Baikal in the Rain.....

Slept until 8am today while going to bed at 10pm. Don't usually sleep like that but it felt good. Jumped up and grabbed some toast before heading out the door. Wanted an earlier start to go out to Lake Baikal. It was raining on and off all last night and this morning when I headed outside. Was told bus number 66 would get me to the bus station. I jumped on the 66 and headed out. Cost me 15 rubles or about 30 cents. Kind of lost track on where I was and after asking a few people with no response I just was going to have to wing it. Passed by a stop that had a pile of minibuses and a building that could be a bus station. So I got off and went back to the station. Wrong move! Not the station and now I was not sure where I was.

Asked an older fellow who gestured enough to send me off in the direction I had just come from. At the nearest intersection I was looking around and noticed at sign post that pointed direction for points of interest (in English). Just happened the bus depot was on the sign. Followed the signs and arrived at the depot. I have to believe I have a little bit of luck working for me. After a little gesturing, pointing, and patience, I got my bus ticket to Lake Baikal. Arrived at the Lake around noon, which wasn't bad considering all the fooling around. It was cold. Katelyn had messaged me to take my puffy down jacket and of course I told her I didn't need it. Definitely could have used it, but you always can find a way. I bought a cheap plastic rain jacket for $6 and I was good. It kept the wind and rain out and the warmth in. Spent about 4 hours at Lake Baikal walking up and down the coast. Couldn't hike because the cloud was too low and you wouldn't see anything. From what I saw it is a very nice place surrounded by hills and cliffs. Very green with lots of trees around a big deep lake. Quite spectacular I think! Just couldn't see across the lake or very high up so it probably was a lot better than what I saw. Sad part is tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 25. I leave for Mongolia tomorrow so I won't be able to come back. Oh well,

sometimes it works and sometimes not. I have heard that the Russia/Mongolia border takes about 6 hours to cross as they work everyone over on both sides. I have all my paperwork in order so I am not worried. Kind of excited to see the process and to finally get to Mongolia which I have thought about for many years. Hoping all goes well and I do my next entry from the great Ulan Bator!