Friday July 27

what a fun day today in Irkutsk Siberia.  We left the train this a.m. 10:33 and on the bus to go to city centre of Irkutsk then we went to have lunch at a Dacha.  The host said 70% people have Dachas, which seems impossible.  However, it was a lovely place and we were really treated royally.  Lunch was salad, then soup, and then chicken meatballs with mashed potatoes. And of course a shot of vodka .  After leaving this lovely place in the woods, on the river...a bit of a walk to get there through the woods along a rutted path...then back to the city and a concert of lovely music in a house vintage 1800. Lovely! Then a hotel!  So spacious.wow!  And internet. Hurrah
After a vodka and tonic drink, my new favourite, we are having dinner at the hotel leaving tomorrow for lake Baikal.  20 -80 km wide.  600 km.long 750 meters deep! This will be a high light and some may swim.  I imagine it will be cold.  We will have a picnic dinner there.  This has been such a pleasant day.