After our day off in Novosibirsk, Team Silver drove to Mariinsk where we rested before rising just after midnight to begin the 3am to 9am shift. Shiri and I were treated to someone's apartment but little time to enjoy its amenities. Despite deliciously clean sheets, we slept little which tends to be the case whenever we move to a new schedule. Nevertheless, our runs were awesome! The scenery is dramatically improving with lots of hills, prolific and varied wildflowers, and gorgeous views. We've just passed through a major coal producing region and the Trans-Siberian Railway Express is roaring by often with freight. Cozy little villages dot the horizon. As I write this Emmanuel is flying into the sunrise which is casting magical lighting across the landscape.

I haven't blogged about mayonnaise yet but last night I woke having nightmares about this white goopy condiment. You see, unless you say "nyet" mayonnaise, it comes on everything. And lately I've been forgetting to say "nyet." Generally I can scrape it off but yesterday a huge glob of it came out on my wonderful and unique cucumber and tomato salad and there was no scraping it off. One of my personal issues here has to do with wasting food. I have left a number of dishes unfinished and obsess about the waste. I hate not eating what's served. So here I was with this beautiful plate of cucumbers and tomatoes and just could not stomach it with that white junk on it. I have never liked mayonnaise except for a bit in tuna or potato salad. The Russians adore it on everything.

We've lost another hour. We are still 1500K from Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. Shiri is recovering from the "common cold," as Emmanuel refers to it in his British English. Everyone is running strong. For those who have not figured it out, Team Silver is Team Gray and also Running Team #4. The team changed its name from gray to silver to put a little sizzle in the name. So the standing jokes include asking us if we are "feeling gray today" or if I am "looking gray today." It's the silly things that often keep us going through this vast Siberian wilderness. And, in case you're wondering, yes, the mosquitoes are still attacking. We understand they will keep attacking all the way to Mongolia. The countdown is on........