May 10th and 11th
After 4 airplanes flights and layovers between flights, totalling 21 hrs, we then went out to meet one of the drivers from the company who would take us on the 5 hour drive from Moscow to Velikiye Luki. Little did we know of the adventures ahead. Plane landed at 3:15 Moscow time. First off, we thought we were going directly to Velikiye Luki, we were told that if we needed to stop for food or the bathroom that the driver could understand those words and would stop. No translators were with him, we were on our own, which proved to be a bit challenging. We were taken to a restuarant where we found out we were meeting the owner of the company (Lewis' boss) for dinner. First of all, we were in no way hungry but did not want to be disrespectful, and second we were not cleaned up and very ragged and tired looking. Nonetheless, we met him and his son who is 19 and his daughter who is 12. It was very informal, more to greet us and welcome us to the country and to have us try some food that is from the big city and possibly not available to us in Velikie Luki (notice different spelling of first word? we have notice it spelled both ways in English) After about 2 hours or so we were on our way. We were riding in one of the owners vehicles that could hold all of luggage and it had a big screen tv in it, so we put one of our dvds in to watch, and fell asleep quite promptly. Although I slept nearly the whole trip Lewis on the other hand tried to but the roads were so bumpy he had a difficult time. Russian roads are not very good we have found out and we have also learned that many Russian drivers are crazy drivers. About 1 hour before reaching our destination the driver pulled over because he had a flat tire. When he went to change it the tool used to take the lug nuts off broke. It was raining outside and dark and he spent a long time waving down vehicles to help him. After an hour we were on our way again. Reaching our destination about 1am. So with all of the delays, we had hoped to be there around 8 or 9 pm and we were actually there 4 or 5 hours later. So exhausted and tired. What a trip so far.
Here is a picture that all should recognize, we saw this while driving the highway in Moscow.
After 4 airplanes flights and layovers between flights, totalling 21 hrs, we then went out to meet one of the drivers from the company who would take us on the 5 hour drive from Moscow to Velikiye Luki. Little did we know of the adventures ahead. Plane landed at 3:15 Moscow time. First off, we thought we were going directly to Velikiye Luki, we were told that if we needed to stop for food or the bathroom that the driver could understand those words and would stop. No translators were with him, we were on our own, which proved to be a bit challenging. We were taken to a restuarant where we found out we were meeting the owner of the company (Lewis' boss) for dinner. First of all, we were in no way hungry but did not want to be disrespectful, and second we were not cleaned up and very ragged and tired looking. Nonetheless, we met him and his son who is 19 and his daughter who is 12. It was very informal, more to greet us and welcome us to the country and to have us try some food that is from the big city and possibly not available to us in Velikie Luki (notice different spelling of first word? we have notice it spelled both ways in English) After about 2 hours or so we were on our way. We were riding in one of the owners vehicles that could hold all of luggage and it had a big screen tv in it, so we put one of our dvds in to watch, and fell asleep quite promptly. Although I slept nearly the whole trip Lewis on the other hand tried to but the roads were so bumpy he had a difficult time. Russian roads are not very good we have found out and we have also learned that many Russian drivers are crazy drivers. About 1 hour before reaching our destination the driver pulled over because he had a flat tire. When he went to change it the tool used to take the lug nuts off broke. It was raining outside and dark and he spent a long time waving down vehicles to help him. After an hour we were on our way again. Reaching our destination about 1am. So with all of the delays, we had hoped to be there around 8 or 9 pm and we were actually there 4 or 5 hours later. So exhausted and tired. What a trip so far.
Here is a picture that all should recognize, we saw this while driving the highway in Moscow.
Wow, what a full adventure just in the travel day+s you had.. my goodness glad you're both safely there.. Love reading your post..
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