Magadan

August 18, 1996

Magically it's Sunday. We've crossed the international dateline.

I seem to be one of the few who's not leaping at the opportunity to spend a few minutes in the transit lounge at Magadan airport. One passenger is so eager for a smoke he has the unlit cigarette in his mouth as he's getting off the plane.

My seatmate says she's never been to Magadan but she has a friend who grew up here so she's getting off to check out the transit lounge as her first experience of Magadan.

My seatmate reports the lounge is not separated into smoking and non-smoking and most people got off there to smoke. Glad I stayed on the plane.

Khabarovsk

August 18,1996

We're refueling again. Most of the passengers are getting off here. The flight will be fairly empty to Vladivostok.

Vladivostok

August 18, 1996

8:30 PM: I'm about ready to drop. Sergey and his wife Nina meet me at the airport. Nina drives. Sergey doesn't. The road from the airport to downtown Vladivostok is littered with broken down Japanese cars and accidents. Many accidents. No one seems to know how to drive.

At the Hotel Vladivostok, Sergey helps me check in and warns me that the electric outlets are 220 - he holds up the plug from the fridge and says "Attention Please". I didn't bring a hair dryer or any other appliances anyway so it doesn't matter.

The view of Amursky Bay from my room is spectacular. The sun is a big red ball disappearing into the gray-blue bay with sailboats gliding silently by. I take a picture and go to bed.

Moments later I am awakened by the phone. I pick it up. "Pretty girls, massage, sex, $100". "What?" "Pretty girls, massage, sex, $100." "No thanks." I went back to bed.

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