As I walked through the Galeria Mall in the center of St. Petersburg, I couldn’t help but wonder where I was. I passed a GAP. And a Nine West. And a Payless Shoe Source. Not to mention Nike, Adidas, Puma and Timberland. If it wasn’t for the Cyrllic lettering on the signs everywhere, one could […]
Shopping Like a Local in Russia Read More »
As I travel, I have come to expect to see the golden arches of McDonald’s nearly everywhere I go. So I find it interesting to see what other American fast food chains have set up shop abroad. I was surprised to see such a variety here in Russia – including a Baskin-Robbins in Vladivostok and
American Fast Food in Moscow Read More »
Lake Baikal. The deepest lake in the world. Olkhon Island. The largest island in Lake Baikal. So what if I was visiting in the middle of November? When I first planned my trip to Russia and as I finalized my Trans-Siberian itinerary, a visit to Olkhon Island was non-negotiable. To make it worth your while,
It’s Always Sunny at Lake Baikal – Unless It’s Snowing Read More »
Vladivostok did not make the best first impression on me. After a relatively enjoyable overnight flight from Moscow on Aeroflot, I exited the small airport in Vladivostok and immediately started searching for the bus stop. The instructions I received from my hostel (the only hostel in the city, although it is listed by
Arriving in Vladivostok Read More »
Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod the Great) touts itself as the birthplace of Russia and oldest city in the country, as well the cradle of Russian democracy and the medieval center of trade and crafts. For a town of over two hundred thousand people, it feels incredibly small. I arrived on a bus from St. Petersburg near
Veliky Novgorod: The Birthplace of Russia Read More »
I should probably start this with a disclaimer that the entire time I was in the Diamond Rooms at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, I thought I was in the Gold Rooms. I think I expected more extravagant jewels in halls called the Diamond Rooms. And there was a lot of gold. I
Touring the Diamond Rooms Read More »
As I wrap up my time in Moscow, I am thrilled to announce plans for the final leg of my Russian journey – the Trans Siberian Railway. In a few days, I will hop on a flight from Moscow to Vladivostok – an overnight flight that lasts nearly 9 hours – it will be like
28 Days, 7 Cities: My Trans-Siberian Plan Read More »
Happy Halloween! From what I can tell, Halloween is not exactly huge in Moscow. If it wasn’t for my friends’ Facebook posts over the weekend with their costumes and their kids’ costumes, I probably wouldn’t even know what day it is. That’s what happens after being on the road for two months. This will start
Two Months of Travel Read More »
Financing a career break or other long term travel is not easy. For me, it required a combination of cutting back on spending and saving more, earning extra money, and dealing with at-home expenses that would remain while I am on the road. I own my condominium and still have student loan debt, but I
How I Financed My Career Break Read More »
It may sound like an exaggeration to say that the Apple Hostel in St. Petersburg saved my trip at this point, but in a way it did. After spending the previous month in a homestay on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, I was feeling a bit socially isolated and my morale was lagging.
My Savior in St. Petersburg: The Apple Hostel Read More »
