Я приехал к границе и почувствовал, что мне жаль уезжать.
Ты понимаешь, что насладился страной, когда тебя посещает это чувство. Это поездка, от Владивостока, хоть и была
вызовом для меня, однако, не была настолько тяжёлой, как
я ожидал. Хорошие дороги, гостеприимные местные жители
сделали моё путешествие незабываемым! Я надеюсь, что иностранцы и сами русские осознают, что хоть здесь и трудно
жить, однако это страна прекрасна!
Итак, въезд в Монголию. Страна, в которую я бы никогда не
поехал, если бы она не была на моём пути домой. Первые несколько дней были как-бы продолжение России. Асфальт,
милый пейзаж и примеры гостеприимства. Через несколько
дней я приехал в Улан-Батор. Мне сразу понравился этот город. Это современный, но в то же время традиционный город. Сексуальные, одетые по-европейски девушки, и тут же
традиционно одетые кочевники. Местная кухня что-то между
Индийской и Итальянской. Я встретился с несколькими новыми друзьями, которых я встретил в гесте (хостел - прим.
ред). Я провёл два дня на известном «чёрном рынке», покупая
зимнюю одежду. Цены были настолько хороши, что я даже постеснялся торговаться.
I met my friend Zhanna and spent the next week in Irkutsk. I stayed with one of
her friends. He spoke only a little English, but again; a very nice and welcoming
host who I quickly could call my friend. Sergey was certainly one of a kind. One
of Zhanna’s friend was getting married soon and having her Hen’s night. Not
knowing what to do with me I was invited along. I had decided to stop drinking
a while back; a Yoga practice and daily 100km cycle is best done without a
hangover. I decided to have a break though and make the most of my Russian
experience. You can’t come to Russia and not have a drink, right? It was a
good day visiting Olkhon Island with Sergey and night with Zhanna’s friends. I
woke up with an unfamiliar feeling. It had been over 18 months since I’d had a
proper drink. And I felt it. My only regret came just before leaving when a few
of Zhanna’s friends stripped down and jumped in Baikal. Jumping in Baikal
with four naked Russian women. That doesn’t happen every day, and amid some
confusion, as soon as the moment passed I regretted it. Such is life!
It had been a great week in Irkutsk, but it was time to get moving again. I headed
back to Ulan Ude, said my goodbyes and set off to ride the few hundred kilometers
to Mongolia. The last few days were all about reflecting on my Russia experience.
I still had a month left on my visa so could have stayed longer, and would have
liked too, however it was getting too cold and I needed to get to Mongolia to buy
some winter gear. Waking up in the snow on my penultimate day in Russia was a
nice (albeit cold) surprise!
I arrived at the border and felt a sense of sadness upon leaving. You know you
have enjoyed a country when you have this feeling when leaving. Although it
was certainly a challenge riding from Vladivostok, its wasn’t as difficult as I had
expected. Good roads and friendly welcoming locals make for a memorable ride!
I hope that foreigners and Russians alike realize that although it is certainly a
tough place to live; there is a soft side to the Russian Far East. One which should
be experienced by all!
Russia; it was great and I hope to see you again one day!
So, enter Mongolia. A country I would never have considered travelling to if it
wasn’t on the road home. The first few days were very much a continuation of
Russia. Asphalt road, lovely scenery and some nice examples of hospitality. My
first stay in a Hotel was a night to remember. After looking forward to my first hot
shower since UU I was left disappointed when there was no hot water. However
the following morning, sounds of drunken domestic violence coming from the
next room were starting to cool my initial warm impressions of Mongolia.
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