Friday, October 08, 2004
Russian dolls
Hmmmm, Russia... What can we say? Sometimes it seems just like 'the west' and then other times the differences jump out.
Our homestay with Dmitry (who looked a lot like a young Putin) and Valentina turned out to be a bit boring really. They were a nice, but not very forthcoming family. The only noteworthy thing was the breakfast - proper Russian breakfast - pancakes wrapped around sour cream and then fried one day, and raviolis filled with cherries the next.
Walking around we soon realised that much in the same way we had stuck out as tourists in Turkey for wearing helmets on our scooter, we stuck out as tourists here for not drinking extra large cans of beer at 10:30 in the morning. So the stereotype that Russians are boozers is true...
Since it has been a bit too cold for sitting outside (we miss you Greece!) our days have been an endless round of museums. Most too grand for words (you'll have to wait for the pictures). Museums are where Pete can engage in his 2 favourite passtimes: moaning about dual-pricing for foreigners and taunting the security grandmothers (old ladies - guarding the exhibits presumably?). Taunting the grannies involves making jokes in English they can't understand. Asking the lady at the cathedral where Henry the 8th was buried was my favourite example!
Other uniquely Russian experiences inlcude a Metro as deep as Australia and designed like a communist poster - with NO maps; observing the multiple queueing system in supermarkets; a dancing bear; beautiful girls and ugly men; loads of brides and grooms getting their photos taken at local landmarks (drinking beer the whole time).
Off to Moscow this evening on the night train sharing a sleeper cabin with 2 strangers (hopefully they won't be too drunk). Should be interesting!
Our homestay with Dmitry (who looked a lot like a young Putin) and Valentina turned out to be a bit boring really. They were a nice, but not very forthcoming family. The only noteworthy thing was the breakfast - proper Russian breakfast - pancakes wrapped around sour cream and then fried one day, and raviolis filled with cherries the next.
Walking around we soon realised that much in the same way we had stuck out as tourists in Turkey for wearing helmets on our scooter, we stuck out as tourists here for not drinking extra large cans of beer at 10:30 in the morning. So the stereotype that Russians are boozers is true...
Since it has been a bit too cold for sitting outside (we miss you Greece!) our days have been an endless round of museums. Most too grand for words (you'll have to wait for the pictures). Museums are where Pete can engage in his 2 favourite passtimes: moaning about dual-pricing for foreigners and taunting the security grandmothers (old ladies - guarding the exhibits presumably?). Taunting the grannies involves making jokes in English they can't understand. Asking the lady at the cathedral where Henry the 8th was buried was my favourite example!
Other uniquely Russian experiences inlcude a Metro as deep as Australia and designed like a communist poster - with NO maps; observing the multiple queueing system in supermarkets; a dancing bear; beautiful girls and ugly men; loads of brides and grooms getting their photos taken at local landmarks (drinking beer the whole time).
Off to Moscow this evening on the night train sharing a sleeper cabin with 2 strangers (hopefully they won't be too drunk). Should be interesting!
happy birthday and thanksgiving
before I start the proper update a quick birthday wish for Bryan. Also Happy Thanksgiving to all in Canada (and Jen and Melissa in the UK). Good luck with the dinner Auntie Sharon - try not to eat ALL the turkey while you are carving it!
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
back in the ussr
you don't know how lucky you are.
welcome to russia. excellent customer service from the guy in customs. by way of indicating that we were maybe being over zealous in declaring all our money and malaria tablets, he decided the best way was to throw our passports on the floor and look away disgusted. the lonely planet - and woe betide anyone that doesn't do what the lonely planet says should happen - said we needed our declaration stamped. the customs guy wasn't having any of that. only after some persuasion did we procure the necessary stamps.
anyway, expect stereotypical photos of lada cars, grey skies, dancing bears and furry hats shortly. we have to get out there and take them.
welcome to russia. excellent customer service from the guy in customs. by way of indicating that we were maybe being over zealous in declaring all our money and malaria tablets, he decided the best way was to throw our passports on the floor and look away disgusted. the lonely planet - and woe betide anyone that doesn't do what the lonely planet says should happen - said we needed our declaration stamped. the customs guy wasn't having any of that. only after some persuasion did we procure the necessary stamps.
anyway, expect stereotypical photos of lada cars, grey skies, dancing bears and furry hats shortly. we have to get out there and take them.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
3 points
andy johnson der der der, andy johnson, der der der...
in my first, last and only game of the season, palace managed to get off the mark with 3 points against fulham!
watch out arsenal, only 17 points behind now.
in my first, last and only game of the season, palace managed to get off the mark with 3 points against fulham!
watch out arsenal, only 17 points behind now.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Birthday wishes
Today (the 4th) is happy birthday to Marsha (courtney's mum) then on the 9th it's Bryan (courtney's step dad)... so happy birthday - and happy thanksgiving to them on the other side of the pond. Gemma also gets belated birthday wishes for last week.
nosebag
so, the speech is spoken, the happy couple married and siberia awaits.
will and lucinda were married saturday. despite some extended fumbling, i managed to procure the rings at the correct moment. photos were organised, even impressing rob by standing on the wall of the flowerbed to direct everyone.
regarding who was the most drunk at the wedding. well, the early money was on keith who sprinted into the lead. however, the red hot favourite didn't disappoint. coming strong with a perfectly timed finish, will managed to excel himself to steal the honours.
the speech. well, people laughed, sometimes in the right places. everyone said it was okay but then everyone always says that. the happy couple looked lovely, and i'm not just saying that because those best man magazines told me to.. have a great time in uganda and kenya and try not to outdrink the first class lounge either.
reality hit on sunday afternoon when reading in the mongolia guidebook, we noticed it said the tourist season ended mid October (we arrive mid October), after which travel is difficult due to extreme cold and snap snow storms. still, sounds like a challenge.
anyway, the 'jaunt round the mediterranean' is at an end. turkey, greece, corsica and speen all done and dusted. st petersburg next. watch this space....
will and lucinda were married saturday. despite some extended fumbling, i managed to procure the rings at the correct moment. photos were organised, even impressing rob by standing on the wall of the flowerbed to direct everyone.
regarding who was the most drunk at the wedding. well, the early money was on keith who sprinted into the lead. however, the red hot favourite didn't disappoint. coming strong with a perfectly timed finish, will managed to excel himself to steal the honours.
the speech. well, people laughed, sometimes in the right places. everyone said it was okay but then everyone always says that. the happy couple looked lovely, and i'm not just saying that because those best man magazines told me to.. have a great time in uganda and kenya and try not to outdrink the first class lounge either.
reality hit on sunday afternoon when reading in the mongolia guidebook, we noticed it said the tourist season ended mid October (we arrive mid October), after which travel is difficult due to extreme cold and snap snow storms. still, sounds like a challenge.
anyway, the 'jaunt round the mediterranean' is at an end. turkey, greece, corsica and speen all done and dusted. st petersburg next. watch this space....
