Russia, Estonia, Finland
SIBERIA
I liked Siberia. After so long in the third world, coming into Russia felt like coming home--even in Buryatia, there's a distinctly European charm. A too-short visa kept me from Altai and the Far East, but I wasn't so bothered; I know I'll be back sooner or later.
Baikal.
AFTER
From Irkutsk I had so many ideas for where to go next.
...into Kazakhstan to buy one of those really cheap motorbikes.
...into the Russian Far East, Kamchatka, then Alaska again.
...into the Middle East via Georgia
But I decided to go to Sweden and Norway instead, and I had to be in Solleftea, Sweden, by June 12. My first thought was, 'what a shame to travel so fast', but there my options were before me.
I am in Ostersund, Sweden, staying with Erik Nilsson. It's June 11. Here are some pictures from the way.
Of course, Moscow. After 4 days on a train, this city was the loveliest in the world. Contrary to popular traveler's gossip, I found it an easy place to spend a few days.
Traveling with an English girl named Abby. We made a point of practicing Russian on as many poor locals as possible.
Gates of Europe,
Tallinn, Estonia
Approaching Helsinki on the Baltic.
Midnight sun in northern Finland.
I think there might be an expression along the lines of 'standing until your feet sink in the pavement'. If there isn't, there should be, if only for hitchhikers in Scandinavia.
It wasn't horrible, but certainly wasn't Alaska or New Zealand. Helsinki to Ostersund took 3 days.