Hello!

Hello from Ekaterinburg. The sand in the "hour glass" is running out, and our time here will soon be over. We have quite a lot on our schedule yet, so we are feeling the time limit now. I keep looking at my calendar and checking the days off...but it is not that I'm really anxious to leave, it is just that it is coming and I like seeing just how much time we have.
It is amazing how paths, bus routes, stores, etc. become familiar. I find my self cooking in a more "Russian" way. My scarf, hat, and warm boots feel "normal" and comfortable, even though it is not very cold yet.
One thing I find interesting and haven't mentioned is the way they pay the driver in the mini-buses. These carry from 11 to 15 passengers, and usually go a lot faster than the big trolleybuses. The fare is 20 rubles per person, and those in the back just pass the money to the next person ahead and it goes from hand to hand up to the driver. The change comes back the same way. This goes on through the whole route as some get off and others get on.
I hope to take my camera with me again on our next trip to Siberia, so may be able to send some more pictures.
Priscilla