November 10, 2004
We're safe in Yakutsk!
THIS is where Santa Claus lives! We met some native reindeer in Yakutsk.
Photo by Nancy Olson
| Logbook for Nov. 10, Day 310376 | ||
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Start: Bestyakh, Russia Time: 11:35 a.m. N: 61* 59.855 E: 129* 59.193 |
Finish: Yakutsk, Russia Time: 5:00 p.m. N: 62* 10.000 E: 129* 50.000 | Mileage: 050 |
| Notes: We're here in Yakutsk, finally, and we want to let you all know that we are safe and sound! Actually, we're better than safe-and-sound. We're in a 5-star hotel until tomorrow, and several of us have just purchased fur hats. Fur is the big deal here in Siberia, and it is so natural to see people walking around in it. Seriously, fur is on everybody you see here, and it is a matter of survival. Nothing else will keep these people warm and alive in the frigid temperatures of eastern Russia. The team, our awesome guide, Roma, who is a bonifide team member now, Manrico, Mary Beth, and Debbie, are all doing well in the -20 weather here in Siberia. We apologize for the lack of communication, but it is impossible to find Internet cafes in these desolate places. Finding a gas station is happy enough of an occurrence to keep us motivated. It's funny, but this sort of privileged suffering really makes us proud to be a team, and we feel excited about the rest of our journey. Roma, our guide, is a God-send. Without him, we would be entirely unable to communicate. With him, we have befriended mayors and local know-it-alls who have hooked us up with accommodations and garages for our team and vehicles. Seriously, life is good. Tomorrow, we will very likely spend one more day in these parts working before heading off toward Magadan. We'll try our best to keep you updated as often as possible. We do apologize for the delay in getting word to you. Try not to worry, though, as the roads are good, our vehicles are good, and our spirits are so very high. We miss you all, but we will be home for the holidays...Love and kisses, DATW. (N.O.) | ||
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