From Igra, Russia. We are definitely rerouted off MR7 and we’ve had another time change. We will have another today as we move on to Perm at the western base of the Ural Mountains. These mountains are the division line between Europe and Asia. It is Day 32 and I am officially on Team Silver. We slept with Team Yellow and the communications van in a dorm-type hotel with a good shower. Very basic but very accommodating and I slept like the dead for eight hours. My new team is very international including David from the Czech Republic, Sheri from Israel now living in Sri Lanka, and Emmanuel from Kenya. Our driver Alexey and guide Arina are super helpful and lots of fun.

Played Frisbee last night and might learn how by the end of this trip. As of today we are ONE THIRD of the way based on number of days!!!!! It’s amazing to comprehend, especially when you look at the world map and plot the route.

My choice encounter on Day 31 was in Klimez walking through a small park. Four teenage girls were sitting across from each other on two benches when I walked up to deposit something in a litter can. They giggled and I smiled and said hello. More silly giggling followed as I walked past. Then I heard one of them practicing her English and saying, “Hello, how are you?” So I turned around, smiled again and said “very good, thank you.” Then an explosion of silly giggles which got me going too. They were all super cute and dressed to the nines, including the Russians’ classic bejeweled stilettos sold at all the local markets cheap.

I’ve been especially intrigued by the hats worn in this culture. Not the Siberian fur hats of the movies but hats like the little blue triangle caps worn by checkers in the markets, as well as baker hats and ice cream server hats. They are very funny and don’t seem to have any practical purpose. So far I’ve only seen them on women workers. The dress in Russia is much more westernized than when I came here a decade ago. Runners in shorts and singlets has not posed a problem as it used to be. In many cases, our team women are wearing more than the young Russian women.

Had a tough hot run today, hilly through lush farmland, swarmed by bugs. A good test for the hills and heat to come…….