Hey team,

Holly here. I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m still alive and I made it back ok…just ten pounds lighter (new Russian dieting technique?). Turns out that food poisoning was likely (I think it was that soup that Katie and I both ate in the airport…but she only had a cup). It was compounded by the  strong antibiotics that I had just finished for a sinus infection, which pretty much destroyed my stomach. All and all, it was just very unfortunate timing and some serious bad luck. Needless to say, I’m pretty devastated. I’m struggling to find something positive in it…if not just the experience of being sick in a foreign country and learning how to deal and be better prepared.

I do sincerely wish you all the best with travel and research and experiencing a new and beautiful place. Stay healthy! (I hear vodka is an often prescribed cure the the common cold.. 😉 Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help from home…even if it’s just trying to ID plants from photos!

Andy, thank you so much for your care and kindness….and Kate, you saved my life. I could never repay you.

Happy travels!