As if there was not enough to worry about in the world ... now news about the war in the Ukraine. Both of us being from Europe, me having visited the Russian occupied East Germany as a child so I could spend time with my family (especially grandparents) who could not visit us in the West ... lots of emotions, besides the horrible brutality.
James and I love to travel. We were very fortunate that his job came with traveling and wives were sometimes invited. We were also very fortunate to have taken other opportunities when they were there such as the the short window of being allowed to visit Cuba from the USA, or walking the Camino Pilgrimage or hiking the Jesus Trail while our bodies were still stronger.
And there was the River Cruise in 2003 from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Cruises are a wonderful way to travel but river cruises are the tops. Really! No hotels the whole time we were in Russia.
We had 3 days in Moscow - Read Report A
There were 5 stops to visit places while sailing - Read Report B
Then 3 days in St. Petersburg - Read Report C
We went through 18 locks and sailed 1805 km (1121 miles). It was awsome. And that is why I felt so compelled to blog about this trip. We saw so much gorgeousness. Beautiful churches. The towns. The countryside. The people were so nice. We felt good walking around by ourselves. The little villages where we were invited into people's houses to see how people lived. Yes, they earned a little income that way but everybody was so friendly, offering tea and nibbles ... or a schnapps. Even the street vendors were nice peddling their handmade things like knitted "wedding ring" scarfs.
To get back to why I felt I needed to finally write this report: It is not the common people in Russia just like you and me who are causing the horrible war in the Ukraine right now.
Thank you for posting this, Christa! It is so important for people to know that there is such a difference between the government and the people.
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