Travel Announcement: Return to Russia!

[peacetraveler22]

It's now official! I just purchased my tickets to Russia. :) Here I am, standing on the frozen Neva River in Peter. Glorious! Dates of the visit will be 23 February - 9 March. For those in the U.S., airfares on Aeroflot are incredibly cheap now. Nonstop flights from Washington, DC or New York City to Moscow cost only $492 USD roundtrip, including taxes. I can't even fly to many places in the U.S. for this price.

The first week I'll travel with my Russian friend on a road journey to some new cities, though I'm not yet sure where. Proposed options include the following:
(1) Moscow → Yaroslavl → Vologda → St. Petersburg → Moscow

(2) Moscow → Vladimir → Novgorod → Cheboksary → Kazan → Moscow

Where to go? What to do? Suggestions for other intriguing driving routes from Moscow? Help me! :) I'm mostly interested in unusual people, wild and frozen nature and village life. Museums, Orthodox churches, and standard tourist attractions aren't really important to me.

If there's interest, I can try to arrange a reader gathering somewhere in Moscow the second week. Although I'm not sure where in the city is convenient for most people? If you know a good gathering place, like a restaurant or pub, please tell me in the comments.

I'm excited for the trip, to see if attitudes toward an American visitor have changed since my visit last February when I attended the Olympic Games. Since then, relations between our countries have shifted dramatically and even here on my blog I've noticed more anti-Americanism and hostility, even when the topic of my posts have absolutely nothing to do with politics.

Btw, I'm sure many of you saw Ilya Varlamov's post hanging in the TOP all day yesterday, but if not I suggest you give it a read. A foreign tourist's brutal impressions of Russia. Her story makes my first Russian post seem like a fairy tale. I think she was harsh in her review of the country, though she's certainly entitled to her opinion. It's especially amusing to view the reader comments to the story (over 4,000 of them now!!).

Russia - your country remains a fascinating place for me, and I'm very happy to return!

Comments

[dryvit.livejournal.com]

Advise Kazan. Beautiful city. Cheboksary, Vladimir - a typical Russian hinterland.

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

+

[kunbr.livejournal.com]

Hello, Shennon.
And what about Siberia?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Siberia - yes, I really want to visit! But it's too far to drive. :( I would have to fly or take the train, and I'm not sure there is enough time during my visit to fit it in.

[wojzeh.livejournal.com]

You can speak to Sasha about Yoshkar-Ola and Kazan (he lives in Kazan actually like my sister).

This is about the first city http://udikov.livejournal.com/1566753.html

[dryvit.livejournal.com]

+

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I like your hat!!!! My son has one alike! And my daughter! I am thinking about myself!!!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's my favorite hat! :))

[kreyzi.livejournal.com]

привет ) как круто 8 марта у нас большой ЖЕНСКИЙ праздник. было бы круто увидеть тебя и пообщаться в эти первые дни весны!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Привет! Yes, it will be nice to be in the country on 8 March. We don't celebrate this holiday in the U.S.

[stan podolski (from livejournal.com)]

I would not fly russian airlines if I were you. But I am not you of course

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I like Aeroflot very much! I've flown them before to Russia, and prefer this airline over Delta (the U.S. carrier flying from JFK to Moscow).

[wise-gorilla.livejournal.com]

Rent a bike and go to Murmansk.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The story was sad, but the bike rider was crazy in my opinion to risk her life this way. I get anxious and scared each time we're driving long routes on Russian "roads", and can't even imagine cycling there. :))

[origen-72.livejournal.com]

Шапочка вам очень идет! :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Спасибо! :)

[karbunkul-lug.livejournal.com]

do you like Russia?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Like"? Well, it's kind of a hard question to answer. I can't imagine living there, but I like to visit because life there is very different than America. This is why I like traveling in the country, to experience a completely different way of life and culture.

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

23 February and 8 March are sacred dates for russians. So, you've chosen a good time for your visit. ;)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I will not arrive until 24 February, so I'll miss Defender of the Fatherland day. But I've been there before on this holiday, during my first journey.

[Юрий Безфамильный (from livejournal.com)]

Kamchatka?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's too far for a road trip! :(

[phd-paul-lector.livejournal.com]

As far as the poor Korean tourist is concerned. a Korean friend of mine (a Russian-speaking member of a Korean cycling club, citisen of both Canada and Russia from Altay) mentions that the girl broke ALL safaty and traffic rules, both Russian and Korean; I checked the rules - she did :(

Also, guys from Murmansk who helped her are shocked by her attitude: http://bloger51.com/2015/01/54000/comment-page-1#comment-592838

She comments Varlamov's post:
"Universewithme Jin": "I am the owner of this picture. You copied my picture and used without permit.
It is really illegal. You are against the law. Delete all my pictures and text. Do not use me!!! "

"Is there any lawyer? Please help me!! Some Russian used all my pictures without asking permit. Now I got too many traffic and messages from Russian. He used me.
http://zyalt.livejournal.com/1259245.html?view=429492973

This guy is against the law. He used all my picture without asking!!!"
https://www.facebook.com/universewithme?fref=nf

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sure, as I wrote above I think she was careless in her actions. However, I think Varlamov should have asked her permission before publishing her story, esp. since he's a copyright Nazi himself.

Алкотуризм возможен не только в Индии

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Suzdal is more interesting than Vladimir. Foreign students are very fond of the local brewski.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medovukha

Re: Алкотуризм возможен не только в Индии

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of this drink "medovukha!" Something new to try on this journey. :)

[juan-gandhi.livejournal.com]

Wow, interesting. Have you been to Novgorod before? This is a weird choice.

Still, I would take #1.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've been to Novgorod - see http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/38909.html.

[a-nimaida.livejournal.com]

I would be interested to read your review of my city of Kazan
come)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Maybe we will meet on the streets if I visit? :)

[donoschik.livejournal.com]

Езжайте в сторону Казани, как мне кажется, вам там интереснее будет.
Раз ехать будете около 1.000 км от Москвы, то замерзшей природы много не увидите:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Where is the best place to ride close to Moscow to see a lot of nice, snowy, frozen landscapes, outside of a big city area?

[gallon.livejournal.com]

If you are into old Russian architecture and spirit, take the first route. Also I strongly recommend visiting Pskov and Veliky Novgorod as well (maybe leaving out St. Petersburg).

If you're more into Tatarian, take the southern route. N. B. looks like you mention Nizhny (Lower, Downstream) Novgorod, while Veliky is the 'default' one. Don't mix them up :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Tatarian I have not yet seen, so maybe it's a better option. Yes, I mix up the two "Novgorod" cities sometimes. But to Peter I'll visit for sure. I have a friend there, and it's one of my favorite Russian cities. It's easy to take the Sapsan, even for only a day visit.

[udikov.livejournal.com]

Shannon, hello! My name is Sasha, I live in Kazan.
Hoy was born in Cheboksary and long lived in Moscow.
Writing through electronic translator,
since I have bad English.
With pleasure povozhu you to Kazan.
Actually, I'm testing usually mashiiny, go on an expedition,
but by the time of your arrival is likely to be without a car.
So I can show only the city.

I can show you the cute and little-known streets of Kazan,
if possible, take a couple of roofs.
Perhaps you can also go to a couple of the village church,
if you're interested. After all, you, as I understand it, more
life outside the cities interested in?

What we Kazan bloggers, can you help? Here's my guide to Kazan
through electronic translator:

Kazan Guide

[udikov.livejournal.com]

English: https://translate.google.ru/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=ru&ie=UTF-8&u=udikov.livejournal.com%2F1231613.html&edit-text=&act=url

Russian: http://udikov.livejournal.com/1231613.html

[yarowind.livejournal.com]

Cool!:)

>> If you know a good gathering place, like a restaurant or pub, please tell me in the comments.

Write later place and time, pls!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Okay! I will be very pleased to meet you - one of my first subscribers! :))

[justadreamer.livejournal.com]

Велкам ту Раша, леди! Ви глэд ту читать вас, ага! )

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Большое спасибо!

[romanovz.livejournal.com]

I am from Vladimir. It is very nice city!

I advise you to visit a town of Suzdal. It is near Vladimir.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Okay, many thanks!

[cosmonova76.livejournal.com]

Hi Shannon! It's pleasure to meet you. Also I'll add you as a friend and follow your trip. It must be so excited for you. I'm russian born but left my country with the parents at 1986. Last visit in Russia was in 2009.
Definately try russian winter sauna (Bania / Баня) beat yourself with birch (venik) and jump into snow or lake. I'd spend the whole day for it. I've done it when I was 7 days old. You'll survive.
Try visit Golden Ring cities and other than Moscow Kremlins I think we've got 12 left all of them near by Moscow.
In the comments some of the guys are suggesting you Kazan and Tatar villages. I agree with'em an expirience you won't forget. I'm a half tatar and I've been in Kazan' and villages many times in my childhood. Beautiful Kama River also there. Good Luck. Please do reports Shannon. I missed snow and those places so much...
For the future try some of the summer Volga cruises and Tatar spring festival with horses called Sabantui. Thanks:))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hello! Welcome to my blog! This is my 5th visit to Russia. :) However, I always travel there in winter time. I love freezing temperatures and snow, and Russian winter is perfect for me. In the future, I will try to visit in summer season to compare the difference.

[robuste.livejournal.com]

Добро пожаловать! Как успехи с русским языком? Или опять забросила? :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

No progress with Russian. :( I've been lazy, and dedicating all free time to the blog, not language study. Btw, aren't you the reader who sent me the nice drawing of the church from my Wyoming post? I was just looking at the drawing last night. :))

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

Shannon, I hope if you be in Vladimir we'll meet!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi Denis! You live in this city? If so, it's a reason to visit. :) I would be happy to meet you!

[paulspb.livejournal.com]

Don't hesitate to ask me in any questions in St.Petersburg :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I love this city, and visit Peter each time I'm in Russia.