Day 5: ICBM, Friendship Exhibition, Ryongmun Cave, Duck BBQ

ICBM
We woke to the news that last night an ICBM had been tested. I' ve always seen this on TV but I never thought I'd be in North Korea when something like this actually happens.

The morning news the day after the launch

The mood on the street was festive. It normally happens in North Korea after the launch of an ICBM. The nation celebrates with spontaneous mass dances. We were told there would be many celebrations throughout the day. So very different from what I've been exposed to. I was not worried about the timing. I wanted to see how the North Koreans talks about this.

The plan for the day was to head out to the Friendship Exhibition in MYohyangsan north of pyongyang. It was another long drive about 2 1/2 hours. A good time to catch some sleep on the bus.

The scenes on the way to the exhibition house. The picture with guys on the bike is one of my favorites. It's displaying the hotel, Yanggakdo where we were staying.

Mass dancers celebrating

Friendship Exhibition 
On the way to the Friendship Exhibition house I got a few pics as well. see below. The exhibition house is an enormous building housing all the awards, accomplishments of the two great, leaders. It houses diplomas, degrees, medals, gifts of all sorts,  all over the many  rooms too many to count. It goes on and on but sorry cameras were  not allowed. 
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The building: the Friendship Exhibition museum along with one of the new korean guides.

Ryongmun Cave
Ryongmiun cave  is a very amazing place, about two hours walking going deep into the earth, with temperature reaching as low as 12 degrees celsius. It affords the traveler a chance to see nature's artwork.

 Accompanied a by a very funny korean guide, it will prove to be one of the highlights of the tour.  After all that walking you get hungry and its already time for dinner. a lot of time was lost going to the Museum and walking the cave so not a lot got done today (not quantity but quality) but still a very meaningful day.

Entrance to the Cave

Dinner was duck BBQ. What was more interesting was the news that night. Most group members wanted to see the evening news to see how the launch of the ICBM would be reported. There was an excitement in the restaurant. People were offering toast to celebrate the success of the lunch. Songs were being sung and then news came on. I captured a good portion of it. I mean It really dawned on me during that period that I was in North Korea. 

The day was over and it was bed time, tomorrow would mark the last full day in North Korea, how time flies....It's the same everywhere, even in the DPRK...

I went to the hotel, packed my stuff and went as usual to 47th floor of the hotel to the revolving restaurant to meet the crew and spend the time together.