Russian notes

I've been a bit grumpy lately. Not having any access to cash has made me, well, grumpy. Also it was pouring with freezing cold rain at 6:30 AM when I arrived here in Tallin (Estonia). The rain reminded me of some of the worst kinds of downpours we have in Vancouver.

Later it was snowing here in Tallin so I've been thinking I need to get further south. Before talking anymore about Tallin, I should mention my last day in Russia - if only to try and maintain some sort of chronological coherence.

On the last day I signed up for a guided walking tour of St. Petersburg. It cost 400 Rubles- 20CDN for about 4 hours. I was the only person who signed up that day so I got shown around the city by a tourguide and an her understudy (also a her). It was pretty casual, I wanted to try taking the bus as I'd figured out the metro by then and wanted to become more 'functional'. Anyway we toured the big sights together and went to a couple cafes which was cool.

What was funny is that the russian guide (I don't remember her name) had been on an exchange to Melbourne, Australia for a year or so, so she had an australian accent and would use certain phrases which just made me laugh before she could finish her stories. For example, "this cathedral was built by the famous italian architect XXX, who, poor bugger, died only 4 days before it was complete."

She also worked in the St. Petersburg hostel and we were talking about what people do in the dorm rooms *that they should not* and she told me that everytime they had an italian guests they knew to watch for extra guests... I have not run into any Italian tourists actually. Lots from Melbourne though *or Melbin as some pronounce it*

Getting out of Russia, I decided to take a bus to Tallin and check out the Baltic states. I went to the bus station early *about 4 hours early* to make sure I did not miss my train. While waiting in the station I did notice a couple kissing. They were kissing before I arrived and after I left. The Lonely Planet guide suggests that pubic displays of affection are not that common in Russia. I saw them everywhere. In my weaker momements, you might understand if I thought about learning how to say *get a room* in Russian :)

On the bus trip back, my seat was right at the back of the bus. Three other Russian guys joined me back there (dressed in the usual black leather jackets, jeans and black shoes). The only reason I mention them is that when we got close the the Russian border a military guy with a big hat with a red band got on the bus, walked down the aisle and gave these guys a lets-go-head-gesture and they got off the bus with him right before the border. I have no idea what that was about. My imaginiation is also unable to explain the situation (rationally).