we have arrived in omsk (siberia, mid-russia)
i have been reliably informed that this is the home town of the girlfriend of bruce, a friend of dave rocker.

last night we celebrated our triumph of reaching the half-way point in russia, and wilma making it to 100 000 miles (on the clock) by staying in a hotel. this was to be out first proper bed since leaving for dover. it proved to be quite the ordeal what with our getting lost and being completely unable to communicate our room requirements.

the first hotel was a disaster and once daddy established it as being dirty and got angry we swiftly left. the second hotel was fully booked by a football team- this was a suprise as the guide book had refered to the 'drab concrete block' as being 'very rarely full'. the third time was a charm- the receptionist even called her english speaking friend to help us book a room.

the hotel created a permanent and very special place in our hearts when we were serenaded by the local dj/singer/karaokee man in the restaurant.



we, the group, would now like to take the time to retell some amusing anecdotes that have have involved us during this trip (a backlog, if you will) that have unfortunately, up until this point, slipped our minds.

1. we have seen a stoke-like taxi with the phone number of 777 777 (lucky seven).

2. the whole car is really into 'thunderbirds are go' by busted and 'oh my god' by the kaiser chiefs. this first for obvious reasons; the second because it contains the line 'oh my god i can't believe it, i've never been this far away from home'. cool.

3. we have, as yet, been so inconspicous that we have only been stopped at the numerous police check points once. however, in the early hours of two days ago, daddy was hailed down but sped on through. we have been reliably informed that a slow speed chase ensued but the policeman didn't really care and went back into his hut. it was a close run thing that we were not stopped at the next police check point as daddy though that our descriptions would have been called through.

if you have managed, thank you.