Otenb Oaenc Saratov

... paranoid. I know I am. I am being overtaken regularly by every other vehicle on the road including clapped out Ladas. Still better safe than sorry even if it takes me way beyond my visa's specified date of expiry to get to Omsk.<br><br>No sooner had these thoughts flashed across my mind than the dreaded blue uniform with the magic wand is directing me to the side of the road. Had I missed something? Had I ...

... time everybody in the train knows me as the "Francouss" and the controller is struggling to find out how the hell is gonna prepare his custom papers for a non-Russian or central Asian passenger. But rest assured my proud fellow country man! most people seem to know where the country of human rights and reblochon is, and guess what was the first name mentionned as ambassadors of our great nation? "Jean-Pierre Papin"... ok for the non french this is a ...

... and covered in red and white blotches. "Good! Good! Strong woman!" they cheer. I am toweled dry by two of the women, and still naked, brought into a room in which there is a table covered in foods; black Russian breads, cucumbers with dill and parsley, grated and pickled carrot, ham, chicken. I am given a very big tortilla-like item, to use like an edible plate. It is quickly stacked high with food. Tanya mimes that I am to leave Russia as large as she is, which would ...

... an ancient bus and drove out into the steppes, where we picnicked and watched marmots and falcons. The young men caught insects and bright green lizards and showed them off as proudly as they might have done when they were little boys. I enjoyed seeing Albina as a teacher, in her "habitat." And the students! They were so excited to show me the Russian flora and fauna. The few students who spoke English were thrilled to practice with me, asking me a zillion questions ...