Welcoming orchestra on Amour

Our arrival in Blagovenshenk is truly impressive. The municipality's orchestra welcomes us in music. Children are holding a large banner and women in folkloric costumes are singing and offering us a bread of friendship. On top of that three TV channels are present. We have to pinch ourselves to be sure it's for real. The vice-mayor gives a welcoming speech, and we are rapidly led to a luxury coach.

Just on the other side of the river Amour, the buildings of the Chinese twin city of Blagovenshenk can be seen. Though the city and its inhabitants look far less Asian than the ones of Ulan-Ude, we get a special treat for dinner with a Chinese feast. This makes a considerable change in our ordinary diet. The chef has prepared for us spicy minced beef, fried shrimps, spring rolls, fish wrapped in aluminium foils, sautéed vegetables, caramelised pork ribs, etc. Surprisingly, the restaurant even has bottles of Barbaresco, a good Italian wine from Piemonte. After the banya at the lake Baikal, the Chinese feast in Blagovenshenk is another decisive moment to keep the morale of troops up. Now everybody is ready for editing...