Ohio State Catches Baikal Fever

Ohio State University is now starting an environmental study abroad program dealing with environmental issues in Siberia, as well as language and culture. The program is based in Tomsk, but will include trips to other important sites, including Baikal - the most important of them all. The program looks like a good introduction to environmental issues, as well as Russian language and culture. The deadline for applications this year has passed, but hopefully the program will be a success and continue in the future, introducing more people to the beauty of Baikal.

Here's the program's website which contains all the basic information, hopefully they'll update it with pictures of their travels this summer:

http://cfaes.osu.edu/current-students/get-involved/folder.2007-11-06.3186332430/russia/

Я Люблю Choco-Pie

On our trip to Russia, we became quite fond of Choco-Pies. Our liking for them started on the Trans-Siberian railroad, when they would come with our tea (for an extra charge, of course). We developed a love for the chocolate-coated spongey cakes filled with marshmallow. The phrase "Я Люблю Choco-Pie" even became a bit of an inside joke. On returning to the States, and subsequently moving to England, I had forgotten about the brief summer affair with the mass-produced pastry. Today a friend asked me to go shopping with her at the local(ish) Japanese grocery. Much to my suprise, I found some Choco-Pies there, sitting on the shelf and begging to be purchased. I complied, and am now happily reunited with the junk food.

Something invisible and magic.

Finally I have opportunity to post great photos by Emma Pratt taken august 2007.











More here.