Category: Estonia

Bus to Russia

SDSpivey

As the bus arrived, the bus had windows all the way to the back, no sign of onboard toilet.

We all gather around shoving our bags at the driver to put underneath.

There was an old lady (a babushka) in front of me and the steps were high, so I tried to offer a hand up, but I think she thought I wanted to cut in front of her. I was trying to be a good Samaritan, but I should act like a normal Russian.

I was in the second row, but I was in seat #1. WTF were the seats in front of me called?

I had the pillow and blanket, still in the bag, from the flight. So I placed them against the window and tried to sleep. Mostly successfully, I didn’t see much of the Estonian country side.

About midnight, as we neared Narva, on the border, we made a few quick stops and some people got off.

Then we entered a heavily fenced area, with multiple swing gates, and parked. The driver got off, spoke to the border police and opened the luggage compartments. An officer came on board, took our passports, examining each against our photos.

After about 45 minutes, the officer returned and handed back our documentation.

The bus departed, and stopped again about 1000ft later, another swing gate. The driver got out and showed some paper, the guard made a phone call, then let us proceed.

I thought we were through, but that was just the Estonian side.

After crossing the river, we went through another swing gate. OK, now we’re good.

Nope.

We drove a bit further and then stopped at a building. We all exited the bus and took everything inside. Oh, I see metal detectors and baggage x-rays. Great, more dis-robing.

Once I reached the window where the guard was checking documents, she did not know English, but scanned my passport and visa, then directed me to go back and wait a few minutes. I guessed she need to get an English speaker to come out.

Another guard comes over and takes me to a back room. Oh, great, secondary screening. The bus is going to leave me, I just know it.

He didn’t know English, either, but used Google translate on his phone. Super sophisticated. I presume that there would be someone in the daytime or weekends that knew English, just not now.

He asked me “Do you have metal in your pockets?” Then had me pass through a metal detector and back again.

He asked for my phone which I provided and he wanted my password. I indicated I had none and just swiped up to open it to show him. I asked if he also wanted my iPad, but nyet, he didn’t. I was then told to go back through the metal detector and sit down, and I waited a while.

I had to remove my watch for the security check in the frantic run to catch my plane. I had not replaced it yet, so no idea how long it was, much I’m sure it was shorter than it felt. The only consolation was there was another man there sitting before I went in.

Finnally, he called me back in (before the other guy) and gave me back my phone and escorted me back out. Phew, no rejection. I presume he swabbed the phones for explosive or drug residue.

The scanners were simple, just place everything on the belt. Nothing to remove, not even my jacket. But I had all empty pockets already.

I rejoined the rest of the passengers and a few minutes latter we all re-boarded the bus and departed.

After one last swing gate, we really were in Russia. Time, just under two hours.

We stopped a mile further up, at a gas station. Where some of the passengers got off and departed.

Many more were getting off and going into the store. So I decided to follow.

The restroom was bright and clean, but good bye to comfortable toilet paper, we’re in Russia now.

Yes, this is the first chance I had to go since I was on the plane to Warsaw, about 10 hours ago. It felt so good. I know, TMI, but true never-the-less.

Still a long way to go still, I tried to go back to sleep, but couldn’t. So I finished a TV episode on my iPad before trying again.

At about 3:30, I notice the light is starting to show on the horizon. It also did not get dark until 10pm in St Petersburg, which I think has something to do with the latitude and upcoming solstice.

The bus has a clock and a temperature display. It gets down to 5C (27F), but rises again as the sun comes up.

Tallinn, Estonia

SDSpivey

I arrived in Tallinn and proceeded to the exit. I called for an Uber to take me to the bus station where I had to get the bus to Saint Petersburg. The app said it was a grey Mazda, but when I see the front plate, it is white. I asked the driver, who had decent English, he said he didn’t know why. Once it said the car was pink. I don’t believe him, but he isn’t my competition, so I don’t care about reporting it.

Classic Soviet style building.

I went to the desk and verified I was at the right station, an import step if you want to get the right bus. It was correct.

Since I had over three hours to wait, I was going to browse the city a bit. I didn’t want to lug my bags around, I notice they have lockers, down a set of stairs, of course.

The lockers are 2 euros, but I don’t have any euros. There is an ATM, but even if I use it, I won’t have 2 euro coins. Likely, I’d have a 20 euro note, then I’d have to find some one to exchange it.

I know what most of this means, but what is a “pood”? Do I want to know?

A quick G-search and there is an exchange nearby, about 20 minute walk. I have the time, so I start walking. After about 7-8 minutes, I see that Google says it is still 19 minutes away. What? I am a faster walker than most people, so I should have covered way more.

Also, the sidewalks, where there was one, were cobblestone, not the best rolling surface for tiny luggage wheels. Took a few photos of interesting buildings along the way. But at some point I realize that I would still have to return all the way back along the same rough sidewalks. I turned the corner and went down a parallel street, back to the station.

I could just sit in the station and update my site while I wait.

Problem, no wifi at the station, so laptop can’t be used.

Second problem, the toilet is €0.40. Again I don’t have euros and especially coins. Another quick search shows a nearby McD’s (the only time I ever go, is to use the toilet), but it is further than the exchange. Well, I hope the bus has one.

There is a lot of bird screeching around the station, calls and what sounds like a fight. Only I realized later, it was a recording, probably to keep pigeons from shitting on everything.

It is cool, but I can handle it with just my flannel jacket. When I arrived, it was 16C/60F. By the time the bus pulled up, it was 20C/68F, but felt colder as the sun was going down.

More Hassles

SDSpivey

In Atlanta, all 3 boarding passes printed out. But I had no boarding zone on the Polish Air ones. I asked the lady checking as people boarded and was told I had to check in with the desk, where they issued me new ones. WTF were the boarding passes that I had good for?

I had managed to charge everything beforehand, but the bottle filler was too slow to stand and wait for, so I only had a bit.

They served meals, drinks, and snacks, so I didn’t dehydrate or starve.

Surprising me was the fact that I had metal fork, spoon, and butter knife. Actual metal, not plastic or bamboo.

I won’t comment on the meal. Airline meals are to give you something to do and maybe some nourishment, they have no need for flavor or quality. Even so, you are so grateful to get it.

I couldn’t figure out how to recline, so I did the same as my neighbor and laid forward on the tray table. Not comfortable at all, but got a few hours. That’s about what I’d get at home, so that’s OK.

I had noticed during the flight, that the Orbitz app had a gate listed for my flight out of Warsaw, but never for the flight in.

While boarding and then as people were getting off, I noticed they were playing music on the PA. I thought I recognized the latter music as Chopin. Then it hit me, we were at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Duh.

I had a aisle seat, near the front, so I exited quickly. I had to use the toilet, but we were about to land, so I figured I would just wait and use a real toilet.

A man was asking people their destination and directed them accordingly (well, at least mine was right).

There was a long hallway, with signs pointing towards my gate. However, there was a crowd down near the end. There was a security ribbon splitting the hall in 2, one side for EU/Shengen citizens and the other for every one else.

I could see ahead a passport control. OK, no problem, except I notice that my flight boarded in 30 minutes and I still didn’t know how far down the gate was.

I moved through quickly enough, but I was sweating a bit with worry.

And then…

ANOTHER SECURITY CHECKPOINT!!!!!!

I was arriving at the checkpoint right as the boarding was beginning. So I quickly kicked off my shoes (I just bought velcro shoes specifically for this) and unloaded my electronics onto the belt.

And of course, the woman before me still had her shoes on and was made to return and put them on the belt, along with her jewelry, before she could re-try. They made me wait for her to finish that. Then the guard waved the wand all over her, despite never triggering the metal detector.

I had to throw my stuff back in the bags and ran down the hall holding my shoes, because I didn’t have time to stop and put them on.

I haven’t checked, but I think the flight might have arrived late. There should have been 90 minutes for me to change over, minus the 20-25 minutes where the close the doors to begin departure.

Fortunately, they had just begun loading. I felt bad for the guy next to me, as I had run all the way from security, wearing my flannel jacket and backpack, so I was sweaty. I turned on the air vent, for the first time ever, so I should have blown most away from him.

Needless to say, but I didn’t have a chance for the toilet.

Three flights, three security screenings. Crap.

I know that the next 2 are going to also, but I am really hoping the last 2 don’t. I can’t take it.

New (old) Trip

SDSpivey3 Comments

I will shortly be heading off to Russia, visiting the cities of Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad or Petrograd) and Moscow, the capital city.

Yes, it was 3 years ago when Mom and I went to Houston to get visas to go. That was before lock-downs and border closings and sanctions.

My itinerary will take me from Atlanta through Chicago and Warsaw, Poland, before landing in Tallinn, Estonia. I will then need to take a seven and a half hour bus ride to Saint Petersburg. I know, you are so jealous of me getting a long bus ride.

As Estonia is in the Schengen Area, I don’t need a separate visa to enter. So I will have a few hours to walk around their capital before getting on the bus. I don’t have any Euros, but I can use my credit card if I find anything worth buying (or rather worth carrying around for over 2 weeks). But because of the sanctions imposed by the US, no American credit, bank, or debit cards will work in Russia. Fortunately, I have Russian rubbles, that I got back before the lock-down screwed everything up.

A idea I had when I went to Italy, take bank envelopes and divide up the money I need for each hostel. This allows me to spend without worrying about not being able to have my room. Russia is too cold to sleep outside <brrr>.

After Moscow, I fly through Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey, and Frankfurt, Germany, before returning to Atlanta. In total, I will spend over 72 hours in transit.

Interestingly, I will go through Atlanta, Warsaw, Tallinn, Moscow, and Istanbul. Each is the capital of their country or state. Not planned, just worked out that way.