Siberia is one big "Man-Test"

...and so far I'm about a C+. I'm still in the game, but I'm clearly not cut from the same cloth as the men here. They're like tough, weathered burlap, with camouflage patterns. I'm more like fuschia velveteen. Still, everyone has been very friendly and understanding of the micro-softie's shortcomings. The tests so far have included:

• Swimming laps in a pro-size pool until my arms could no longer take it.
  


• Playing tennis in the blistering sun with Oleg and some friends. I'm happy to report my shots went over the net as often as not. Still, I need lots of practice. I'll corner Drew when we get back for some tutoring.
  


• Going car-camping and fishing on a nearby river. I kept my cool while Oleg navigated his brand-new Corolla over rocky roads, steep crevices, and through knee-deep mud holes. But I lost it when a swarm of angry bees followed the car for miles, hurling themselves at the windows and trying desperately to get in. We must have run over their queen or something, because they would not let up until the rain finally made them stop.
  
  At some point the car could go no further, so Oleg's friends came to get us in their home-built gun boat (painted military green of course.) We powered down the delta at 40km/hr and made it to base camp, where they served us freshly caught and smoked fish. Yum!

All in all it's been great, outdoorsy fun. We'll see what the next few days have in store!