Ulan Ude (That is one big Lenin head) I loved Ulan Ude but maybe because I got off the 3rd class train from Moscow happy to feel the ground again. My former English student helped me at the hotel. I was splurging after the long train ride (I stayed at hostels all the rest of the my month-long trip). 1200 rubles. No way, I told my friend, tell her 900. I went to the travel agency in the lobby to ask about cheaper quarters. She said 1000, my friend told me. I must have taken too long because it went up to 1100 when I got back to the front desk. Okay, I said, since my friend was trying to pay the 100.
I wanted to stay a second day so I went to the desk. Tell the lady I won't stay unless I get a reduced rate. The woman (a different one) said "What about no phone - no TV?" "That's fine," I said. 700. Okay! They made a big deal about moving me to a different room which was exactly the same with a phone and TV in the room. It made no sense but came out to 900 a night. I slept well.
your blogs are always full of interesting and true observations about Russia - keep it up! You say "check the pictures" though - where are they?! I think only one of your blogs has had photos so far...
Keep it coming! Sounds like your true Russia exploration begins now... paradox city? hm.. I think I have always thought of entire Russia as a paradox country... extreme income inequality and somewhat strange resource usage & allocation... Curious if the famous Russian spirit is really (still?) there and what exactly has it come to being...
really interesting to read! keep it coming!
lol... Manu, that's why there is one good old Russian song about girls going to dances every Saturday night, all standing besides a wall, waiting (not sure what for exactly - the song doesn't cover this part). The song goes "Потому что на десять девчонок - По статистике девять ребят" (something like: "because, statistically speaking; for every 10 girls there are just 9 guys")...
if you wanna hear / read the text - http://www.moskva.fm/artist/мария_пахоменко/song_1654515
Elections? man, I didn't even know there were elections in Latvia... oh well... lol
Sounds like you had an awesome smart to your trip! (jealous about the cucumbers) Can't wait to see the pictures!
Swiss with a basic knowledge of Russian trying to make her way through this vast and supposingly extremely beautiful country called Российская Федерация / Russian Federation.
Mission: Improve my Russian language skills, explore the Russian soul and most importantly just have fun :)
Start: Moscow
Destination: Vladivostok or to be more philosophical - the journey is the destination :)
Plans how to get there: none, just go with the flow!
... full info
Manu goes to Russia
Manuela Oppliger
I've already left Kamchatka - well, couchsurfing, but not through the site;) got a contact there through other people.