So after an exciting last night in Tallinn... we were out late and we saw the sunset and the sunrise as we walked in between bars. Sunset was after midnight, sunrise around 3am... pretty ridiculous
The bus ride to St. Pete was painful as always ...only like 350kms but it took a total of 7.5 hours. Driving straight through that should not take more than 4hours, but this is russia and you have to cross the border. Let me expand on driving in Russia, there are no street lines nor lanes, its a free for all. There is enough space for about 4 cars wide... but there is no rule about how many cars go each way, so at times its 3 cars going east and 1 car west and vice versa. No rhyme or reason when or why it changes, just at somepoint its move right or get in accident and hopefully someone moves right.
I did meet some nice Polish, Italian and Americans on the bus, we ended up all helping each other through customs, since no one at the border or on the bus really helps you.
So eventually we arrive at the border. Which the Narva/Ivangrod border is an amazing sight. Two medieval castles facing each other one with an EU/Estonia flag one with a Russian flag. This has been a fortified border since the 12th century. You could just imagine the wars fought at this border over the years. I wish I had pictures, but thats not recommended to do at a customs border.
First comes exiting the EU/Estonia... rather simple hand the guy your passport like normal and he comes back and returns them. A few people got removed from the bus, no idea why but whatever...
Then you get to the Russian border. No waiting. You have to get off the bus and get your belongings... and go into the customs house. Its kinda similar to airport customs. My Polish friends and I realized we didnt fill out the immigration card, which we hurriedly did so we wouldnt get stuck in Russia. Its fun since its all in Cryllic but we managed.
To enter Russia I simply handed my passport and immigration card to the lady, she scanned and examined my stuff stamped it. I walked through the nothing to declare line and boom, done.
I swear its harder to get a car in Canada from the USA.
I just hope the Russians let me leave, but staying wouldnt be so bad either.
So eventually we get to the station, my Italian friend and I are looking for the Metro, or Metpo here. We find it buy our tokens and off we go. It was easy to find our way on the map translated into English at the top, but after you descend what seems like a 15min escalator ride into the deepest metro in the world, nothing is translated.
But we managed and found our way.
We ended up splitting up after a stop or two, I had to change lines. Made it Nevsky Prospect, the huge main street of St. Pete.
My first impression of Russia.... I see a bunch fo old people burning flags, American flags that is and holding and waving Soviet flags... chanting something in Russian all I understood was Ameriki. One sign in English read... DOWN WITH THE YANKEE AMERICANS, THE WORLD HATES YOU
A great first impression, eh?
Well now i had about a 1/2 mi walk down the main street... surprisingly safe and I made it the hostel.
Tonight I just roamed St. Pete beer in hand alone from about 1am-3am, and i felt very safe. There are people everywhere, its like it was 6pm back in the states. The streets are so bright and the skyline and river are just beautiful. You could almost do all your sightseeing at night, if the museums were open.
So far so good... all those Russian myths are BS this is a wonderful, beautiful place. And for how big of a city it is I think its very safe. The people dont really interact much with strangers, and they are Russian so they are smoking and drinking vodka and beer
