Impressions of Irkutsk

My time in Irkutsk so far is already going by so fast somehow. I registered at the archive on Wednesday, and I have to wait until this Tuesday to start working there. In the meantime, I have certainly kept busy! I have visited museums, went for several long walks, bought some local history books, unpacked my things, made friends with my host family and their other guests, joined a gym, and even went to the grocery store. Pictured below, in order: 1: the room where I am staying in Irkutsk, on the 5th floor in a shared soviet-style apartment. It’s super cute! 😋 2. The front entrance of the apartment area, including me in my archive apparel 3. A monument to Alexander III, initiator of Trans-Siberian railway construction, that I came by on my walk 4. A view of the Soviet hall in the Irkutsk museum of regional studies 5. A really great 18th century German map of the city that is labeled and laid out. It was super cool to find this!