Aug 7th A Day of Rest

Could get used to these bed things... even more comfortable than a reclining seat in a 2CV! Go down to breakfast and find stew and potatoes palatable if a bit of a shock. While we are eating we get a text from team ‘Plane Broke’ who have met up with team ‘Baron Von Ungern – Sternburg’s Revenge’. They had spent most of the previous night in the casino in our hotel and were now with them at a garage on the outskirts of the city and ready to leave. Luckily Marvin starts first time and we go and meet up with them. It's good to swap stories with them but its soon time for them to leave and us to return to see to our jobs!

We attempt to get our visas stamped at the hotel reception, only to be told they are forbidden from doing this and we must go to the local immigration office. They hire us a taxi and we are taken to the customs building. After much waving of hands and attempts to explain what we need, and several long waits in different rooms, we complete a form to the best of our ability and are taken to another office where soon the deed is done. Surprisingly our taxi driver is still waiting outside for us and he takes us back to the hotel.

We then take Marvin to a garage to find out if anything can be done for him. The mechanic drops what he is doing and willingly attends to Marvin with a small crowd looking on at the strange little car. After Neil explains in mime how to grease the king pins, the job is soon done. Marvin refuses to start, so up with the bonnet and soon everyone is offering their advice. Plugs are changed and checked, wires wiggled, heads scratched and next time we try he starts straight away. When we offer them money they won’t accept any payment. Then they see a packet of red Marlboro and accept 20 as way of payment.

Most of the day is gone and so after a trip round the supermarket to get some food we retire to our room for a picnic! Neil has worked out that last nights drinks were so expensive because they have to import the brandy Jan had had so we head down to the bar in the lobby to test the theory Jan’s drink is a double vodka and sprite and Neil's a pint of the Baltica beer which is much easier on the pocket. More texts are sent and families phoned and after a couple of drinks we retire to bed.