Can you believe it, Russia

Ulaan Baatar was quick. The people look like Mongoians, more beefy then the Chinese. I had a long conversaion with a local cafe owner. he spoke some English and offered me the treditional monal dinner free, by then I was full. I did the best I could and gave the rest to a begger who had just entered. He save me. The meal was chopped beef (I think as they have many hores) incased in a very thick doe, them fryed. Yes, very greasy.

I stayed next to the train station. Shared bath with the whole floor, but no comptition and vey clean.

The trip was very interesting as many sheep and horses. The landscape was flat to rollling. It went to very dry almost desert to grassy, then to green lush grassland. We we got clos to russia the scenery turned to moutains and rivers. the border crossing was unique and a hassle. I rode a Chinese train different size rail then Russia. They lifted each car and put different wheeles under them. Then when we got futher along we changed from a diesel engin to electric. I am still in the same car that could take me to Moscow if I choose.

The train scooked by Lake Baikal the deapest lake in the world. It has 86 unique speaces. One fish that is almost trsparent dances along the bottom turning the silt for no apparent reason. They discovered this dance not long ago with the bath-a-scaf (under water scientic sub) I took a trip to this research station by the way of a hydo-foil. (neat) this cute scientis, just happen to speak English and I lashed onto her as she interp everything to me from Dr. Nemo you now 'Moby Dick' the head scientis looked just like him. They both where great we laughed a lot. We only had five in the group. They all a greed in looked like the captain 'Gregery Peck' I don't know if I got the name right.

The guys on the train and now rooming with me are 22 and really nice Norweigian boys. One has red hair just like Tom my brother-in-law. The other is a Russian 25 working on his advance degee. He has some sort of inport export bussiness going. He found us a place to stay that belongs to his future mother-in-law. He has just been a wonder to us. When we arrived in Irkutsk, Russia on Lake Baikal he spent no less then two hours helping us get out next destination train tickets, then he went home to get his car and picked up the key and the mother-in-law to show the place and assured us if we did not like there would be no obligating and just pay what ever we like. It was a great location and had everything except a TV, darn and the play offs. Well the Lakers are going to win anyway. Dima did not stop there. He continues to stop by and direct us and take us. His girl friend hope to be wife is drop dead beautiful. She help us get a stamp on our visia saying we stayed in a Hotel (small fee to a Hotel. The Russian have a long way to go to get foreiners to come to there country. I am on a very good and fast computer, that is why I am going on like I am.

I will leave for Moscow tomorrow 78 hours on the fast train. Too bad you are not here to enjoy this adventure.

Each day is a new wonder. People are what brings joy. I hope I can return the joy and kindness that many have given me.

I could not find an internet place and two young men gave me a lift miles away. You are not suppose to get in cars with strang people. Another kind jester. Now I must find my was back.

Last night I walked along the boardwalk (water) got my beer and hot sandwich for $1.50 and much to my surprise there was a beautiful fountain light show with music that would make any american city proud. I hope to go tonight again,(good beer) The fellow I met last night he is from Moscow. he gave me his number. he is a Russia jew, a scientist here to solve a problem.

Rich