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Published: June 14th 2009
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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
June 1, 2009, Monday, Moscow to Vladimir to Suzdal, Russia—220km. Our tour leaders were due to change today!? Departure was to be 8 AM, today we begin the tour of the “Golden Ring” some of Russia’s oldest cities rich with Russian history. We waited and finally some young Russian gals appeared. They don’t seem to speak much English. This is going to be fun.
Around 10ish our convoy of 16 RV’s head out on the ring roads of Moscow toward M7, it appears to still be rush hour and the traffic is heavy. Keeping so many large vehicles together is a challenge. It is a long slow drive, but we managed to get to Vladimir. It is a large city and has lots of traffic lights and turns; it is here we begin to lose RVs. Into Vladimir Churchyard we go, but it is Monday and it is closed, and we are missing ½ of the convoy. This Italian Company… organizing a camping car tour into Russia… geared for mostly French speakers… is turning into a disorganized nightmare. The Russian gals speak French and very little English. No attempt is made to communicate with the
four Americans. Eventually all the “lost sheep are found”, and we continue on to Suzdal.
Today we traveled only 220 km and it took more than 5 ½ hours. It is after 6:30 when
we arrived and we tried to join the French walking group tour but just got frustrated. We walked on our own and used our guide book, and map, but everything is now closed. It is quaint little town. By eight we returned to the RV we managed to put a meal together, and tried to relax. It has been a stressful day.
Well at nine the Russian gal knocked on our door and informed us, we were to be at the restaurant for dinner by nine!? “What dinner? we just finished eating… What restaurant?” …this time was Maureen’s turn to blow, and blow she did! Anya our “guide” got an ear full, and understood everything. Promises were made that we would be informed, time will tell. So the four Americans missed a meal, we paid for.
June 2, 2009, Tuesday, Suzal to Kostroma to Yarslavl, Russia 250 km. The “road” out of Suzal is Russian, therefore, in a state of
disrepair. Our first stop was Kostroma to visit a typical outdoor food market. We wandered around for a while, then found a neat Russian Restaurant, (thanks to a Russian Policeman) they had a menu in English so that helped.
MONEY in Russia is the Rouble and it is approximately R30 = 1 US$. We have not found one supermarket or restaurant that will accept our visa card, so it is necessary to carry cash. It seems like we have lots of money, but it is not worth much. A full tank of diesel fuel 100 liters and that was R1630. Wow! I thought, then realized it was about $55. US. Fuel is certainly a bargain here in Russia. Few coins are used, most places just round off the total.
The rest of the day involved the drive to Yaroslavl. The convoy in and out of towns waiting for everyone to catch up, waiting for someone to change a flat tire, and the flat could be anyone with the road conditions. “Home” is a parking area behind a hotel with guards and gates and padlocks. Electricity, water and drainage is available.
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