Happy Independence Day from Moscow! We arrived safely; no bags lost, no injuries, and no deportation! A good trip by any standards – so far. In order to stave off jetlag we skipped sleeping and explored Red Square, the of the city of home of world famous landmarks like the Kremlin. We got a tour OF St. Basil’s Cathedral, and heard the voicies of an amazing quartet echoing among the frescoes and the spire towering overhead. After that we saw the Spiritual Center of Russia – a point from which all distances in Russia are measured. Lydia and Erin made a wish for a productive Polaris project by standing in the center and throwing coins over their shoulders. After getting back to the hotel we stayed awake long enough for crab flavored Lays, apple dumplings, and the latest world cup game where Germany triumped (some were more excited than others for that).

Riding the bus to Red Square. Very tired.

This morning, we woke up full of energy and ignoring the fact that our days and nights have been switched. Then we had an round of Academic Speed Dating – sharing project ideas and learning more about ongoing researc h around Cherskiy.

After a good Russian lunch of new foods and really hot tea we got back on the bus for, unbelievably, another 7 hour flight to get across Russia from Moscow to Yakutsk. We’re looking forward to getting to Cherskiy and settling into our barge home.

More updates soon!

The New Kids (Melissa, Kate, Emily, Cassandra, Elliot, Sam, Andrew, Max, and Lydia)