March 25, 2003
Rastafarian in Siberia
In a bold publicity stunt, Rastafarian singer Lenky Roy agreed to go to Siberia to promote his new album called, you guessed it, Siberia. With the war in Iraq stealing all of the media attention from this extreme cross-cultural and cross-country adventure, I decided Lenky and his posse could use all the help they can get. (Plus, I know how difficult it is to publicize anything, for example a book, about Siberia here in the US, especially if you're trying to break the stereotype bonds of gloom and gulags.)
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Wired Magazine has some video footage as well as excerpts from one of the participant's diary. Unfortunately, it's not easy to find the online adventure on the Wired website unless you know it's there. Even then, it's difficult to navigate. So, I've done all the searching and listed the video clips and diary entries below:
Videos:
Lenky's arrival in Siberia.
Lenky donning some impressive fur outfits while visiting a Siberian fur factory
A tired Lenky greets the sparse press corps.
Lenky screaming during a raindeer sleigh ride.
My favorite clip: Lenky fumes as he preps for his first and probably last gig in Yakutia.
Audio:
Interview with Lenky.
Photos:
Introductory pictures of Lenky, Jamaica and Yakutia.
Gallery of later shots.
The road rally, complete with rollover
Final shots
Text:
Article introducing Lenky and his Siberian plan.
Jim Hall's Diary
Day 1: From Russia With Gloves
Day 2: Landing Safely in Siberia
Day 4: Fur Coats and Horsemeat
Day 5: Waiting for the Shaman
Day 6-7 The Winter of Lenky's Discontent
Day 8-9 Trying to Find That Reggae Beat
Day 10-11 Good Morning, Yakutsk. You OK?
Day 15-16 You Got Any Fresh Fruit, Mon?
Day 17-18 Siberian Race Starts With a Bang
Day 19-20 Eureka! The Pole of the Cold
Day 22 Tomtor Village