Our Russian "motu" barbecue in the river hamlet of Sivirstroy has been rained out so we are anxiously waiting to see how they transform the planned menu of grilled shashlik into an inside meal. We are about 100 miles from St Petersburg at this point on the Svir River, having spent the last day on Lake Onega, the 2nd largest lake in Europe. We all thought we were cruising on a lake in Maine.

This morning's lecture was a round table for Q&A about contemporary Russia featuring Lara our lecturer and three young staff members, all university students, including our own Nastya holding forth on topics such as tactics used by guys in trying to avoid their year of military service, difficulties in getting travel visas and other topics posed by the passengers. Andi will no doubt recap.

Since this is our last night before our 3 days in St Petersburg the captain's gala farewell is on tap for tonight. We shall see how they transform Steak Diana... I am so sorry i forgot my camera at yesterday's lunch as i am sure you all would have marveled at the "tree stump" dessert. 

Hopefully I will be able to get some photos from yesterday's stop at Kitzhi Island uploaded too.