Sadly, my travels from here on won’t involve replicas of the Soviet Space Shuttle. At least I assume it’s a replica. Seeing as I’m in Moscow right now, one can’t entirely be sure. Still, it’s a very cool thing to find by the river in Gorky Park, or Park Kultury as it’s more properly called. (And to demonstrate my cultural bankruptcy, every time I think of the words “Gorky Park”, I don’t think of classic novels but rather the Scorpions’ “Wind of Change”. For shame…)
Anyhow, there are plenty of folks on wheels in the park – roller blades, scooters and bikes. And tomorrow I’ll take to some iron wheels of my own: a four-day expedition by train to Central Asia, specifically Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.
St. Petersburg and Moscow have eased me into the Russian travel experience, but this is where my traveller’s credentials get tested. And given my recent troubles ordering dinner, that could be a test I’ll flunk. Still, there’s nothing like a challenge to force you to step up your game. And my game may benefit from some time in the wilderness. I’ll see you on the other side of the Internet…
The Clarity of Now 
I’m glad that’s not your ride… well, this time. While I’m sure Asia looks stunning from orbit, you’d miss the finer details you’re sure to see on rails. In the middle of nowhere. In a land of no English, perhaps. In the middle of the largest continent on Earth… Hmm. Have I told you you’re brave? You are. But how marvelous!! Because adventure without risk is just Disneyland. * Cheers. Travel safe.
* Coupland, I think — I love the quote.
Also, do you know what is a shame? Maybe one thing that Livejournal maybe got right — I hate that you can’t title comments on WordPress. Because it really, really would have been awesome to title that one: Discovery. Endeavor. Even Atlantis, Challenger, Enterprise?
NASA knew what they were doing…. So do world travellers. 🙂
They did. Hopefully our adventures up there haven’t ended yet. I have a lot of places I’d like to visit before I shuffle off this mortal coil, and “up there” is definitely one of them.
In the spirit of the internet, here is a comment that completely ignores the intent of the post.
Gorky Park the movie is great, must try to watch it again soon.
I really need to read the book, let alone the movie…
(laughing into my tea)
Mick, you rule.