On the morning of June 1 we arrived in Irkutsk after a 5 hour flight and a 5 hour time change.

The flight is longer than New York to Los Angeles but only crosses about a third of Russian airspace.

Irkutsk is 350 years old, settled by fur traders. The Trans Siberian Railroad grew the settlement into a city.

The Communists never bulldozed the old Siberian buildings.

However frost in Irtkutsk’ 50 below zero winters causes the buildings to warp.

A hot bowl of borscht is welcome on a chilly 40 F ( 4 C ) degree day in June.