Russia travelogue begins
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My Bhutan Travelogue is almost nearing completion (maybe another 4-5 posts) so I have decided to start narrating about my trip to Russia simultaneously. There will be some overlap but I hope you don’t mind! 
Where did I go?
The adjacent picture shows my travel map (click for details). I stayed overnight only in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi. All other places: were day trips – Dmitrov, Suzdal, Vladimir, Sergiev Posad, Istra, Pereslavl-Zalesky from Moscow and Vyborg and Pushkin from St. Petersburg. Overall it was not only a good travel across European Russia but also gave a a sneak peek to the Black Sea. I was in Russia for about 3.5 weeks.
Why Russia?
Tons of reasons. There was lot of Soviet influence on India until we liberalized in 1992, so my first 11 years were in typical socialist settings – ration lines, months before you get a telephone, no product choices, USA is evil, etc. Later, I read about WW2 history and works of Tolstoy, Gorky, Dostoyevsky, and Ayn Rand that sparked intense curiosity in my mind. The collapse of USSR and resurgence of Russia were also interesting phenomena. Thus, I always wanted to visit Russia, but didn’t know how or when.
Then lady luck smiled. I was looking for a ticket from Toronto to Mumbai last year and I was about to book Toronto > Istanbul > Mumbai (Turkish airlines). But then I saw a better Toronto > Moscow > Mumbai (Aeroflot) deal and before I could think about it, I made a decision… lol
So I booked a ticket to Russia without knowing how, why, when, where, etc. Things fall in place automatically once you decide to do something. Isn’t it?
How did I prepare?
Fortunately, I had a good friend in Moscow who helped me a lot with visas and invitation. Then I extensively researched information about the country. At one point, the scary stories outweighed the good ones and I wondered if it was the right thing to do. But Aeroflot levies a hefty cancellation charge ($250) so there was no way out. I found that the biggest hurdle travelers faced was the language.
So I went to the library, borrowed several books and CD’s and started teaching myself Russian. I think this was the most enjoyable part and I discovered that it was easier for me to learn the language for several reasons. Russian is an Indo-European language and I already knew Marathi, Hindi, Sanskrit, German and English. Secondly, the complicated sounds, accents and tongue-twisters in Russian were very similar to Marathi language (my mother tongue). I was actually enjoying learning Russian.
I also started talking to some friends and eavesdropping on conversations in subway. There is a huge Russian-East European diaspora in Toronto and it was kinda strange – suddenly a large number of hitherto alien sounds started making sense. I almost felt like a child who recently learnt how to read and speak (further exemplified in Russia where I read each and every sign on the road with excitement, much to the annoyance of others!) I had 3 months to learn the language and in retrospect, I could have done better…
I also started eating a lot of meat to prepare my body for heavy non-vegetarianism.
Take off
I was going to be away from Toronto for 3 months, so I quit my apartment and moved my meager belongings to friends’ places. I got on the plane to Moscow, armed with a fresh new language and filled of excitement and anticipation.
« Previous post: Russia Overview
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Bhutan
Canada
India
Israel
Peru
Russia
USA
I’ve been waiting so long for this
•अाला रे अाला
also … my peru video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LukRWIabxuw
↵Dude, seriously! The video was fantastic and you sure had the fun of your lifetime!
↵Many thanks for all the information you provided about Peru… or should I say волшое спасибо
↵Okay, this will be too cool, even learning the language, I have tried to learn a little Chinese for my adventure as well.
↵Oh you are learning Chinese! That must be hard!
But you’ll have fun there..!
↵I had a close friend in school who used to learn Russian by listening to Moscow Radio on shortwave (in mid-80s)…
Looking forward to your travelogue.
So, the best way to increase tourism in your country is to have your national carrier charge hefty cancellation fees?
↵hahaha, I must say that the cancellation (or rescheduling) fee was an important factor that made me decide… hehehe! Russia is not a tourist friendly place at all!
↵Was waiting for this one to start…
↵And now its started!
↵Finally!! I have been waiting for this for many months now!
↵hehehe, I had to pick one – Bhutan or Russia and I went alphabetical
↵Oh, you’re making this hard, Bhutan and Russia simultaneously? Just kidding! But there was once a time, I was in a cafe, paying for my order, when my companion was talking to me the same time as I was talking to the cashier. I told my friend that I ain’t a woman so I cannot multi-task.
Anyway, I look forward to reading the Russian series.
↵
hehehe I know what you mean. I consider myself a multi-tasker though. It also means that my attention spans are shorter.
↵Finally! I was wondering why Russia was not appearing.
So how proficient are you in the language now?
↵I started learning French on the net, but was not able to keep up the pace.
hehehe! I am extremely proficient, its the Russians who don’t understand what I speak..
kidding! I could get along well and do most general things. Everyone had great patience and helpful attitude so even things like “I want take bus, where go I?” would yield a smile and a response.
↵Aaahhh another journey with you! Cant wait to read your posts. Priyank. Btw, you have been awarded! Do come over and pick up your award on my latest blogpost!
↵Thanks Gopinath! For liking my posts and the award too!
↵Wow… You’ve been to so many places that I’ve always dreamt to visit!!
↵Welcome to my blog London Caller, and thanks for your comments. I’ve still not been to as many places I’d have liked to!
↵Waiting for more. Interesting to know how your trip happened!
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Coming soon!
↵Lady luck in the form of a discounted ticket…hehe!
↵I can understand your enthusiasm and excitement prior to such a travel..I’d have felt similarly if I were going to Russia. These days I prefer the not-so-tourist friendly places to go to!
Will be looking forward to your Russian series Priyank.:)
Thanks Celine! You know, the ticket was the most expensive part of my travel!
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