countdown: one week

After a bit of a delay due to visa issues, it looks like I'll be leaving for Russia in about a week. Back-to-back red-eyes later, I'll be in Abakan, Khakassia, and then will travel on to Kyzyl via bus (matrushka). Next post from an internet cafe in Siberia!

In the meantime, here's a map of Tuva's location (and the other two regions where I'll be doing my work) for armchair geographers:

Also of note, Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, was recently in Tuva; he occupied himself with a little horseback riding, a little swimming, and some fishing. This was all after his trip to the bottom of Lake Baikal.