Tonight, five minutes before midnight, our train pulls out of Moscow and heads east for Beijing. We'll be riding the rails for about six days to the other side of Asia. We appreciate those of ya'll who've let us know how we should pass the time by picking a selection on our new poll. We're looking forward to the ride, but man, it's a long way, ya know?
Russia has been quite an experience, and one that we won't soon forget. Deni and I talked about it last night and in many ways we're glad we've come the route because we didn't just hop off the plane from Texas in the far east and have been able to slowly acquaint ourselves with some of the rigors of traveling in foreign lands. While we're still on the same trip, I feel like we're definitely starting over in many ways with our journey to Asia. We've learned a lot in the last two months about the world and ourselves. I'm looking forward to applying those lessions on a brand new continent for me (D's already been there).
The next time you hear from us, we'll have dim sum in our stomachs. Can't wait. We'll post the rest of our pics and tell you about the train after we arrive in Beijing Aug 31. This is our contact info there. We'll be in town until at least September 4.
DOWNTOWN BEIJING
Holiday Inn
98 BEILISHILU
FINANCIAL STREET, XICHENGQU
BEIJING, 100037
CHINA
Telephone Number: 86-10-68338822
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Another round of Lithuania with a Side of St.Petersburg
Bennigan's is not the only place that serves a sampler. This is a quaint little bar off the beaten path that serves traditional Lithuanian food. Here is a sampler of traditional herbal liquors native to the land...
We didn't really know what we were getting, but we saw that we got six drinks for about the price of one, so we went for it. It turned out to be Travktine, a Lithuanian herbal liquor. We tried them all and took notes, in left to right order:
1. Krupnikas - sweet wine gone bad
2. Malvnininku - rum with a bit of Starbucks dark
3. Trejos Debyner - ouzo with a kick
4. Dainava - Triaminic cough syrup
5. Strumbo Sarka - Jose Cuervo
6. Zagares - red cough syrup
The Lithuanians really love the stuff, so Deni was ready to start sampling. (The things we put ourselves through for culture).
B's a little scared...
Bill may have had a shot too many so he decided to go for a dip and wanted me to jump in. "Don't worry D-zer...I'll catch you!"
This is Cepelinai or Didžkukuliai, a traditional Lithuanian dish. It is like a gelatinious potatoe outside with some type of mystery meat filling. It was in a foot of grease and YUMM-O! "When in Rome," as Ron Burgundy would say. It was recommended by a Lithuanian gentleman so we recommended it the table beside us. We thought it was delicious but they thought is was dreadful! They very gladly handed it over for us finish. Our plan worked like a charm.
These are two English ladies we met at the restaurant, Jane and Julie. They didn't like the Lithuanian food or drink we recommended, so they handed it right over. Thanks ladies, your postcards are on their way!
After all the herbal shots and mystery meat filled potatoes, Deni was exhausticated!
Obviously Lithuania knew we were coming.
This is the chapel of the Dawn Gate. There used to be nine city gates in Vilnius, but only one remains today. When it was built in the 16th century, religious icons were often placed inside to help guard the city from attacks and bless travelers.
Inside the Dawn Gate is the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy. It is one of Vilnius' most famous sights. We saw a service performed up here and D took this picture.
We hopped a night train for St. Petersburg. We left around 6pm and got in about 12 hours later after passing through Latvian and then Russian customs.
Taking a break from our roommates (the Bill of Rights girl).
Bill insisted on peering out the window all night till we got to Russia.
We switched to a Russian engine sometime during the night. Now we're in St. Petersburg.
This is what the Russians REALLY think about Putin. Figure it out for yourselves.
In the background is The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. In the foreground is B, wearing a shirt that got him a lot of really weird looks in St. Petersburg.
This is D, looking very pretty. (D didn't want me to write that.)
The name of the church refers to the blood of the assassinated Alexander II of Russia, who was mortally wounded on the site on March 13, 1881. When he died, they built the church on top of the spot and today you can go inside and see the cobblestones where he fell.
Alexander III built the church in his honor and every inch of the walls are covered in intricate mosaics. It's one of the most beautiful churches we've visited yet. During Communist times, it was used for storage of potatoes or theatrical sets.
Another MySpace picture.
It cost us 100 rubles ($4) to take these pictures. You must pay to take pictures at most museums and cathedrals. You can get away without paying sometimes, but not here at Spilled Blood. We paid for an escort (a ticked off old babushka) to escort us throughout the entire church. She made sure, every two minutes, that we paid, every two minutes, for the priviledge, every two minutes, to take pictures, every two minutes.
We didn't really know what we were getting, but we saw that we got six drinks for about the price of one, so we went for it. It turned out to be Travktine, a Lithuanian herbal liquor. We tried them all and took notes, in left to right order:
1. Krupnikas - sweet wine gone bad
2. Malvnininku - rum with a bit of Starbucks dark
3. Trejos Debyner - ouzo with a kick
4. Dainava - Triaminic cough syrup
5. Strumbo Sarka - Jose Cuervo
6. Zagares - red cough syrup
The Lithuanians really love the stuff, so Deni was ready to start sampling. (The things we put ourselves through for culture).
B's a little scared...
Bill may have had a shot too many so he decided to go for a dip and wanted me to jump in. "Don't worry D-zer...I'll catch you!"
This is Cepelinai or Didžkukuliai, a traditional Lithuanian dish. It is like a gelatinious potatoe outside with some type of mystery meat filling. It was in a foot of grease and YUMM-O! "When in Rome," as Ron Burgundy would say. It was recommended by a Lithuanian gentleman so we recommended it the table beside us. We thought it was delicious but they thought is was dreadful! They very gladly handed it over for us finish. Our plan worked like a charm.
These are two English ladies we met at the restaurant, Jane and Julie. They didn't like the Lithuanian food or drink we recommended, so they handed it right over. Thanks ladies, your postcards are on their way!
After all the herbal shots and mystery meat filled potatoes, Deni was exhausticated!
Obviously Lithuania knew we were coming.
This is the chapel of the Dawn Gate. There used to be nine city gates in Vilnius, but only one remains today. When it was built in the 16th century, religious icons were often placed inside to help guard the city from attacks and bless travelers.
Inside the Dawn Gate is the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy. It is one of Vilnius' most famous sights. We saw a service performed up here and D took this picture.
We hopped a night train for St. Petersburg. We left around 6pm and got in about 12 hours later after passing through Latvian and then Russian customs.
Taking a break from our roommates (the Bill of Rights girl).
Bill insisted on peering out the window all night till we got to Russia.
We switched to a Russian engine sometime during the night. Now we're in St. Petersburg.
This is what the Russians REALLY think about Putin. Figure it out for yourselves.
In the background is The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. In the foreground is B, wearing a shirt that got him a lot of really weird looks in St. Petersburg.
This is D, looking very pretty. (D didn't want me to write that.)
The name of the church refers to the blood of the assassinated Alexander II of Russia, who was mortally wounded on the site on March 13, 1881. When he died, they built the church on top of the spot and today you can go inside and see the cobblestones where he fell.
Alexander III built the church in his honor and every inch of the walls are covered in intricate mosaics. It's one of the most beautiful churches we've visited yet. During Communist times, it was used for storage of potatoes or theatrical sets.
Another MySpace picture.
It cost us 100 rubles ($4) to take these pictures. You must pay to take pictures at most museums and cathedrals. You can get away without paying sometimes, but not here at Spilled Blood. We paid for an escort (a ticked off old babushka) to escort us throughout the entire church. She made sure, every two minutes, that we paid, every two minutes, for the priviledge, every two minutes, to take pictures, every two minutes.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
More Poland pix, plus a little Lithuania
The salt mine guides are pretty sharp dressers.
We went to Zakopane...
D: So, we went to Zakopane a town about three hours south of Krakow. We went to see the beautiful mountain range that seperates Poland from Slovakia. I read that you can ride a ski lift to the top of the mountain and stand with one foot in Poland and the other in Slovakia. We had actually checked out of our hotel this day and decided to roadtrip it to Zakopane, stand in Slovakia and Poland and just crash in our car. Well, about four hours, one tank of gas, and a loaf of bread later we get there. Walking up the mountain we notice everyone was walking down. That should have been a clue right there. We also thought it was weird that all the parts for the lift were scattered on the ground. But here comes BnD, du-doot-da-doot, with hope in our eyes. The damn thing was closed for rennovation....AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! We felt like Ellen and Clark Griswald getting to Walley World...four rims stolen, a dog dragged along the highway, and one dead aunt later...IT WAS CLOSED! Man, I do not think I can express how disappointed about this we were. Bill told me I could go to where all four states touched each other and stand in all four states, but to me it would just not be the same. I guess next time we are in Poland. Oh well, we'll just have to go to another mountain range and drink beer! And that is exactly what we did!
B: Ranchers in Poland don't need fences, they just chain their cattle down like dogs in the backyard. They do this all over the countryside and on top of the ski mountain we went to. Our assumption is that fences are a lot more expensive than a chain and a tree.
B: Okay, let's take another picture of ourselves.
D: Okay...I have no idea what this sauce is but it is the bomb! This is a typical Polish meal called "perogis". They are meat and potato stuffed dumplings and they are AMAZING!!!! They come in about 4 inches of grease but we assume that is what makes them so dang good. I do not think that the Polish have linked cholesteral and heartdisease. But again, let me tell you about this sauce. In most places you do not have to pay for it but here we did. It was like having to pay for salt. Maybe because we took a picture with it. This stuff is all over the place! I am getting excited right now just talking, typing about it. This sauce tastes like soy sauce but with beef broth powder in it. Very salty, but beefy and delicious!
B: Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco and Chopin left his in this pillar in a Warsaw cathedral.
D: Always Maxi-Pads. Kind of weird that they are advertised on a rickshaw, by a dude. Seems like it would make more sense if it was a woman. You know...hot summer day, riding a bike. But whatever gets the job done...i guess. "BILL...ALWAYS protection. ALWAYS awesome!"
D: Oh look...more fried stuff. I can hardly contain myself...!
B:We're at dinner in Vilnius, Lithuania. That is a fish called zander that's delicious and yes, I need a haircut. Lithuania is really cheap. We had an awesome meal with beer and cider and spent maybe $20.
B: We visited this Orthodox cathedral in Vilnius. These three were Christian martyrs hanged on this spot about a thousand years ago by pagans.
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