Asia! (But Still Russia)
Well, today I entered Asia. We crossed the Ural Mountains in Russia and passed this little white obelisk representing the border between Europe and Asia.
We are now in Yekaterinburg. It is a smaller city right over the Asian border. We stopped here for a night because this is where the Tsar and his family were killed during the Bolchevik Revolution. It also happens to be where U2 Pilot Gary Powers was shot down over Russian Soil. They have wreckage from his plane and his parachute and flight suit on display in the local Military Museum. We went in and the nice lady at the exhibit looked so happy to see visitors who were interested that she proceeded to try to give us a complete tour… in Russian.
I can not even come close to describing my joy over seeing an elderly 4 foot something Russian woman gibbering away even though we couldn’t understand a word she was saying. At least she seemed happy… most of the people working in Human Service jobs here seem to hate people… just try getting a hotel room or a stamp for postcards.
But anyway… the highlight of this city has to be that same woman describing a machine gun by going “chugchugchugchugchug” and describing some General’s desk by pointing at the picture of the man in a parade, saying “Big White Horse” and then pointing at the desk and making a gesture of someone happily typing away at a typewriter.
Andy and I have been trudging around the city for a little bit now, and the snow is just starting to melt. It would be a wonderful thing if it weren’t for the fact that there is no drainage, so the whole city is like one big mud-slush puddle… my shoes aren’t looking so good for making it all the way through this trip.
We’re off to Irkutsk next with the deepest freshwater lake in the world… I’ll try to write again for longer then.
April 9th, 2005 at 11:54 am
Grandpa suggested that I check out your Weblog -Awesome! It certainly is a small world. Your cousin Chrissy is leaving Hong Kong on May 8. Uncle Roy and I are arriving in Hong Kong on May 8. We are leaving for Seoul on or about May 14. This will be our first trip there. Chrissy is leaving for Nicocea (Cyprus) tonight. Your cousin David has tentative plans to return to Asia. This has certainly turned out to be a very “travelling” family. Your Uncle Roy wold sympathize with you on the bed size issue. Wait until you get to Asia. There is absolutely no way to read those signs in Chinese. I couldn’teven recognize which door went to a restroom, let alone which one was for ladies. Charades and being very polite goes a long way to getting around. Enjoy!
April 15th, 2005 at 10:46 am
good to see that you’ve finally got some content on your site. it sounds like you’re having a pretty good time. send me some postcards. i’m at 215 w fairmount ave, apt 204, state college, pa 16801 until i start work on may 31. i’ll be in new haven, ct, after that but as of yet i have no specific address. maybe i’ll just live in the office if i can’t find one. or sleep on a bench across the street.
April 15th, 2005 at 10:54 am
And it’s the Audio Daily Double. Here’s your Audio Daily Double clue: Name this continent… ["ASIA"] Mr. Young… ["ASIA"] Time has run out. The answer was “Asia.” Okay, moving on.
April 15th, 2005 at 9:13 pm
Ok, its been too many days; WHERE ARE YOU???? you’ve got us all hooked on your trek, you need to do better at keeping us informed son! Its been a week!
April 16th, 2005 at 7:15 am
I agree with Nancy, although I know you said you might have trouble communicating on this leg of the trip. One of Dad’s vendors said that Vladivostock is not a particularly safe place so watch your back when you get there. Dad arranged for someone to meet you at the airport when you arrive in Hong Kong so check your email (later) for contact info.