Our guide during the transfer back to Irkutsk was brilliant. (Damien from Baikal Complex) With 10 hrs to kill we decided to walk around the city but were not expecting much – it turned into a really pleasant day.

From the station across the bridge all the way down the river to the Alexander III obelisk and eventually stopping at the Regional Museum was excellent. The museum, although small and limited, had English info – what a novelty !

Crossing town we passed a tennis court with a tiny little girl (barely taller than the net) being coached – serving ball after ball I guess she is heading toward tennis fame in 10 years or so. Should have gotten an autograph 🙂

The market area was teaming with students and the shop owners were able to answer my pathetic Russian in English – I was relieved. Peering at our map we were offered assistance in English by a passer by. I’m always skeptical of that kind of offer but in retrospect I think that my concern was unwarranted.

Stocked up at the supermarket for the 2 day train ride (and supplies that we won’t be able to get in China easily) we plonked ourselves down in the main park and watched people and pidgeons go about their days. V was very impressed with the price and condition of the parks public loos – Irkutsk gets a gold star in her book. More and more Mogolian/Asian faces appearing – we must be close now.

Our final destination on the very long hot walk back to the train station was a Soviet WWII memorial and eternal flame. The surrounding park was filled (well I counted 5) with wedding processions and their photographers. We’ve seen flocks of wedding parties out in the parks all around Russia on just about every day of the week. Limos and stretched Hummers are the order of the day here – seems like a good business to be in!

– Posted from my iPhone