Moscow May 1st-9th

[VemuKhaham]

Dear all,
As I have done in previous years (Istanbul and Poland), this year I'll be going on another trip during the first week of May. I'll be in Moscow from the 1st to the 9th of May, and so I'll not be around here to post during that time. I'm really looking forward to it, not the least because I'll be arriving on the Day of Labour and departing on the national victory celebrations. I hope that I'll be able to spot some nuclear missiles rolling by.

That is, all this will happen if several volcano's in Iceland don't decide to go spitting forth more ash in the days before my flight.12

[Japic]

Well that sounds like fun and I'm jealous once again. You guys always get to travel more than me. Have fun, take pictures and be safe, I've heard terrible things about people being robbed for blue jeans and shoes.

[yoggemothi]

Sounds fun! From a geologist point of view, I definitely think you'll be alright. I don't believe this particular volcano can sustain this volume of continuous eruption for very much longer.

[VemuKhaham]

Everyone, I'm back from Russia! I can definitely say it has been the most wonderful in the series of trips I've taken so far. Russians are a strange people, and you can taste the difference in culture. It's not exotic, but different in a more subtle way, yet it confronts you every moment you wander the city as it prepares itself for the great victory celebrations.

And now I'm not even mentioning the group I've been with. I think I've fallen in love, and I have good hopes the feelings are mutual.

We had the greatest time imaginable, perhaps because everything Muscovites do is always a little over the top. Just one hint: you won't find a supermarket without at least 50% of it dedicated to wodka and other alcoholic beverages.

Pics will be up soon, as I really feel like sharing them with you.

[menatkhufu]

Welcome back. Guess there are some news to spill, aye?

Btw, weather's been terrible while you were away. Not the best of weekends in Nijmegen.

[VemuKhaham]

Yep, plenty of news. We'll get together again soon for that, and of course for some good Turkish cooking.

As for the weather, Moscow was almost perfect, especially the last few days. 25 degrees celsius and bright blue sunny skies. Perhaps the chemical stuff the government launched into the skies to prevent rain on their parade had something to do with it.