russ on the web

After walking by his Mausoleum for three days, I finally decided to visit the 'ol chap. I got their just in time for opening, so that the line was at is shortest. It was already blazing hot. And I was the local amusement as the only white person in line. After going through a byzantine procedure to drop off my camera (take a card, take a bag, give the bag to someone else, give the card to office, get another card, drop off card and camera, pick up another card, give it to another office)-- photos prohibited-- I walked around front and entered the building. Everyone had to be stone silent, respectful, and keep moving. I probably had 20 seconds looking at the man, lying down on his back, inside a Pope-mobile like coffin, glowing an unnatural orange-pink, like an illuminated Mentos candy of the same color.

To kill some time, I headed to a nearby botanical garden, where I stumbled upon a few intricately posed wedding photos-in-process. I stole a few images myself, made a tour of the place, and headed back to my guesthouse.