Sunday morning: Went to Orthodox service in main church, also in reconstructed medieval church (pic). Was blessed by priests, twice. May need it, because of evening news.
Afternoon: open-air festival at nearby village of indigenous people. Several yurts set up for visitors with stoves inside. Seriously cute kids.
Return: Arctic Circle marker is on outskirts of town. Picture shows my reflection directly on top of the line.
Evening news:
Situation setting up for possibility of giant screw-up.
(1). Vassili and the truck are not on the island yet – 700 km done, 80 km still to go. Unknown mechanical problem has reduced them to walking speed. No contact until next scheduled satellite call tomorrow mid-morning. Once they do arrive, at least 2 days’ setting up. But:
(2). Pilot says we can fly out only on Tuesday. Snowstorms coming, no flying after Wednesday. 5 hours each way. Leave 4 AM, arrive 9 AM. But:
(3). Pilot also “seems” to have said that we can fly out on Tues, return Weds as long as we take off ahead of storm on Weds. This implies overnight on Bely, but no facilities there other than 2-room weather station. If wx goes bad quickly, we could be stuck with nothing more than what we’re wearing (no weight for ‘luggage’ on bush plane). If plane fails to take off ahead of storm, not clear how much work it would be to clear landing strip for takeoff.
(4). No extra food for us there, must take.
(5). Vassili and truck crew “might” need 10 days to get back, if truck reduced to walking speed. No-one knows if they have enough food.
(6) Olga informed me that she gets seriously airsick, will need to lie down in plane (where?) and may be incapacitated for hours upon arrival.
(7) Olga totally freaked out, on phone all the time. Her laptop still on Moscow time = 2 hours different. We missed dinner here, restaurant closed at 9 PM on Sunday, she thought it was only 7.
(8) Vassili’s truck may break down completely.
(9) to save (her) money, Olga wants us to check out of this hotel at 4 AM on Tuesday.
Me? – I’m just along for the ride. Picture in front of one of the original settlement cabins 100+ years ago.
Wish me luck and fortitude (both mental and physical, {+1})
