Curious about winter travel...

[wendaaaal]

Winter trips! I say go for it! My first trip to the FSU was to Novosibirsk in October 2001. I certainly remember my arrival. We're taxiing in, I'm thinking, it looks cold out there. Where's the Jetway?  ??? No Jetway (what was I thinking?), everyone sprints down the stairs and about 50 yards (across the icy tarmac) to the baggage claim. Baggage claim is in a unheated shed. Luckily, there were lots of taxi touts keeping me warm until I met up with my terp . The ride from the airport reminded me of the beginning of the movie "Fargo". Full moon glowing off the snow. Cars ahead of us sliding off the road, upside down in the snow. I'm thinking, "what the heck have you gotten yourself into?" ???.
 I had a great time there. The weather improved after my arrival, so it was more slushy than icy. Messier, but less treacherous on the sidewalks. Met some great ladies, most had never met a Western man. Plenty to do, opera, ballet, museums, restaurants, cafes all open, warm, and inviting! Met a lady I really wanted to see again, Lena. Got home to Texas and started writing and calling her. Didn't want to wait until summer to see her again, but not real keen on returning to Siberia in the winter .
 So, I hatch a plan. Lena, why don't we meet in Thailand or Malaysia in February? She says, "that sounds great, but let me check with Mama". Mama says, no way, not unless she meets you first and approves.
 O.K., so now it's plan "B". Fly back to Novosibirsk in February. It's -30C when I arrive! :hairraising: I take a deep breath and it seems like all my nosehairs freeze! Spent as little time outside as possible. It was so much drier than October that it really didn't seem so cold. Luckily, Mama give us the "green light" and we're on the way to Malaysia in two days!
 Would have to thoroughly agree with dressing in layers, extra boots and socks. Have a great trip! Wendell in Austin

[BC]

After a delay of 11 hours waiting at the boarding gate (they did serve us some sandwiches and soft drinks), the bus fianlly arrived, dropped us off at the airplane and left..  Guess what.. they would not let us board.. we had to wait standing in snow and -20C!  After about 10 minutes I stood at the bottom of the first class stairs and yelled up at the stewardess "Ya nee russki.. ya italianski.. ya holodna!!  The other hundred or so passengers roared with laughter..

We all boarded shortly thereafter.

 

[Kuna]

Thanks for the feedback guys, and thanks especially for the photos.

I love "off the beaten track travel" so even the scary stories are cool with me...  it certainly should be an adventure.


Kuna