Travel Day 10-9-08

Got up earlier and got ready to leave for Novsibersk. We rode the Metro during rush hour which was a joy with our luggage. Packed wall to wall with people and suitcases made for an interesting ride. We then hopped the train to the Airport which was much less crowded. Met Sasha Kovalenko in the airport and off we went. No hitches in security and time for a tea before we left. Once airborne it was like going back in time to the era when you got a lot of service on a plan and not just a glass of pop and some pretzels. First we were given newspapers, then drinks, then a full course meal that was too much food to eat. But wait. After that here comes the teacart. It was amazing.
Once in Novosibirsk we had to set the watches ahead another three hours making me a full half-day ahead of everyone at home. Then we met another Sasha that would be our host. Now I a riding with three Sashas. It gets a bit confusing at times but I am managing ok since the new Sasha speaks as much English as I speak Russian. We got the riding tour of Novosibirsk at night. A town of about two million that looks like Des Moines.
For diner it was Mexican. Taco salad with a mariachi band playing and singing in Russian. A strange clash of cultures at best. The funny thing was that I thought, “hey I will have some Sangria, a nice refreshing fruit drink.” So the Sashas thougth that would be good to try and we all ordered one. When the brought the drink I knew something might have been lost in a translation. The drink looked like a V8. But I thought maybe like many other things here it must just look different. We all took a drink and let’s just say there is not language barrier when it comes to coughing and spitting. It was like thick Tabasco sauce. We had a great conversation and I got to know Sasha L really quickly. He is a very bright and friendly brother in Christ.