The content of this post is an adaptation of an original text written by Guy Laliberté.

Tuesday, September 15, was another “protocol and tie” day, since it was our official visit with Mr. Anatoly Perminov, head of Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency. The main and backup crews were both present.

While we were waiting for Maxim and Sasha (the other commander), who were on their way back from a weekend in the country, we thought of escaping to McDonald’s but our doctors wouldn’t let us! To think that this is the first time I feel like eating junk food since I arrived here and it’s forbidden! We ended up in the Roscosmos canteen, which was just as well.

Our afternoon at Roscosmos was very pleasant, filled with good discussions, pictures, congratulations, gifts, etc.

That evening, I took part in a Noyau créatif(creative nucleus) of Cirque du Soleil held in Montréal, then made a few phone calls since my objective was to settle all work-related issues during the next two days. This was a “last call” of sorts since I wouldn’t be speaking to my team until possibly a week after my return to earth. I’m well prepared in terms of physical, theoretical and technical training. It’s now time for me to prepare myself mentally. Everyone here tells me to rest well, so I followed their advice that night and had a good night’s sleep!