Greetings Fellow Golden Tenters!

Just a little note of possible interest, as well as an attempt to ward off any retroactive blame for a not-so-far past event. Let me explain.

From Naryan-Mar, I returned to Usinsk. From there, I did the obvious and took a train deeper into the Russian hinterlands, to a place called Vorkuta. Reading of the history of this city might be of interest to some. It’s a cool place, in every way. For example, last night I had a massage by a Thai woman and this morning the temperature was -18°F when I left the hotel (it will be colder where I’m headed).

This morning, I got on yet another train for the whole day, to go still further, this time to Labytnangi. That’s where the tracks end, but I will continue on to the city of Salekhard. To get there requires taking a ride on the ice road that crosses the Ob River, because there is no bridge.

At this very moment, the train has stopped for 40 minutes in the remote settlement of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The sun has set and only a hint of light is left in the sky. I just went for a little walk in the very cold, stark, snow-covered landscape, then hurried back to my compartment to warm up and send this message.

I wonder if anyone recognizes this name, Kharp, from an event that took place on February 16th, something that all of you are aware of.

To FGC: I had nothing to do with it! Honest!! Just checking to make sure the place actually exists. It does, I think. Or am I just dreaming it all up?!

BTW this message has been sent from my laptop, using my US phone as a hotspot. I have a US T-Mobile account that works everywhere in Russia, wherever there’s cell service, in spite of sanctions. So (as Jeff Childers would say).

Enjoy the golden days with silver linings 😉

Goldballoon

 

Giddy Up, silver!