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

On Wednesday, the simulations continued and we followed the same protocol here as for the ISS simulation: we put our spacesuits on, stood facing the table, picked an envelope and off we went for another simulation—in very good spirits. I had less tasks to carry out this time since the exercises were intended more for the commanding officer and the engineer. Once again, we received a perfect mark: 5 out of 5. We were proud as peacocks!

Following tradition, the two crews (us and the backups) invited the officials for drinks and hors d’oeuvres once the two simulations were over. We raised our vodka-filled glasses to this and to that… and it didn’t take long before we were all hugging, congratulating and thanking each other, paying compliments and offering words of support. It also didn’t take long for the clown in me to be slightly tipsy!

What followed afterwards was probably the most dangerous part of my training: pedaling my way back to my apartment, safe and sound! Keeping my balance was quite a challenge, as was avoiding all the obstacles on my path that the vodka had conveniently erased from my mind: holes in the road, wild—and truly terrorizing—dogs… and I forgot all the rest!

When I finally made it to my apartment, I succeeded in calling my love via Skype (I don’t think I was extremely coherent) and then plopped onto my bed fully dressed! At least I wasn’t aware of being attacked by mosquitoes that night. But maybe I killed them all with my new extra-strength vaporizer: my vodka-laced breath!