Sunday 21th February Postcard

Dear all,

After a long working Saturday (back at the hotel at 21:00, see previous note), we were kindly invited by the Russians in the yurt restaurant of Baikonur for diner.

On the right side of the table: (from right to left):

• the Kosmotras team: Yuri, Vladimir (the interpreter), Alexander,
  
• and the 2 doctors: the new one, and Andrei (who leaves Turyatam tomorrow by train to Moscow - a 48 hours trip!).

During his stay, Andrei has been an essential link between the "Russian culture" and the team. He has been highly appreciated for his culture, his open mind, his friendship by the whole CS-2 team. We shall certainly miss him.
I take this opportunity to warmly welcome our new Doctor, Igor.

Not visible on the picture (above) , and sat on the Yuri's right was Dimitri Ivanovitch Chistjakov, Deputy Director Baikonur Cosmodrome (ex director of FKC). It was a big honour to have such a high ranking Russian figure within us.

On the other side of the table: the ESA and Astrium team.


We got a mixture of kazakh food

• Баурса́ки, Bayrsaki (or Boorstog)
  
• Плов, plov (or Pilav)
  
• Казы́ , Kazy (horse meat with sausage shape, served cold)
• Ма́нты Manti (large ravioi stuffed with horse meat)

.. this being served, it goes without saying, with vodka.

The picture below shows a bit in more details how the yurt is decorated


Today, Sunday, was a beautiful sunny day with a slightly positive temperature at noon. Ice was slowly melting and some streets and paths became muddy and slippery.

Many people were staying outside and the Baikonur market busy as usual.

Ice scream selling on the market does not seem anymore a desperate activity (and as you can see, despite partial warming the container still does not need power supply :-)


But the winter is not over as it is reminded to us by these nice wool handcraft items.
How to resist not to buy a pair of these sexy socks! :-)


Take care as we do here,

From Russia with love!

Kirill B.