In and around Lake Baikul

This morning I was up and out of the house before 8. I took a minibus to the bus station and boarded another van for Litsvyanka and the shores of Lake Baikul. I saw the lake, I tested the water's clarity, I tasted the fish. And then I wasn't sure what else to do.

It was cold when I arrived and a strong wind blew off the water. A Russian couple who had come up on the van with me took pictures of each other on the port. They had taken a number of photos from the back of the van on the way over. We kept running into each other in the few tourist shops that were open. We looked at postcards. We tried to stay warm.

I walked back towards Irkutsk along the water. I found a place to eat, but it was closed until noon. I found a small aquarium and watched the freshwater nerpa seals swim back and forth in their little tank. I looked at various fish that are endemic to the lake, and saw the omul and grayling that have comprised my dinner the past few nights.

I walked back towards Listvyanka. The weather had warmed considerably and the sun was shining. I passed people preparing to dive in the lake. A jogger passed me then paused. I passed her and she came running up behind a short while later. I looked at the lake and towards the snow-capped mountains that formed the horizon. In the morning, clouds had clung to their base but they had cleared.

I took a van back to the city. The day before I had already walked about the greater part of the city. Wedding parties took photos by the river and the eternal flame. The clip clop of high heels resounded throughout the quiet city. Today, the city was livlier. In the square in front of the circus pony and camel rides were offered. Children gathered waiting for the show to start. People sat and enjoyed the weather. I sat and enjoyed the afternoon. Tomorrow night, I'll be back aboard a train, this time a 35-hour journey across the border to Mongolia and Ulan Batur. Tonight, I'm enjoying another night of stasis.
Posted by eku at September 27, 2008 6:06 AM