Getting ready for the day...

Several factors conspired yesterday to bring the museum group back late.

First, the person looking out for the group's security made it clear there were no time constraints on the group. (Usually, during such trips, the security person chronically points at his or her wristwatch, reminding everyone of the need to speed things up.)

This gave the museum's guide an opportunity to demonstrate her extensive command of information related to the exhibits, which in turn gave the visitors a greater scope of subjects about which to ask questions, and made it possible for them to visit not only the museum proper, but the cabins in which Gagarin and Korolev lived while preparing for the former's orbital mission, as well as the launch pad from which the mission was flown.

There is supposed to be some kind of parade in Baikonur city today, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory Day. As almost no Russian military forces remain stationed at Baikonur these days (certainly nowhere near the over 1 million personnel who worked here back in the day), it's doubtful that the parade will be any sort of grand affair, but I'll be on the bus to town anyway.

But only if I get myself together in time. :)

Cheers...