We are recovering in Novosibirsk with two nights in the same hotel, no bugs and good food. Team Silver arrived at 5am and I stayed up for breakfast. I proceeded to eat three bowls of fresh fruit with granola and yogurt, multiple glasses of juice and pumpernickel bread with hard cheeses, plus a good cup of coffee. I topped it all off with five wedges of watermelon. We will run again tonight and return for more.

On the road I've come to rely on borscht and coca cola as treats, plus what I haul along from supermarket purchases. Today I found peanut butter to go with my breads and crackers. The meals along the Siberian rural highway are limited in variety. I'€™ve been ordering either pasta or mashed potatoes and mixing in the salad of the day, usually cucumbers and tomatoes, but sometimes also cabbage and carrots. The chai with sugar continues to be my Russian dessert. The borscht is generally really good and most often vegetarian. I'€™ve been getting my protein from nuts, cheese and adding beans to the starches and carbohydrates.

Tomorrow's a day off, hopefully with some time here and not too much travelling. It continues to rain daily. The City of Novosibirsk in the vicinity of our hotel has a westernized feel with a New York Pizza place nearby and a hamburger joint playing 60's tunes and decorated like an old-time diner. David and I went to a bank to change money. He speaks some Russian and the women really like him. There were two doors for the Kacca (the money exchange), Kacca No. 1 and Kacca No. 2. It was like watching an American TV quiz show as individuals came in and out, checked behind the doors, disappeared for whatever amount of time and always came out smiling. I chided David that today, on his birthday, this was his opportunity to make his confessions. He ended up making the fastest turnaround on money exchange in a Russian bank that I'€™m aware of on our team to date.

Today I received a lot of news from home and contacts from friends, including those who will see us in California. It's exciting to think we are almost one half way and really close to a home coming. I am excitedly anticipating the explosion of our campaign for safe drinking water. People are following us. The BPR videos just went up on YOUTUBE and the website is improving daily. Getting the word out is so important and I again thank everyone who is helping us out. Speaking the same language will be a huge plus when we hit the States. But first, we will have the excitement of Japan where our runner Taeko is well known and should stir up quite a fuss, particularly now that she is engaged to Jason from Canada.

Ten days to the Mongolian border!!!!!!!!!!