"RUSSIA" Russia by swesn

Russia Travel Guide: 18,410 reviews and 36,851 photos

St Basil's Cathedral glows like a cluster of gems

RUSSIA 2002 >>

...+| Part of RTW 2002-2003 |*+...

Four days three nights, bulleting west
Siberia in my hair, soot on my face
Lulled by the rhythmic 'TUK-tuk-TUK-tuk'
Towards the orange sunset, we chased

'Hello' and 'Goodbye'
Tongue-twisting, four syllables
Surly and sour looks
Coaxed a smile out? It's a miracle

Onion-domed churches, clashing in colours
State treasure, opulence in abundance
Soviet-era statues, abandoned in parks
Metro stations, grand and resplendent

... written by trisha

Mad rush for merchandise on the Trans-Mongolian

From MONGOLIA 2002 ...

Russia was a country that I felt quite apprehensive before I entered. The language was one problem and I simply did not know what to expect.

Well, I had had many irate Russian women inexplicably yelling at me. I had had a lot of 'Nyet Nyet Nyet's thrown at me. I had difficulties getting assistance in a store or train station. I had to avoid police for fear they would find something wrong with my visa and if I refused to pay the 'fine', they would haul me to the police station. There were people who did not look at me, much less smile at me, when I talked to them. I just could not find relatively cheap and good eateries anywhere. I was hungry all the time in Russia.

Yes, I felt rather defeated at the end of my trip. But what a great learning experience! For every successful attempt at buying grocery or food, I congratulated myself. It made me appreciate every little successes.

Despite everything, and aided by my fond memories of a dancing babushka (grandmother) in Irkutsk, the nice young man queuing behind me at the train station who spoke some English and helped me out in St. Petersburg and the wonderful host Galina in Moscow, I will surely return to Russia one day.

The next time, I hope to be braver, more positive and able to handle the tough situations better.

Da svidanya... da vstrechi! (Good bye... See you next time!)

For more photos, please click :

IRKUTSK

MOSCOW

SAINT PETERSBURG

To POLAND 2002 ...

Details of Resurrection Church at St. Petersburg

Also, please travel with my articles at :

TRAIN-SHOPPING
( .. Listvyanka .. Irkutsk .. Trans-Mongolian Train .. )

THE NYET
( .. Moscow .. St. Petersburg .. Moscow .. )

Last visit to Russia: Jul 2002
Intro Updated Aug 14, 2004
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Reviews (44)

Church of the Trinity in Nikitniki - Russia

MOSCOW : ONION-DOMED CHURCHES Off The Beaten Path (6)

There are numerous gorgeous onion-domed Russian Orthodox Churches scattered all over Moscow. They are so beautiful... I... more travel advice

IRKUTSK : WOODEN-LACE HOUSES Off The Beaten Path (6)

All around Ikutsk and surrounding villages, the architectural style is wooden-lace houses. The houses are generally... more travel advice

The golden dome of St. Issac's Cathedral - Russia

ST PETERSBURG : BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE Off The Beaten Path (6)

There are many gorgeous architecture all over St. Petersburg, such as this golden-dome of the St. Issac's Cathedral.... more travel advice

Bankovsky Bridge at Griboedova Canal - Russia

ST PETERSBURG : CANALS Off The Beaten Path (6)

St. Petersburg is interpersed by canals and rivers here and there. To get to the other islands like the Petrograd... more travel advice

Shopping (10)
See All MOSCOW : VERNISAZH MARKET
Restaurants (4)
See All LAKE BAIKAL : SMOKED FISH
Things to Do (8)
See All IRKUTSK : LAKE BAIKAL
Favorites (3)
See All MOSCOW : INTERNET CABINS

Local Customs (4)
See All MOSCOW : STREET MUSIC
Transportation (3)
See All BUYING TRAIN TICKETS
Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All POLICE : FRIEND OR FOE?
Hotels (4)
See All MOSCOW

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 2, 2003

1 photo

RUSSIA

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Comments (5)

Pablos_new Aug 24, 2005 at 1:04 AM Report Abuse

Interesting view on my country. - Happy Birthday, Trisha!
BabciaMaine Jun 22, 2003 at 3:01 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful photos of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, made me long to return
gale.blog.pl Jun 21, 2003 at 9:55 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful opening on Russia, I really loved your tips and the pictures you've enclosed :) Thanks for the good job!!!
dsantosh Jun 17, 2003 at 1:53 AM Report Abuse

Excellant page..great phtographs..lots of nice tips and useful information
pretty33555 Jun 17, 2003 at 1:29 AM Report Abuse

I have lived in Moscow for all my life , but I have never seen topless women in the streets:) perhaps, maybe it was YOUR day