Trip Diary
2013 Tournament of Roses Parade

On Sunday, December 16, 2012, Ondar and the Eagles of Tuva departing on their journey to California to participate in the 124th annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day!  Before leaving Kyzyl, they stopped at the monument to the Centre of Asia for a shamanic ceremony for good luck on their trip.

As seen in these photos supplied by Sergei Elovikov, Ondar (wearing the green robe) is accompanied bytwo Champion wrestlers: Eres Kara-Sal (in the red robe), and Seden-Ochur Kara-Sal (in white).  Note the medals on Ondar's chest!

The trio drove to Krasnoyarsk in 0° F (-17.8 °C) temperatures, then flew overnight to Vladivostok, where they interviewed for their visas at the US Consulate. They departed Vladivostok early on Sunday morning, December 23, and flew first to Beijing, China, and then on to San Francisco, California.

Click on any of the photos for a larger version.

Monument to the Centre of Asia.	Kongar-ool Ondar arrives.	Eres Kara-Sal and Seden-Ochur Kara-Sal arrive.
		Burning juniper.
	Shaman at work.
	Ready to hit the road!