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Back From Russia

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John T. Haller
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Back From Russia

Hey guys,

Just wanted to post a note to let everyone know I'm back from Russia. I just got in a little while ago and am pretty beat (it's after 2am according to my internal clock). I'd mentioned the trip in-forum and given more details to some via email. I was in Russia for 2 weeks. 1 week in Moscow followed by 1 week in St Petersburg. I was keeping an eye on things from Moscow as I had internet in my hotel. Unfortunately, while in St Petersburg, my home PC hung and I couldn't connect in securely, so I didn't post anything then, though I did peak in on things to make sure everything was working.

This was my first international trip and was quite a good one. We saw an absolute ton of stuff. I can post some pictures if anyone's interested.

I'll be catching up on posts and posting new packages of apps tomorrow.

Regards,
John

Jacoby
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Welcome back, Comrade! I've

Welcome back, Comrade! I've always wanted to visit Russia. Lots of history, and incredible culture from the pre-revolutionary days. Did you hit the museums in the Kremlin?

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Lurking_Biohazard
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You were gone?!

Just kidding! Pictures would be sweet...

~Lurk~ Email

~Lurk~

Jacoby
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YES! Pictures would be

YES! Pictures would be great! And where's my souvenir? Wink

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Ashes for Tears
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Welcome back!

Sorry about the forums burning down...we put it back as best we could. Wink Biggrin

Ashes

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John T. Haller
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What we saw

While in Moscow, we saw:

  • Red Square
  • St Basil's Cathedral
  • The Kremlin including the cathedrals inside
  • Lenin (still under glass... still dead)
  • Old Arbat Street (we actually stayed in an apartment just off it)
  • The Bolshoi (well, the outside bits you could see through the scaffolds... it's under renovation all this year)
  • Tretyakov Gallery
  • Gorky Park
  • Victory Park including the nearby army/navy museums
  • Christ the Savior Cathedral
  • Novodevichy Convent
  • Lenin State Library
  • VDNKh ("Exhibit of the People's Economic Achievements") which is now "All-Russian Exhibition Center" but still has the original buildings dedicated to all the regions, chemistry, manufacturing, science, etc as well as some of the original soviet-era art on the walls
  • Day trip to Suzdal with a stop at Vladimir on the way back (during which, we were stopped by the FSB)

While in St. Petersburg, we saw:

  • The Hermitage Museum
  • The Russian Museum
  • Our-Lady-of-Kazan Cathedral
  • Saver-on-the-Blood Church
  • Saint-Isaac Cathedral
  • Néva bridges open at 2am
  • Day trip to Peterhof
  • Day trip to Pushkin and another nearby city (can't find it in my notes at the moment)

We walked upwards of 8 miles a day or so on our longest journeys in St Petersburg and made quite a bit of use of the metros in both cities as well as a couple trips on the old trolley buses. We also made heavy use of "cabs" which is really just hitchiking and negotiating a price with whomever stops. Our day trip from Moscow to Suzdal was driven by a friend who lives in Moscow working at the US Embassy. Our day trips in St Peterburg were by hydrofoil and bus respectively. And, between Moscow and St Petersburg, we took an overnight sleeper train (in a coupee, which sleeps 4 in a small room).

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Ashes for Tears
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Wow...

All of that in, did you say two weeks? *Not sure* That's a lot of activity...

Ashes

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John T. Haller
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Two Weeks

We were in Russia about 13 days. Went on May 23rd arriving on May 24th. Left on June 6th. So, yeah, we packed quite a bit in.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Ryan McCue
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LOL

'...still dead...' Biggrin
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Jacoby
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And what did the leftovers

And what did the leftovers from the KGB want with you, you capitalist spy? lol.

And loved the Lenin comment. :chuckles::

It's a shame you missed the Bolshoi. My parents went over after The Fall, to see what my dad had been guarding Germany about (Was stationed there, in the Fulda Gap, right where the Big Red Russian Ass Army (My fathers old term) was expected to pour through. Me and the sister were too young then (to go to Russia), and stayed with our grandparents. My sister was born in Germany though, while my parents were there, and they soon after came back to the states. I was born on the base hospital at For Campbell, KY. My dad has got stories of Germany, and stroies from when they went to Russia as tourist. The culture is supposed to be most impresive. And they (my parents) always say it was a great trip. They say the Russians are a very warm and wonderful people, and my mom bout had a heart attack at the museums and opera and ballet theaters. I must get my sense of history from her. I studied Russian Pre-Revolutionary Art for my Art History class project. Was quite impressive.

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Steve Lamerton
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Nice

Sounds like you had a seriously good time. Defiately on my list of places to go!

P.S. Love to see the pics Smile

Yours

Steve Lamerton

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