North Korea! and...dilemma. Russia or China?

I have officially reserved for a trip to North Korea in May. I'll be going with a group of friends. Really...it's not AS exciting as it sounds. We go barely over the border and climb a mountain BUT I get to say that I spent a night there and that's more than a lot of people can say. Two friends of mine, Jen and Lisa, went on a trip there last year and had a terrific time. Appaerently it's like, clean. No garbage anywhere. I can't even imagine a clean Korea! Sadly though, you don't get a stamp in your passport. They stamp this piece of paper they put in your passport, then take the paper when you leave. I think that's dumb, but it would probably save a LOT of hassles at any future border crossings.

"no, really...I went to North Korea as a tourist. Yes, I know...that's weird. But really, I did."

right. Those American border guards'd believe me in an instant.

Here's a list of the restrictions for the trip!!

9. Banned items list and other regulations
Mobile phones and other communications devices are not permitted.
Cameras with telephoto lenses of more than160mm and binoculars with zooming capabilities of 10 times or more are banned.
All electronic equipment must be checked at the Guemgang Condo before departing for North Korea. This includes all cameras, battery chargers, PDAs, video cameras, notebook computers, calculators & CDP, and MP3 players.
Newspapers and magazines from South Korea aren't permitted.
You are allowed to bring personal reading material but please take the subject matter into consideration.
You must ALWAYS wear your ID (you will get this before you arrive in NK) around your neck. You will be fined if it lost or damaged.
Must carry your passport and ID with you at all times.
You are not permitted to bring alcohol or other food items into North Korea.
Washing hands and/or feet is not allowed in the fresh water springs (fine is $15). Also, please be aware of the NO SMOKING areas and do not leave cigarette butts on ground.
Do not take any natural objects(such as rocks)
Only US dollars and credit cards are accepted.
There are many large rocks with engraving done by the government. Do not touch or lean on these rocks.
You may speak with the North Korean people that you meet, but you may not take random pictures of them, including pictures from inside the bus. In addition, please be careful of the conversation topics when speaking with North Koreans.
DO NOT talk about politics, diplomatic relations, economics and other such sensitive issues.

Anyways, it'll be great, i'll update on it for sure.

NOW, next dilemma. I've extended my contract here at Youngdo until the end of July. I am to meet my paretns in Greece the end of September. I wanted to extend with Youngdo until August, but that's not possible.

My options are as follows:

1) try to get a summer camp for a month (until mid-August), travel Germany, Switzerland,
Italy and meet my parents

2) go to China, Hong Kong, travel Germany, Switzerland, Italy and meet my parents

3) go to Russia, Denmark, travel Germany, Switzerland, Italy and meet my parents

I'm gonna try for the summer camp option. ...i think. The extra money would be sweet, however I also lose out on travelling through China or Russia. Keep in mind that after meeting my parents I then travel through Great Britain to Newfoundland then home...this is kind of going to cost an arm and a leg.

I have a few months to figure this out...and save my little tushie off. The trip to North Korea's NOT going to help with this saving thing, but come ON!! it's NORTH KOREA!

stupid life and its stupid decisions ;)