8.18.13 Travel Log - Arkhangelskoye, Russia

I can tell you life in Russia is full of challenges. I have been experiencing electrical problems in my old apartment for some time. I just found out my apartment is NOT GROUNDED! It looks like I will be moving to another apartment soon. YES, that means I have to move EVERYTHING!

I went to Costco’s version of a grocery then headed to Arkhangelskoye. I knew I would face traffic b/c people were going to their country cottages but I had NO IDEA it would take me 1 HOUR to drive 3 KILOMETERS. TALK ABOUT PATIENCE! I entered the grounds surrounded by trees to somehow end up at the palace. The small number of rooms I saw spoke about Egyptian murals, Chinese vases, and grand touchable chandelier to go around. The view onto the “lawn” in the back went for miles over the manicured grass to the river shining below. I could only imagine the grand parties!

All of a sudden, I saw a hot air balloon advertising Confitteria Rafaello. I guess it is some kind of treat. I walked by the tent with its advertisements to the two swings. I couldn’t resist. I had to go on one of the swings. Back and forth to the sun shining down and the wind blowing my hair. Alas, I had to make way for others who wanted the same joy! I kept walking by the wonderfully fragrant flowers to what I thought was brush. NOT! It was a long line of a covered path. Of course, plenty of wedding couples had their photos taken. Here. There. Everywhere.

I kept walking…down to the river. People lounged around picnicking, sunbathing, and enjoying life. I stopped one time to look at the map. A man, who thought he was going to be funny at my expense, spoke in Russian to me. I, in clear English, spoke back to which his female friends then laughed at him while I did as well. He scurried up a hill shortly afterward to show them his “strength”. Did impress me or them! I then went onto the Colonnade grounds where plenty of wedding groups were busy drinking the day away while pictures were taken. This time, I saw a many well more than 20 years older than his bride not knowing what to do during the photo shoots. She controlled everything while he did what she said. I had to enter the building before I laughed out loud too much…only to meet one of the museum hosts who refused to accept my “I don’t know English”. She talked and talked while I backed and backed away. I was able to break away!

I rested before I left. I saw a group of Chinese tourists. They clicked so many times on their cameras I don’t know if they ever saw the place. Then…I watched this very very very drunk girl. Her friends literally pulled her towards the exit. She kept pulling back all the while slurring her speech. Then, one man wanted to be hero by lifting and carrying her. The only problem was that he couldn’t carry her for but 5 minutes. She kept sliding and sliding while her dress, already somewhat short, kept going further and further up. She was 5 seconds from falling before the guy placed her back on her feet. She barely made it to the exit. The road in front of it sat another long limo holding up a dump truck. The dump truck was “this close” to running over the silly car.

I found a military and car museum park on my way home. Talk about sweet vehicles! I about died and went to heaven…after I got over the woman paying more attention to the dog in her purse than her kids sitting next to her. The ultra-expensive classics went by me while I imagined what it would be like to drive them. Oh the dreams! The Ford Model T…Cadillac roadster…Packard 903. The outside brought another world. Kids roamed over and around tanks, rocket launchers, planes, etc. All the while, Russia patriotic music surrounded us; high pitches and stern voices! The kids didn’t care. This was their playground. Talk about cool stuff! I could see them doing harm then while they are harmless today.

Previous Post Next Post

8.18.13 Travel Log - Arkhangelskoye, Russia

Archive

Categories

More Info