I sat in the car, staring at nothing but semi-trucks and Ladas ahead of us and thought to myself: “Someday, I will look back and laugh at the day I tried to go to Suzdal and never made it.” It was nearly 1:00 p.m. on my last Friday afternoon in Moscow – nearly […]
Suzdal: The Day Trip That Almost Wasn’t Read More »
Construction. Congestion. Chaos. Cars. Those are the four words that will forever come to mind when I think of Vladivostok. Vladivostok is scheduled to host the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November 2012 and apparently the entire city is under construction in preparation. I hope for its sake that everything is completed on time
Construction, Congestion, Chaos and Cars Read More »
I arrived at the train station in Vladivostok over an hour ahead of my 10:30 p.m. departure – a result of the bus moving faster than expected (shocking!) and my own desire to be the first person into my 4-person kupe (compartment) on the train. Thanks to the advice of fellow travel bloggers, I carried
62 Hours on a Train: The Trans-Siberian from Vladivostok to Ulan Ude Read More »
After the way my volunteer and homestay experience started in St. Petersburg, I almost cancelled my participation in the Geovisions Conversation Corps program in Moscow altogether. I was afraid I would be stuck far outside of the city again. I was afraid I would live with another family who didn’t really want to learn English.
My Homestay Experience in Moscow 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 »
This was one tough list to narrow down. I really loved St Petersburg and I fear that the rest of the country may be a bit of a letdown after spending five weeks in such an amazing city. But since I am forcing myself to stick with my theme of just choosing five favorite things,
Five Favorite Things in St. Petersburg 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 »
