17th to 20th of October, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Russia.
When I come to Alexey’s apartment it is raining a little. His apartment, just like Alyona’s, it looks the same from the USSR. But even more! And in my bedroom there are a few posters of German Shepards. Laugh.
Alexey has travelled a lot with his bicycle. And he has been in lots of places in Russia too. We talk about our travels experience and also about politics and the future.
When we start talking about where I am going tomorrow, he gets really surprised about how I have everything planned and know not only where I will go but how. Apparently, all his past CS were newbies, completely lost and inexperienced travellers. Finally, someone who recognize my value! Laugh.
Even though I like Alexey, I think he can have a not so optimistic attitude sometimes. And I told him that! Like for example, when I tell him that I will take the bus to the city centre but I will not pay. He insists so much that it cannot happen, that the fiscal will come and catch me, and what could I possibly do if she does. After all, I think that it was his mind set which ruined my plans. Because yes, the fiscal lady was in the bus, but perhaps she either wouldn’t be (they are not in all the lines), or I would manage to escape from her, if he hadn’t attracted that. Who knows…
Anyway, when I saw she coming, after only two stops, I got out. I had a slight idea of the directions by walking, because I checked on the map before. But I haven’t written anything down. But I am lucky and after confirming directions with only one person, I find my way. It is a long walk though. But the problem is actually the weather.
On my way to the city centre, I walk alongside Oka River and I think the boat houses over there are stunning! They look so cool! It is such a shame though that many of them are not operating anymore.
It is such an adventure for me, you know? Because I don’t really know how to get to the Kremlin… Can I cross this bridge or not?… It is actually kind of cool not knowing everything all the time. And so many people are scared of that. Many times, people ask me how do I get directions if I don’t have a phone. I know that many people would freak out if they were in my situation today. I was only worried about the weather.
I can see in a distance the Sobor Svyatogo Blagovernogo Church. And I also pass by an old hotel, called Gostinitsa Yermolayevykh, now a bit abandoned, under restoration. I think this last one is so beautiful! It is just a simple brick building but I love it!
There is an awesome street art in one of the bridges down town. They made a gigantic alligator (or crocodile?) all over the bridge and it is brilliant!
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is beautiful! And you can go inside for free. Great! From here you can go up hill for a nice view of the town. And then I am not sure what is the best route to the Kremlin. I just walk and ask around, so I find it.
But by the time I arrive to the Kremlin, the rain starts. Bravo! I don’t have an umbrella and I am not really on the mood for getting soaked, so after walking a little bit around and climbing to the walls for a view (you will need a ticket for the tour), I decide to go back home.
I was planning to walk but with the rain I change my plans and choose the bus. I decide to pay this time though. I have only the exact amount for the bus. But this time, because there is so many people on the bus, the lady doesn’t notice I haven’t paid, and I don’t say anything. Nobody does and I save the coins for another time.
Back in Alexey’s place we sleep a lot. Next day we wake up very late and because it is raining, we cancel our plans of going around. We change for next day.
But that same night, while I am looking for a CS host in Kazan, Alexey read something in the news. The President of Russia declares Martial Law in the Ukrainian annexed regions and some of the Russian areas on the West get a “yellow code” for being prepared for a possible Martial Law too.
Hearing that, I take many things in consideration and after a while thinking, I decide to leave Russia. What a shame! I had so many plans for it. I would like to go to a few more cities, entering officially Siberia, and perhaps crossing to Mongolia for a month, and only after that, coming back through Russia to Kazakhstan. But I cannot risk. What if the president goes beyond and declare Martial Law all over the country, closing all the borders, and I get stuck in here? No, I cannot risk that.
I believe things happen for a reason, and perhaps Alexey had to read that, and tell me, so I would leave the country earlier. Who knows what would have happened if I had staid.
We go out to buy some food and pastries. Alexey tell me I should bring some with me, which is great!
Next morning, I get a bus to outside the city, and this time I pay it.
10 Years Around the World 