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My 4th trip.
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Posted by: Jutman

One the new issues I liked on this trip, was that I meet with Nata in airport, few hours after take off (flight time, 2½ hour) and 6 hours after I wake up. We meet and took taxi to hotel. We got a room at ismailshove (??). 4 big buildings and with big difficulty we located the right place. Finally at the room we could be ourselves.
We had 2 days in Moscow and the next day, we saw the central Kremlin. This is where we meet Steve and Svetlana. Before meeting we got a guide and were inside some churches and the guide told us some good information. He was okay and worth the money. And just before meeting we were stopped by Police, thankfully our papers were okay.

- Next day, Monday I had to make a reel registration. Without Nata, I would never have founded it and they had guard in the hall and only allowed one person to go up. So I had to wait, while Nata took care of papers. They wanted 30 USD for registration. I was angry, very angry. Anyway, taxi waited and took us to Kazan railroad station. We got tickets and waited 2 hours. At the station I saw news, here I saw that the airport in Copenhagen was closed due to storm danger. Imagined if I got tickets for that day and could’nt leave and Nata waited me in Moscow.

- Anyway the train left Kazan station at time and about 15 hours later it arrive at time in her city. Of to her new apartment. 1 room, but actually very nice.

11 days
The next was the time in her city. Basically when I arrived it was 20 F° at day and 14° at night/ (-7C°/-10C°). It gave me a flu, which I still fight 3 weeks later. The 25th my package I sent in the beginning of December arrived, but we picked it up the 26th, 2 days after xmas. Anyway, they got my presents and they liked it. I have it on video, where the 8 year old niece distribute the presents. I have to say, the family did make dinner and so on the 24th for me and gave me presents. In package, there were also some Danish xmas food, cookies and beer. And they liked my cooking.
The next day, my flu topped and I stayed home. Nata had to go and pick one more package I sent, about the 8th of November for her birthday. She did not want to disappoint me telling that her present and xmas decoration and so on did nor arrived on time. The reason was the Russian customs house wanted 14 USD for something, they did’nt tell what. This is the first time, I have been very disappointed with the mail service.

But Nata took care of me when I was sick. Made me take nose drops, even I hate it. I was of course happy, that she took care of me. And even I was sick, she wanted to kiss me. Maybe she really loves me.

The 31st her niece had birthday. Has that on video too. We went home around 10PM. The rest of New Year Eve was just us. Since we eat well at her parent’s place, we just eat some fruits and luxury chocolates. Drink champagne, actually good and other alcohol beverage. This was actually our first New Year Eve with a person which we were in love with, alone. So it was special and I will never forget it.

The 1st was her mothers birthday, so of we go again to her parents place. But they are very good people and I like it. We had decided it was maybe better, that I bring our wedding rings to Denmark. They are not very valuable, but to avoid trouble for her when she arrives, I felt it was better I took them. When I got home, Nata told me that her family believe we had finished our relationship, since they also asked when I come next time and I say, not for long time. Nata has not told them, our plans.
The 2nd we went back to Moscow, by train. We got tickets at a extra train, but no sleeping places. Instead they were cheap, 8 USD for a 500 mile distance. At railroad station I only had a 500 ruble and we wanted to but of drinks and so on. But no shop could give us money back. Until the very last shop, shortly before train left. The seats were actually not bad, good space for the legs and good room for luggage. The only 2 issues with the train were drunken people, making problems. Like a couple who tried to have sex, but were stopped. Then people went outside the cabin to smoke, but since many did smoke and went to toilet, the smoke did enter the cabin. When we arrived in Moscow we smelled liked we been to a bar all night.

When we arrived in Moscow it was 5Am and we took a taxi to the same hotel. To my big surprise we got the keys. I had reservations from the 3rd to the 4th, and did not expect to get keys that early. Anyway we were tired and slept good. We decided to stay at hotel and enjoy ourselves company, instead of take to the central Moscow. At this big hotel complex were shops and restaurants, so we had a good time. We really did not sleep. I we got up 4AM, because taxi arrived 5 AM. Here I discovered me exit papers was missing, gosh I was nervous. Anyway, we said goodbye and I went to Sheremetyavo. I quickly got my luggage checked-in. I was stopped and asked in passport control, where my exit papers were. I said, Hotel took it and gave me some other papers. Thankfully, they were two in the box and I believe the other officer said, he is just a tourist and end of problems. About 30 seconds after I finished passport control, I meet my Russian teacher. Rest of my home travel was with no problems. When I was in my apartment, she was still at the Hotel in Moscow, waiting for the taxi. First 20 hours later she was home.

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Brian...

Thank you for posting your trip experience

Khashyar

Posted by: Castlestormer

Nice trip report comrade! But I have a question: didn't you have to pay the policeman when he stopped you?

I was told that each policeman is allowed to shake down people for as much as 3,000 rubles per month to supplement their income. And I was also advised to pay them 100 rubles, and you will be sent on your way.

It proved to be true on this last trip. I was stopped outside of Kuznetsky Most metro station late at night by a policeman who spoke no English. He asked me by pantamime why I spit on a government building. I know a little Russian, and told him that I didn't spit on any bulding. He checked my papers and found them in order. He kept persisting that I spit on a govenrment building. First of all, the building he was referring to had the word "kvartera" on it, which means apartments. Secondly, I didn't spit anywhere. He said I would have to pay a fine. I thought about arguing with him so that truth would prevail. But this little voice popped into my head saying: "Steve, you idiot, you are in a foreign country arguing with a policeman who doesn't speak your language late at night. How smart is that?" So I whipped out a 100 ruble note, he took it, and was on his way.

I never felt unsafe or in danger at all. I just felt like that is one of the rules of the game. And them more you look like a rich American over there, the more you get to play. I also had two policemen follow me onto the metro and question me once. But that was because I was video taping with a camcorder hidden under a shapka I was holding. The metro is an amazing experience, and well worth getting on video tape (if you can do it clandestinely).

Posted by: Jutman

No, money.

our papers were ok. The hotel did stamped them, before we went to central Moscow. He looked very dissapointed.