Czech Check

Scored row 8 ticket for Czech vs. Switzerland at 2/7 the cost. Only problem is I'm at the airport, don't know where I'm staying, haven't eaten and the game starts in 90 minutes.. Let's go Tomas Kaberle!

Moscow Positions

Security Guard

Requirements include:
- Grumpy attitude
- Scowl
- Laziness
- Simple mindedness

Must be able to spend long hours doing nothing, even when the metal detector or alarm goes off

Starting date: I imagine we can find one mall entrance, apartment building, store, bar, or street corner somewhere in Moscow that doesn't already have a guard and surely requires one.

Snow removal technician

Flexible availability a must as you're going to be on the sidewalk during and after every snowfall. Your role will be vital in keeping Moscow's sidewalks clear of the enemy, slush. Do not fret about recent warm temperatures as you can still work by leaning on your broom or shovel and occasionally shifting one snowbank to another.

Note that those who show promise may move up in their role, literally. Select roof clearing positions available if willing to strap in and shovel roof tops down onto the passers by.

Luggage handler

Strength and good humour will make you the perfect candidate for manipulating one large backpack from city to city across eastern Europe. Beginning immediately and continuing for four months. Rate set at one Canadian dollar ($) per pound (lb) per hour (h) - approximately $40/h. Room and board not included.

Moscow Animals

Sure almost every city has pigeons, it's the little brown birds here that get into everything from the pedestrian underpasses, to the subways, to the malls and even spotted in the grocery store.

The fabled Moscow strays haven't been nearly as prominent as anticipated. I have only seen a pointy eared, perky tailed, brown and tan pup cutely trotting around an outdoor mall receiving the attention he desired, and two days later that pup all grown up and lazing on the snowy slope of the Kremlin. No subway spottings yet!

In the sports betting bar there was cruelly a maze which fat rats were being raced through much to the disapproval of, well of only me, since there was nobody else present.

Finally the chickens! Seen both in the roads and behind the wheels. Primarily at well marked crosswalks of 5 lane streets where the one behind the wheel refuses to stop until the other one on the road is actually directly in front of it in its lane. Nearly witnessed a chicken with its head knocked off as lane after lane of brakes locked up one snowy, frozen morning.

Armoured but Hardly Dangerous

As instructed by a few guides I arrived at the Kremlin ticket office a dozen minutes before opening hours but with a scant few wannabe patrons milling about it seemed unnecessary. A couple minutes after schedule (or on Moscow time) a ticket window other than the one we were all queued at cracked its blinds and naturally all of the people who had arrived after me were huddled around it before I could even consider jumping ship. Sighing I couldn't beat them and scooted over just in time for the few behind me to bump up to the now opened window I had just vacated.

Despite ending up at the very end of all lines it appeared I'd still have a crack at an Armoury ticket but the lady refused me. As I'd just witnessed from an adamant 12 year old boy (and had already witnessed on a few previous occasions) the appropriate reaction when told 'no' by somebody is to raise your voice, gesticulate wildly and laugh defiantly in their face - but without the language I could hardly accomplish step one, and two and three just aren't my style. Eventually I deduced she simply couldn't make change for my thousand rouble bill (baller!) and I joined the end of yet another line before securing my ticket and scurrying after the surprisingly spry fur-coated Russian grandmothers and juvie. Pulling up to the ubiquitous security gate just in front of a gaggle of Russian school children I regretted not bringing my headphones and was relieved to find an English language audio guide.

It succeeded only in offering the dullest explanations of some of the most astounding artifacts I have ever seen. "Here is the solid gold 3kg plate holding Catherine the Great's wedding crown consisting of the invaluable gems seen, encrusted with over 300 diamonds. Now please direct your attention to case 22 behind you." No warning to first put on your sunglasses for the glare from the jewels nor a moment to close your gaping mouth before "this chain mail from the 12th century is composed of 20,000 individually stamped hoops, making it easier to manoeuvre than the full body armour seen weighing twice as much at 30 kg. This was *yawn* donated in 1864 by somebody you've never heard of." And finally having pointed out an entire-lamb-sized golden platter depicting a long tale within its carving the monotone added, as if an afterthought, "this is one of a 3000 piece set." There are 2999 more of these??

Perhaps my favourite understatement of this magnificent collection came from the numbered explanation index cards in each cabinet - presumably provided to further enlighten visitors about the treasures on display. Curious about the pair of metre and a half tall intricately engraved silver and gold v-shaped objects I looked them up to be told simply "Giant Cups."

Having whistled, laughed and impressed-scoffed my way through the extraordinary exhibits of utter opulence, while successfully dodging the young groups of nose-pickers, I had returned to a late fifteenth century copper globe. It showed only partially discovered coast lines on many continents and 'Terra Australis Incognita' engraved over an otherwise blank south pole. As I marvelled a Russian man around my age struck up a conversation, a rarity as most people either blush or bluster when I speak in English, and soon found myself sharing a drink with a third Russian man of the week, learning about the politics, education and lifestyle of my host country while also picking up on the common attitudes and beliefs. As an added bonus he was visiting from the Russian city I am set to visit post Olympics, Krasnodar, and has agreed to show me around!

Moskva

All was swell traveling from Toronto to Moscow. Following a proper sendoff the night before I didn't have much trouble catching a few winks between gladly seeing that Life of Pi largely stayed true to the book and assisting the elderly, Russian-speaking gent in the aisle seat next to me with his screen. He may not have much technological prowess but, oh boy, what a bladder!

Olympiad and far beyond!

Last time around the Olympic Winter Games were held on home turf - Vancouver2010! The sheer excitement of sport with everything on the line and the world's eyes cast upon it all was exhilarating. It was there that I vowed to follow up at the next games; to see just what it would be like with someone else playing host. Four years less a month later I'm on the verge of embarking on that trip, true to my resolution (ahem Jon).

And while I'm at it, since I've got to trek all the way to the rich Russian summer resort town of Sochi, I figured I would make a journey of it. First to ease into Russia I'll need to tour the Kremlin, then following the games I'll make my escape overland (and over water) to the motherland - or at least my grandparent's motherland (on my father's side) to Ukraine. Circling the Black Sea should see me touching Moldova on my way to sliding through Romanian and Bulgarian on a snowboard trip, seeing as my original option to pass the winter, Egypt, isn't exactly politically accessible at the moment. From here it is a country that has quickly shot up my lengthy "To-See" list so I'll be going slowly through Turkey, surely seeing the wonder of Cappadocia. Then it's Greek island hopping to the mainland for some history. I've got a commitment to a number of Croatian brown bears so I'll be zipping up the coast to meet them via Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro (let you know what those are about when I figure them out!) Finally once I hug a bear goodbye my sister, Katherine, should be joining me for three weeks of hiking and history, ferries and food, as we run down the Croatian coast and over to Italy. All this (presumably) brings me back 'round these parts in June - hopefully with a gold medal around my neck... or at least a picture of me with one.

The journey begins February 9th so mark your calendars, bookmark your browsers.. Stefan Spies again!

New Zealand Take-Aways

A stunning country to look at; the scenery is rather incredible. The small population are friendly and seemingly eager to please, having not felt much unease except perhaps out the car windows of screaming youths. It was surprising to learn that the land of grass and sheep was significantly changed from the pre-European settlement of less than 200 years ago. Only about 1/3 of forest still stands, much of it fell to timber and then for grazing livestock (sheep and increasing numbers of cattle). Still the natural towering mountains, the glaciers, ocean-fronts and rock-strewn fields are remarkable and made sleeping on the bus feel like a shame. Certain areas offered a gluttony of activities, such as the adrenaline-fueled Queenstown in the south island. The jet boating and canyon swinging there, not to mention the raucous nightlife any day of the week, were definite early highlights. Rotorua on the north island compared excursion-wise with fantastic zorbing, plus decent rafting, downhill street luging and more. The glow worm caves of Waitomo are amazing in their uniqueness, as was the jaw-dropping fjord of Milford Sound in the south.

Small towns dominate and offer pleasant stops, though there's only so far I think I could sustain myself on pretty surroundings alone. Then the cities come in and Wellington stands as one I could see myself living in (except perhaps for the limited international touring music acts). Small enough that it isn't overwhelming but large enough to have a cultural scene, from museums to sports to restaurants, it was actually quite quaint for its size. Christchurch, as previously mentioned, is in a huge state of flux but will undoubtedly be an interesting place to watch in years to come. Auckland on the other hand seemed lifeless, a smaller version of Sydney without the visual pleasantries nor the vibrancy. Perhaps it was too big for me to crack into in such a short time. Dunedin felt overly like the uni town it is, especially so as it was the heart of frosh week, with toga parties and drunk teenagers all about.

All in all it was definitely a gorgeous trip and a worthwhile one. Contiki touring has its advantages and disadvantages, especially in a country like this. Some days seem to be just rammed full of driving, and despite the sights it still gets old. While others you find yourself in small towns on dead nights with little to do when really you'd like to be spending more time in the action, or at least in a place to relax of your own choosing. I'd have loved to have taken whole days to climb mountains and explore but scheduling rarely allowed for it. (Doing it again I'd at least consider a hop-on, hop-off option, such as Kiwi Experience, to allow for more of that desired flexibility.) In the two weeks it did pack in tonnes of sights and outings, information, parties and friendships. Having essentially completed the highlight tour I don't feel the pressing urge to return in short time. No matter it was absolutely fun, fully enjoyable and worthwhile. Excellent as it was I feel I've now checked it off the list and will be moving on to new, exciting places. Watch this space to see just exactly where those places will be in the years to come!