I’ve arrived in Murmansk after 30+ hours of flying. Strange to think that 30 hours can land you – quite literally – on the other side of the world. I connected with two of the American guides – Patrick Brennan and Barrett Mattison – in Moscow and flew final leg with them. We were picked up in Murmansk by some of the Ponoi River Company team and brought to our hotel for the night.
You have to love an airport where they unload luggage into ancient pickup trucks and the baggage claim are is about the size of a decent barn stall. Made me think of Montana.
This morning we connected with three more guides – Boris Mamantoff of Argentina, Angus Walton of Scotland, and Matthew Solon from Ireland. The six of us were escorted through a morning of medical tests at various locations all over Murmansk, patiently led by Julia and Sasha from the PRC. I’m thrilled to be finished with day one of testing and will be even happier when we’re done with tomorrow’s medical rounds. I’m not a huge fan of hospitals in the States, and especially not when I don’t speak the same language as the staff.
But for now I have a few hours to catch up on some rest (in reality, catch up on some work). Russia already feels a bit like home; after being in Texas the simple sight of evergreen trees brings me comfort. I can stand at my room window and see the Kola Bay, a finger of the Barent’s Sea, and the busy shipping port of Murmansk. Polyarnie is just around the corner up the sound.
It all seems a bit surreal.
I’m beginning to pick up a few basic Russian phrases and am anxious to learn more. A smile and gestures can get you far, but it’s always nice to be able to have some form of conversation.
I have one more day in Murmansk, then drive to the helicopter base, a two or three hour drive, Wednesday morning. It’s a two+ hour ride in an old Mi-8 to Ryabaga Camp. I’m anxious to get there and get the lay of the land!
