UAZ 452

excossack · Post by **excossack** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:04 am

(before I irradiated my Niva.)
That sounds like the begining of an interesting topic!

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:50 pm

Stepping off the main thread a little, but inspired by "irradiated Niva", When I returned from my 1st trip to BY, I made several 'phone calls to various official/non-official bodies and organisations enquiring as to whether I could be tested for radiation levels in my body. The response from some was very interesting in as much as they were very suspicious and in one case I'm sure i sensed panic as to why I may have come into contact with the dreaded radiation. The upshot was that basically unless I could give a valid reason or was a high ranking official, tough sh1t mate. I was half expecting shadowy figures in anonymous dark cars to come round and interrogate me but so far not.
Anyways, 8 years down the line and 3 trips to the country affected by Chernobyl fallout, eating local produce and inhaling large amounts of dust during building work, I'm still here. (An extra thumb on each foot is useful though).
On a serious note, we were reliably informed that for the amount of time we were there (14 days at a time) Our bodies could cope with getting rid of any radiation we may have been exposed to. Worryingly though, the females of child-bearing age were advised not to get pregnant for at least 4 years!
The main problem is living there permanently with no chance for the body to dispel the radiation.

crb247 · Post by **crb247** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:32 pm

If you were over here all we would have to do is try and bring you across the US border. My wife's friend can't cross because the radiation from one of her treatments sets off the scanners

pmark23 · Post by **pmark23** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:47 am

excossack wrote:(before I irradiated my Niva.)
That sounds like the begining of an interesting topic!

I've been meaning to post a travel journal, but haven't had the time.

But here's a couple snaps...

At a UN nuclear-testing camp deep within the Polygon. You'll notice one of the UAZs in the background.

Here's yours truly (with obligatory "Director's Beard") at the lip of a 2-kilotonne blast crater.

I also parked exactly on the epicentre of the first Soviet nuclear blast, but it was too radioactive to stay long enough to take a picture.

Action shot. Camera is a Sony CineAlta F900R. Not only worth more than the Niva, but worth more than about 100 Nivas.

Luv-my-niva · Post by **Luv-my-niva** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:37 pm

nice photos, very nice anymore?

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:30 pm

Yes, more more. And the story behind the blast crater if you have time!

Luv-my-niva · Post by **Luv-my-niva** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:16 pm

If you have more or have posted them elsewhere they would be great to see