NY Times 52 Places Travel Journalist Essay Application

I submitted this essay to The New York Times back in October 2017, in hopes of becoming the next temporary travel journalist for the Times. The winner, who beat more than 13,000 applicants, was just announced. Hint: It wasn’t me, haha. But here’s what I wrote. The idea of being an American cultural ambassador to the people I encountered in North Korea is not lost on me, given the recent tensions and threats between our two countries. I think this is worth sharing.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve been and why? (500 words)

My first night in Pyongyang on November 17, 2015, at Monsudae Grand Monument. People cannot take photos of the statues in any manner considered disrespectful to the former leaders, i.e. no hands in pockets, no silly poses, you must capture the entire bodies in each photo. I didn’t know what sort of expression to have.

I sweated while U.S. Customs and Border Patrol interviewed me for Global Entry at SFO in July 2017.

“North Korea. Why did you go there?,” the deadpan officer asked.

“I went in 2015 with a British company that’s been leading tours there since the ’90s. I was just curious,” I said, trying to sound chirpy.

“Just be careful about North Korea…but I will approve your application,” the officer replied. I nodded. Soon afterward, President Trump banned Americans from visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

I’ve lived in 12 cities across six countries. I’ve traveled to 39. I was a full-time journalist for years, exploring locally and internationally. North Korea is the obvious, yet sincere, answer…