just in my neck, but anywhere. And secondly, there seemed to be no trace of civilization anywhere: No buildings or roads or cars or people… Just trees and shrubs and plants and birds singing all around me. Was I still dreaming? Had that been some kind of hallucination? Where did everyone go? Why am I naked? Am I alone?

Then there was something else that caught my attention: A rainbow-coloured sandcastle some distance away from me on top of a hill, sparkling like a piece of art. And strangely enough it had no apparent source of light near it. As if drawn towards this place, I started walking towards it until realization hit me: If there are no people here but animals – then that means nobody would have built this! What kind of magic is this? Where did these animals come from? How could all these animals have stayed hidden from mankind for so long? Or am I really still dreaming… maybe this is all just some kind of dream…

But then again: If this is indeed real – then where are all the people gone? Couldn’t they see all this beauty too? Why didn’t they stay here and protect this paradise from whatever threat had taken their lives elsewhere? Where did they go?

And then suddenly another realization hit me: Could this be heaven? Is it possible that everything we humans do on earth can somehow be redeemed by simply being born as an animal here somewhere else? Do we get to live our lives again – only this time free from sin? Even though we seem to have been punished for our sins by being sent down here in the first place… Is there really such thing as redemption after death?!

Then another thought crossed my mind: Maybe this is hell instead… Then maybe whoever made all these creatures made them evil too… And they had to find shelter somewhere deep underground where nobody would ever find them… Like in Hell…. Hiding in plain sight right underneath our noses! Is that why nobody had ever discovered them before?! So they could keep harming us without being held accountable?!

Trying to shake off these thoughts while still trying to convince myself that I'm not crazy (because yes – thinking about whether you're dead or alive can drive you insane!), I finally reached the sandy hilltop where the glittering rainbow castle stood proud before me under its own light source - apparently powered by crystals buried inside its walls.

As soon as my eyes laid upon its magnificence, my mind was flooded with awe-infused thoughts. I was overcome by the incredible beauty of this place, with its vibrant flowers, brilliantly hued leaves, and iridescent butterflies. It was as if my once mundane life had been filled with color and inspiration beyond my wildest imagination.

In that moment, I realized that whether this was a dream or reality, it was a place like no other – one that surpassed any expectations I could have ever held. The blissful surroundings seemed to captivate not only my senses but my very soul, making me forget all concerns and uncertainties.Indeed, this mysterious, magical world was an unparalleled treasure waiting for me to explore further.