To NIZHNY NOVGOROD and back again - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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To NIZHNY NOVGOROD and back again
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Posted by: solstice

So here I was all set for a smooth journey much like the one I experienced from Phoenix to Ukraine last year. Little did I know as I boarded the American Airlines flight to Dallas it was not in the stars. First I have to say that these days flying on a US airline is like being caught up in one big sales pitch beginning with the announcement that peanuts are no longer offered because of the allergic reaction some people might have. “However for your pleasure we do offer chips etc. for $4 and we will be coming down the isles offering duty free items for your purchase”. In the mean time please enjoy our video of what’s up and coming in new shows offered on CBS complete with commercials. And for your extended viewing pleasure we offer a selection from one of our outdated movies. WOW, that will make the time go by faster.
Well getting through Dallas airport was no problem but sitting on the tarmac for an hour due to the fact we got out late was. Obviously my Dallas flight landed at NY late, 4:25, my Delta flight to Moscow leaves at 4:30. As I attempted the 4 minute mile scrambling through JFK trying to get to the Delta gate I was hoping they also would be delayed in pulling out.
Standing at the gate sweating like a pig looking at the empty slot where the plane was suposed to be is my obvious answer “nyet”. So I spend another 30 minutes finding the Delta desk only to be told the next flight I can get on is the next day at 4:30. At this point I’m thinking since my lady’s on a train to Moscow to meet me how am I going to let her know I won’t be there.
So I’m added to the flight for the following day and not looking forward to spending the night at JFK. I make my way back on the train across the terminals to American Airlines and after venting to several employees about how they screwed up my plans I miraculously find someone that actually cares enough to find me a way out of JFK to Paris then on Air France into Moscow. The only obvious drawback is it’s going to be 4 hours later than I had planed but at least I’m moving and in the right direction, more or less. Time goes by and guess what, we’re on the tarmac waiting again. I’ve got like an hour from the time I touch down in Paris until my flight leaves for Moscow. Finally after about 40 minutes with our seats and trays in the upright position we taxi out and we’re on our way over the Atlantic. The Paris challenge is yet to come.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I've been to JFK twice and everytime I go something bad happens. I think the airport is jinxed. My plane was late both times. The take off was delayed 2 hours and the take off and landing were very scarry!!! I never saw a flight attendent so rattled by a take off. I think she thought, as I, that we're not going to make it! I now avoid this airport.

Looking forward to the rest of your story.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

WOW, you're not going to believe this! JFK had a terror plot stopped. They were going to blow it up and the neighborhood using existing fuel lines! Jinxed I tell you!

http://www.wwmt.com/news/say_36261_...urday_fuel.html

Posted by: solstice

My first experience with the Charles de Gaulle Airport was one of utter confusion. After deplaning, the entire planeload of people and myself were ushered along the terminal into the pure mayhem of more people attempting to find their way in unfamiliar surroundings. Using the little French I knew I cornered someone that appeared to be connected to the airport. Explaining as well as I could that I had a short time before my plane left for Moscow he pointed me in a direction that skirted around the multitude of people in front of me and into a smaller group of about 60 people that looked just as confused. I found out that I needed to be at terminal “C” and it appeared the only way to get there was by bus. So jamming myself into the next bus I spent the next 20 minutes traveling around the airport only to find myself at the terminal next to the one I started out from. Up the steps and through the array of security checks I was told the ticket I had needed to be exchanged for a boarding pass. Back out into the lobby searching for the Air France counter I’m now wondering if I’m about to spend the night in France. Air France spends about 10 minutes getting me a seat and its back to the security area. Finally I’m in the gate area and find my flight in the final process of boarding.
Breathing easier now and settling into my assigned seat I can’t help but notice the flight attendants all of which are female, I have to say Air France has got some very nice flight crews. After several minutes we’re in the air and being served one of the best in flight meals I’ve ever had including a fine offering of wine or Champagne. So here I am on my final leg into Moscow sipping fine wine and thinking the worst is behind me. Little did I know the fun and games were to continue.

Posted by: chippie

[QUOTE=solstice]So here I was all set for a smooth journey much like the one I experienced from Phoenix to Ukraine last year. Little did I know as I boarded the American Airlines flight to Dallas it was not in the stars. First I have to say that these days flying on a US airline is like being caught up in one big sales pitch beginning with the announcement that peanuts are no longer offered because of the allergic reaction some people might have. “However for your pleasure we do offer chips etc. for $4 and we will be coming down the isles offering duty free items for your purchase”. In the mean time please enjoy our video of what’s up and coming in new shows offered on CBS complete with commercials. And for your extended viewing pleasure we offer a selection from one of our outdated movies. WOW, that will make the time go by faster.

Solstice,

Join the crowd. I have flown American to Charles de Gaulle several times and had nothing but problems. When searching for a flight to Belarus now, I avoid American like the plague. I have had good luck with Lufthansa (uses United for some legs), and Also Aeroflot.
I stay away from American at all costs.

chippie

Posted by: solstice

Well better late than never, I finally arrived at Moscow SVO and since I’ve experienced the entry in Ukraine I kind of had an idea of what to look forward to. Sure enough it was everything I expected and more. One hour and fifteen minutes later I find myself alone looking at an empty baggage conveyor belt. Gee I always wanted to experience lost luggage while in a foreign country now I had my chance. It seems that somewhere between Dallas and Moscow while I was heading east my bags decided to take a vacation of their own in Atlanta. Filling out the lost baggage forms was another joyful experience I can now complete in my journal of things I wanted to do in life. Well on the positive side it sure saved me some time from having to go through a baggage check. So here I am in the airport lobby looking for Nataly who traveled 5 hours by train to meet me.
Uh I’m looking, looking I see no Nataly. As you can imagine it wasn’t too difficult finding a Taxi driver (shades of Kiev), I find one (or he finds me) and I try to explain my situation. I apparently got through to him and before I know it he’s on his mobile trying to call Nataly. After several tries he gets through and we discover she’s on a bus back to Nizhny. My driver explains to Nataly what happened and we decide that since I had two rooms reserved I’ll use one of them and stay overnight in Moscow then grab the train to her city the following day. By now I am completely exhausted and just want to get to the hotel. I find out the ride is going to cost me about $45 USD but at this point I’d pay just about anything. It was a good distance to the hotel and I have to admit for the price I was paying for a room ($145 USD) it was a decent place and included breakfast. I make an attempt to place the clothes I’ve been wearing for the past 27 hours or so in a way that they might look presentable for the next day. Then in for a quick shower and into bed for a quick trip off to la-la land. Tomorrow was going be another exhilarating day.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Sorry about all your bad luck ... I hope it gets better!

Posted by: Chrismc

What a bummer Solstice, I guess we all have to go through the lost baggage experience at least once in our lives, it is life

mine took a five day detour

it didn't like Ukraine so it stayed in Holland for a few days extra

Goodluck with the rest of your trip

Posted by: solstice

I woke up early for 2 reasons; first I wanted to jump on that free breakfast, second I needed to find out if my bag was still back in the states. The buffet breakfast was pretty good and after a second helping I went back to my room and started calling the number I was given for my luggage. Shortly after I started calling I got a call from the front desk saying that Nataly has a friend who has a daughter going to university in Moscow and she will be stopping by to help me out. I knew I was going to need all the help I could get as each time I called the baggage number I’d get a busy or no answer when it did ring. After 40 minutes of calling Katrina shows up and says Nataly spent 2 hours tracking down my baggage and I can pick it up at the airport. Well I have to tell you I was impressed, there are not many women that would take the initiative to do what Nataly had done to find my bags. So Katrina and I are off to the airport, one hour later and after traveling throughout the back corridors it appears no one knows anything about my luggage. I have to say without Katrina’s help I’d probably still be there looking. By this time I am really impressed with the helpfulness of the Russian people and this feeling continued throughout my whole trip. As a last attempt we go back to the original people I talked with. Katrina she tells me to sit down and wait while she talks with them. So I’m sitting there frustrated as can be when I happen to glance over at some bags, one of them looks like mine, off I go and sure enough there’s my bag. With a big WOO-HOO I sign a paper and off we go to the customs guy. Well it turns out he doesn’t feel like firing up his x ray machine so he says “go”, no need to tell me twice out the door into our taxi and it’s off to the train station.
Katrina checks the schedule and sees the train will be leaving shortly, I pay for my ticket and get my passport checked and we rush up to the tracks. We find the car I’m supposed to be on and the confusion begins. I try to explain to Katrina that I’m not sure where I need to get off, will someone announce it, and how will I know. Well I cannot get Katrina to understand my confusion; I could end up in Siberia for all I know. So here’s Katrina rushing me on board and I’m wondering where the hell I am going. Well I figure WTF it’s an adventure isn’t it so wherever I end up it’ll be just that. I find my compartment and I’m now thinking this is pretty cool not at all what I expected. It was like the Orient Express only not as fashionable, and you could almost picture Bogie meeting up with Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet down in the dining car. The compartment had 2 beds with a table between and 2 bunks up top. There was a box lunch on the table and pillows with clean covers to put on and blankets. It turns out the only other person with me is a young woman named Olga and she knew English enough to tell me that the train only goes as far as Nizhny. I’m sure Katrina knew this and as the train pulls out and I’m waving goodbye she was probably thinking what is this crazy American talking about. Siberia?
It was really a great trip lasting 5 or so hours stopping in Vladimir to change engines. All this time I had a great conversation with Olga about Russia as we shared coffee and had our box lunches and she pointed out many things along the way. Things were looking up as the train pulled into Nizhny. I thanked Olga for her company and my curiosity was running high after traveling so far to meet Nataly for the first time.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I'm enjoying the story Soltice ... "crazy American" ... I'm sure many Russians have thought this! LOL I hope all turns out well and good luck!

Posted by: solstice

Hey GTR thanks for stopping by, I've been reading over your travels as well.

Posted by: solstice

It didn’t take long for Nataly to find me which was great since she was a little shorter than I pictured her so it probably would have taken me longer to find her, but hey good things come in small packages. The station was packed so we really didn’t have time to say hello formally, it was enough to get out of the station. She had brought her girlfriend along since she had a car, so off we go through town to the apartment Nataly had picked out for me. I had the same excitement traveling through Nizhny as I did Kiev, it seems once you’ve gone through the anxiety of that first big overseas trip all the others are a lot more interesting and not quite as fear-provoking. I was not quite sure what to expect for an apartment because I really didn’t know Nataly’s tastes. We pulled up along this street and I can see it looks like a pretty nice area. Well the entrance to the apartment was a lot like the one in Kiev, rustic to say the least. In the back of this building, up the stairwell to the 2nd floor to the BIG iron door that opens into another small corridor then another door. Was this an apartment or a bank? As it turns out Nataly did a good job of finding a nice place. There was a foyer, living room, bedroom, kitchen and bath. It was all a fairly good sized apartment all for $600 for seven days.
So now we have time for better intro’s and I can see Nataly is just as her picture. Attractive, put together fairly well and a winning smile. She speaks a little English but I was ready and brought my global translator and Eng/Russian dictionary. It was funny that she had her own Russian/Eng dictionary. I have to say we did pretty well with our conversations, I know a little Russian, the important phrases that is, and the alphabet so it was a great learning experience for me and I’m sure for her as well. Nataly had brought some food that she had cooked up and shortly after her girlfriend left her son arrives to say hello. He then goes out to get some other food stuff that I may need and also some wine so we can eat when he returns. We spend the rest of the evening getting acquainted and I pass out the gifts I brought before her son has to leave for work and then shortly after Nataly has to go so she can stop in to her work for awhile early the next day. We share a nice hug and agree that she will come by early tomorrow afternoon when we can decide what to do that day. All in all it was a great day and after a warm shower I fall into bed feeling pretty good about the events of the day and about being so far from home. Drifting off I think also about my luck in finding a fine woman.

Posted by: azamuner

Wow...that's quite an adventure so far and you've only started.
Keep it up, I'm hooked!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Good point Solstice, the 2nd trip is not as stressfl as the 1st and you can relax and enjoy yourself more. I remember my 2nd and 3rd trip much better then my first but I have special memories from my first trip.

Yes, apartments are locked up like Fort Knox but the locks are usually not very strong.

Glad to see the first day went well.

Posted by: chippie

Solstice,

I agree with GTR. The first time I went to Belarus the stress level was so high it took a while to enjoy the ride. The 2nd, and 3rd. trips were much more enjoyable!!

chippie

June 29th

Posted by: solstice

I agree with you guys wholeheartedly, it was the same with my first experience on this trip with traveling by train. I would have missed out on a lot of great parts of Russia I might never have seen otherwise. All those old trains sitting on the side tracks, the great scenery, not to mention seeing the people in those small towns we went through. Originally the picture I had of what the train would be like is the one I saw transporting all those souls to the gulag. LOL! It is a great way to meet people as well and to know them in a personal way. I was lucky to have someone to tell me many things about Russia and its people in the young lady that shared the compartment with me on the way to Nizhny. On the way back to Moscow near the end of my trip Nataly and I shared a compartment on a newer train with several people. During the trip the gentleman sitting across from us with his wife found out I was from the US and broke out the Vodka, black bread and meat to share. As we traveled along and passed around the Vodka it really showed me the hospitality and friendliness of the Russian people. It’s unexpected happenings like that which can add so much to the memories of a great Holiday.

Posted by: solstice

My internal clock was probably off when I woke up at first dawn. I decided to open the bedroom window of my 2nd story apartment and survey the area. As I’m looking up the street one way then the other I see a sight I thought I might only see in Kiev. Two gorgeous women walking arm in arm down the street, and the first thought was wondering if I’m going to see the same sights here that I did all over Kiev. Yup, I was, good looking women all over the place, what is it with these FSU women?
I decided to unpack and get things in some kind of order before getting ready for the day. After awhile I decided to watch a little TV, I enjoyed some of the programs in Ukraine and it appeared the shows in Russia were just as agreeable. I don’t know how many people have watched “Married with Children” but there’s a show exactly like it in Russia called “Happy Together”. They have got the characters down perfectly, even the dog “Buck” only there his name is “Baron”. It was like they picked up the whole set and moved it over there, it was great.
Nataly showed up a little after noon and we decided to just go out and walk so I could get an idea of where I was. Nizhny was originally Gorky and we decided to walk up to the park around which is a thoroughfare for public transportation as well as “MCDONALDS”. Whoa, who could have guessed, even more surprising is the one I saw directly across from the Kremlin in Moscow. American capitalism is everywhere. So we take an unhurried walk up the street passing the local movie theater (Shrek and Spiderman) and proceed past the KGB building and the police stationed directly across the street. I have to say that in Ukraine as well as Russia I never had an uncomfortable feeling for my safety other than when I was in the vicinity of the police. I’m not sure if it’s a preconceived idea I have after hearing stories about shakedowns by the local fuzz or what but I figure it’s always best to steer clear so I don’t find out. Oh, I should probably include a taxi ride or two that had me somewhat concerned about my future.

Well most of that day was getting to know the area and doing some food shopping at the “Spar” market, a really nice place to shop. They have everything even “Playboy” in Russian, and of course I had to take one back for my brother. Nataly decided she was going to make Borscht for me since I said I enjoyed it in Kiev. So we spent some time preparing our meal then sitting down together to enjoy it all. Afterwards we sat and talked for awhile before it was time for Nataly to head home. Again we agreed to meet only earlier tomorrow so we could find out about getting me registered. To me it appeared we were getting along pretty well. I guess the tip off was the sweet kiss and hug I got as I put her in a taxi and said farewell until tomorrow

Posted by: heyjimi

hey solstice,love the story....i remember reading i guess was your last trip to Russia,you tell your story its very captivating. I will be taking my second trip to Russia this thursday(to see a different girl).I had to laugh ,because i too, this time will land in Moscow then take a train, but going to Vologda. And i asked my girl,when will i know its my stop to get off the train?Well this trains last stop is Vologda,but she said make sure you don't get on the volograd train.... but i agree too my first trip i was, i have to admit,a bit nervous,well more than nervous,it was a little scarry.but this time its like,no big deal.like you said its an adventure.
jim

Posted by: solstice

I thought it would be a breeze getting registered but after 45 minutes of being passed around I could see I was off about that happening. We ended up at the post office with a copy of Nataly’s passport and the other paperwork that was needed and finally got that out of the way; I guess I was now officially “in” Russia. By this time it was close to lunch so we strolled down the opposite direction from my apartment to find a cafe’. After eating a tasty salad we continued down the street which ended close to the Nizhny Kremlin. Inside was a military display with a few tanks, other military vehicles and artillery pieces. There is also an extremely nice war memorial with an eternal flame that overlooks the Volga. Most of the government offices are located inside along with the art museum which we decided to visit. We paid our fee and moved up to the 2nd floor. There were some extremely great art pieces that I was looking at and asked Nataly if she thought it would be ok to take pictures. She didn’t see any reason why not but apparently the woman guarding it did. I snapped off one picture and I thought I was going to be on the train I talked about going to the gulag. It seems you can take pictures but not before paying 250 Rubles which I think was about 10 USD. Well I got my one picture for free and we moved on down the gallery. There was a woman stationed in every room of the gallery and it appears their only duties for as many hours in a day that they were there was to make sure no pictures were taken without payment and to turn on the lights when you walked into the room and turn them off when you left. Well I’m sure they were watching the paintings as well so I guess that was their security force. Well we walked around the Kremlin wall which overlooks the confluence of the Oka and the Volga rivers. Coming from the earth tones of Arizona it was great seeing some green trees again. We came across the statue of Valery Chkalov who was the first person to fly non stop over the North Pole, the statue over looks a huge stairway that leads down to the Volga it was pretty impressive. With all the other people out that day we walked hand in hand which I took for a good sign between Nataly and myself. During our walk I discovered the secret of how most of the women stay looking so good, they walk everywhere. By the time we got to the end of the walkway I was whipped. Driving is the only way to get around Phoenix so I was not ready for these “walks”. Nataly asked if I would like to take the trolley back. Not wanting to appear as a wimp I said “sure if you’d like to and it would get us back quicker". Thank God she said ok we will go and I’m sure her answer had nothing to do with the sweat pouring down my face. So I get my first taste of their transit system jammed into the back of this trolley with only a slight breeze coming through the vent in the roof as we travel along. We finally make it back to the general area of my apartment only to have to walk several blocks to get there. As I bust on through the bank vault doors into my apartment I’m ready to drop while Nataly looks like she could go another 4 miles and not even break a sweat. After a short rest so the out of shape American can catch his breath we put together a nice meal and settle in for some TV and talk. Sitting close I decided to give her lips a quick check to find out if they were as soft as I thought they would be. Yup they were and it appears my thoughts about the hand holding were correct. Later that night we call for a taxi and I walk her through the vault doors and down to the waiting cab where we say our farewells until tomorrow.

Posted by: chippie

Hey Solstice,

Good story, keep going. As with most Eastern European women, they are indeed great shape due to the walking they do.. For anyone making the trip it might be worth it to do some walking BEFORE you go to prepare yourself. I was not prepared the first time I went.

chippie

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippie

Hey Solstice,

Good story, keep going. As with most Eastern European women, they are indeed great shape due to the walking they do.. For anyone making the trip it might be worth it to do some walking BEFORE you go to prepare yourself. I was not prepared the first time I went.

chippie

Yeah, just remember, when they move to the US, they also start driving everywhere, and pounds pile up rather quickly, unless they come up with an alternative form of exercise.

Posted by: chippie

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlove

Yeah, just remember, when they move to the US, they also start driving everywhere, and pounds pile up rather quickly, unless they come up with an alternative form of exercise.

Hey Inlove,

You could also keep up with the walking for recreation, like right after meals. It is good to get into good habits!

chippie

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippie

Hey Inlove,

You could also keep up with the walking for recreation, like right after meals. It is good to get into good habits!

chippie

It really depends on where you live. In Chicago, this is not a problem. But majority of americans don't live in walk-friendly places, unfortunately.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by solstice

I agree with you guys wholeheartedly, it was the same with my first experience on this trip with traveling by train. I would have missed out on a lot of great parts of Russia I might never have seen otherwise. All those old trains sitting on the side tracks, the great scenery, not to mention seeing the people in those small towns we went through. Originally the picture I had of what the train would be like is the one I saw transporting all those souls to the gulag. LOL! It is a great way to meet people as well and to know them in a personal way. I was lucky to have someone to tell me many things about Russia and its people in the young lady that shared the compartment with me on the way to Nizhny. On the way back to Moscow near the end of my trip Nataly and I shared a compartment on a newer train with several people. During the trip the gentleman sitting across from us with his wife found out I was from the US and broke out the Vodka, black bread and meat to share. As we traveled along and passed around the Vodka it really showed me the hospitality and friendliness of the Russian people. It’s unexpected happenings like that which can add so much to the memories of a great Holiday.

So true Solstice, Russians can always find a reason to "break out the vodka"!

You're right, very good hearted and helpful people.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlove

Yeah, just remember, when they move to the US, they also start driving everywhere, and pounds pile up rather quickly, unless they come up with an alternative form of exercise.

LOL! My wife put on 25lbs??? But she stayed after it and lost it all! Reply to your 2nd post.. I know what you mean. We are lucky and stroll around the Golf Course dodging the Golfers!

We have nature trails but can't get her into that...needs to be paved????

Posted by: inlove

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spakoyna

LOL! My wife put on 25lbs???

Is this a question for me?

Quote:

But she stayed after it and lost it all! Reply to your 2nd post.. I know what you mean. We are lucky and stroll around the Golf Course dodging the Golfers!

We have nature trails but can't get her into that...needs to be paved????

I guess she is not a hiker, but a city stroller.

They are doing all this walking in Russia not because they love it, but because they have a little choice. If your choice is to ride an overcrowded trolley with no air conditioning for a mile, you rather prefer to walk this mile, assuming you have time for it.
If she has a car in Russia, she most likely drives almost everywhere as well, just like in the States.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlove

Is this a question for me?

The question marks were me saying I wasn't exactly sure how much weight she gained....25 + or - a pound or 2!

Posted by: solstice

Over the course of the next several days we visited most of the tourist areas around Nizhny. Nataly owns a small business so she could take some time off to be with me which I really appreciated. Most evenings we spent fixing dinner together then going out. I’d have to say it really didn’t get dark until around 9pm so there were many people still out doing things well into the evening. Nataly’s son goes to school during the day and works as a DJ at night. On this occasion we were to meet him at a café/club where he was going to work that night for a friend’s birthday party. We made our way along this very dark unlighted street until we found where we were supposed to be. There was a number of the “younger generation” standing about the dimly lit entrance as we met her son. Everyone was very sociable and after some friendly conversations we went down the steps into the basement café. Well I probably could have gotten to my seat without walking and just let the vibrations from the music move my feet. It was loud, but I have to say it had a good beat even if it was in the 100 decibel range. We ended up in a more muffled area and ordered some food which was very good. As it turned out her son would not be working until 2am which was probably the time things really started jumping. By the time we finished eating it was getting close to midnight so we decided to skip the 2am party and head back to the apartment. Walking once again we made the trek to the apartment where we spent a much lengthened evening together since we would be traveling back to Moscow early the following morning. It was getting close to the end of my trip and I found that Nataly and I had grown closer in our relationship. This was all well and fine but I was beginning to think about the time when we would part and where our relationship would go once we said our goodbyes.

Looking over the Oka & Volga from the Nizhny Kremlin and inside

Posted by: solstice

The following day was my last day in Nizhny Novgorod. I have to say I really did enjoy myself in a different way than the time I spent in Kiev. Obviously being in a different country you’d probably expect that but there were also a lot of similarities between both cities as well, especially where women are concerned. I packed everything up and was probably about 10 pounds lighter from the presents I was leaving behind. We arranged for a taxi to take us to the train station and as we drove off I had my final glimpse of my apartment and another great city that was painted in my memory. At the station Nataly knew exactly where to find our train and our compartment, after showing my passport to the attendant we boarded and loaded my bag into the overhead. This was a newer train than the one I traveled on at the beginning of my trip and this time there were four other people sharing the compartment along with Nataly and myself. But just as before there were the lunch boxes and other things out on the table for each of us. It appears the attendants on the trains are comparable to flight attendants, they provide refreshments and other things you might want during the trip. Each one was very business like and seemed to have the authority to toss you off the train and onto that other one headed to you know where. On this trip I had Nataly as my tour guide and as we traveled the five hours or so to Moscow I enjoyed hearing her description of the sights along the way. As I mentioned earlier we had some real nice people traveling with us and nothing could have delighted me more than sharing Vodka, sausage and bread on a train headed to Moscow with some of the friendliest people I have found. The trip was long and at times Nataly and I spent some time between cars to uh … check out the couplings to make sure everything was ok.

We stopped in Vladimir where the train switched engines and we had time to get off and stretch our legs. An hour or so later we arrived in Moscow and Nataly found us a taxi that would take us to the hotel. I had made reservations at the same hotel I stayed in when I arrived but this time instead of two rooms there was only one. Well I have been in many taxis and I have to say this one was the wildest ride I ever went on. I guess this guy wanted to unload us so he could get back for another fare, man was it a fast ride. Even Nataly was a little pale when we pulled up to the hotel. We checked in and after getting settled in we decided to head off to Red Square and the Kremlin.

Posted by: chippie

Good post Solstice. Glad to see it turned out well!

chippie

Off to Belarus June 29!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Great story and pictures of the trains, scenary, and orthodox church. Yes I must admit that returning to a hotel with "one room" waiting for you is a good feeling!

Sounds like a good ending is coming up soon! When will the visa be submitted?

Posted by: solstice

Hey GTR – Nataly has already sent in her paperwork for a tourist visa. I think she has a pretty good chance of getting one. Since it appears one has to prove they have strong ties & obligations to return to their country and Nataly does have those I don’t see a problem. However we are all familiar with the foibles of the US government.

She will have to travel to Moscow for an interview and I’m sure that’s something she is not looking forward to. We’ll just have to see what happens.

Posted by: solstice

Underground in Moscow is a lot like it is in New York or Philadelphia, many people going many ways. Of course I’m talking about the subway and that’s what we took to Red Square. I was so glad there was someone with me that could read Russian otherwise I’d still be roaming around under the streets of Moscow. Well Nataly was not all that familiar with how to get to the Kremlin so even she had to ask but we eventually made it. As we approached I couldn’t help but think about the world changes that enabled me to be at a place that not long ago many outsiders could never have found themselves. Standing in the middle of Red Square you could almost feel the history that took place as the Cossacks stormed along the Kremlin fortress or the crowds that stood before Lenin as the Communists marched their military might on May Day. Of course McDonalds being across the street kind of took something away from the moment but as I said things have changed. Unfortunately we got there too late to meet Lenin personally, but from the way they have it laid out it appears he draws a large crowd. We spent a good hour walking and of course we had to check out the souvenir shop. I had to loose those Rubles some way and I couldn’t go home empty handed. And as we walked away I was thinking that now whenever I watch a James Bond movie with my brother I can say “Hey I was there, I told you you should have went with me”.
By this time Nataly and I were pretty tired, it was a long day. We managed to backtrack our way to the subway and the hotel. We freshened up then had a nice evening meal at the hotel before retiring for the evening. Thus ended my day in Moscow and marked the final hours of my stay in Russia.
We had arranged for a taxi for the drive to the airport the next morning. We arrived with what I thought was more than enough time. As it turned out I’m glad we did, man it was packed to get out. Not only do they x ray your baggage they wanted them opened as well. Nataly and I stretched out our time together as much as possible and I could see she was making every attempt to hold back the tears. We kissed one last time and I saw there was a break in her emotions that let a few small drops of her feelings run down her cheek. I kept sight of her as long as I could, looking back as she stood by the entrance. And finally when I made it to the ticket counter and tried to find her through the crowd she was gone.
I hesitated for a moment as I thought about our time together but was pulled back to reality by the fact that the ticket agent said someone had canceled my ticket. WHAAAT?

WHO? WHEN? And of course he couldn’t tell me so the only recourse was for him to re-ticket me and I’d have to wait at the gate to see if there was room on the flight. Great, so here I am waiting for every soul to fill the plane until they call me and say “we have one seat left” any guess where it is, last row, middle seat up against the wall of the galley with 2 lovely rest rooms on either side, how convenient. Other than not having any selection of a meal because I was lucky to get what I got since it was all they had left, the rest of my return flights were pretty much run of the mill, and my bags actually made it back with me to Phoenix. It was a great experience and I'm hoping Nataly will get her visa so I can show her some of the hospitality I was shown in a friendly country called Russia.

Posted by: azamuner

Great pictures!

Posted by: bingism

Awesome report... loved it!

I'm glad that your pictures of Red Square match mine... thought I might've photoed the wrong place lol

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Thanks for the report Soltice. I hope all goes well with the visa and you can have an adventure in America with your lady.

Posted by: Chrismc

Some great pictures Solstice, a lot bluer skies than when I was there in March.