Author:Norbert Folser

Dear Elena ! Back from the USSR ! We returned well yesterday evening to Austria after a really sensational trip. Ingrid and I we are ok, and we are still now in dreams of winter Baikal. Thanks a lot for sensational organization and excellent support. It was really a great journey and we are just making plans for the next opportunity to come to our beloved Russia. In the moment, the pictures are ready I´ll send you some examples of the highlights of our trip,especially of " The winter night on Baikal" with " Alligator" and the pale moon in the background, an unforgettable night ! Many kisses from Ingrid and me and once again a cordial Thank You, Yours Norbert !

Author:Dana Isherwood

Dear Elena: We had a wonderful time taking the Trans Siberian Express from Beijing to Moscow. Our week in Irkutsk and Baikal was especially interesting. Using the Hovercraft to get around Baikal in May was the perfect choice as the ice was still intact around Elkhorn Island and in various other parts of our journey. We had good weather for most of the days. I doubt many foreigners have seen Baikal in May. It is quite beautiful. A few flowers, a bit of green, bare trees, and the lake ice. We used the hovercraft to look for Narpas on the ice and with binoculars were able to see quite a few-none close-up of course as we didn't want to disturb them. Best wishes, Dana Isherwood

Author:Dee Longenbaugh

Hello, I simply wanted to write a thank-you to the good people of Irkutsk for their hospitality, generosity, and general pleasantness during the recent Third International Conference on Russian America. I had attended the first two meetings, which were interesting, but found the third even more so as we were at the home of the Russian American Company and very near the glass factory that had belonged to Alexander Baranov, the pivotal first chief manager of the firm. As most of the U.S. attendees, including myself, speak no Russian, it was invaluable to have good translators. Personally, I want to thank Tatiana Sitnikova (“Grand Baikal” LLC) for her attention to detail, generous contributions, and knowledge of the English language. It would have been very helpful if she could have spent more time at the conference as Larisa was often overburdened with details. At any rate, thank you again. I look forward to welcoming all of you at the Fourth International Conference on Russian America. Best Wishes, Dee Longenbaugh