BIG CITY, SMALL TOWN

Map of my Russian travel route.

Moscow & Suzdal

ARRIVING IN MOSCOW

There is a cheap flight from Pisa to Moscow that lands on a Friday afternoon. Alexei has a driver pick me up and bring me to an apartment and even recommends an excellent place for me to eat dinner. The next day, I walk to Red Square with its fascinating architecture and many tourists.

 
Onion domes in Russia.

ONION DOMES

The most memorable structure is St Basil’s Cathedral built in the mid fifteen-hundreds by Ivan the Terrible.

Across the street is a public park built in 2017 by the same landscape architects who built the Highline in New York City.

The park also has a great feature: a walkway jutting out over the river where you can watch the boats glide under the walkway while you have a great view of the park.

 
 

FAMILY & FRIENDS

City scene from Moscow.

I get a text message from Alexei asking me where I am. He say’s: “I’m sending a taxi to pick you up to have lunch with my family and friends”.

Over lunch it’s decided that Alexei and his son will accompany me to their country home in Suzdal. We will take the train and then a taxi. Since there is no time to pick up my luggage, Alexi sends a driver to pick up my bags and deliver them to Suzdal.

 
 

RUSSIAN PILOTS

On the way to Suzdal in the taxi, we stop at the Suzdal airport where Alexei has a hanger. His airplane is not here as it is in France being repaired. We go into the main hanger where there is a group of airplane enthusiasts building airplanes. They are so resourceful, they even mount a modified Subaru Engine on one of the planes.

At airport in Suzdal, Russia.
 
 
Pilot and small plane at airport.

MAGIC HAPPENS

One of the things I love about Alexi is you never know what adventure is up next!

We meet Constantine who has just flown in from Hamburg, Germany and is Russian. He and Alexei chat and then they are pushing the small plane to Alexei’s hanger to fuel it up so we can go flying!

We fly over Suzdal, where Alexei points out the onion domes of the many churches.

 

HISTORY

Suzdal is called the gem of the Golden Ring: a series of 8 small towns still architecturally preserved from medieval times.

Suzdal is a UNESCO world heritage site and dates back to 1024. It has a population of 10,000 and over 45 remaining churches. They are all going to heaven for sure!

 

HOME

The taxi driver has been patiently waiting and delivers us to Alexei’s country home.

Each frame around the windows of his house tells the story of Alexei’s life: where he grew up, the story of meeting his wife, his children, and flying.

People stop by just to look at the artistry of his house.

Intricate architectural detail from old home in Russia.
 
 
Cheerful Russian dinnerware.

ENTREPRENEURS

Saturday evening we have dinner at Vadim and Genia’s home. They also live in Moscow where they own a sausage factory and bookstores. In Suzdal, they own the best restaurant in town, and a pottery factory.

I learn that Genia has written a book on canning and recently has gone back to school for her MBA. Vadim recently purchased a 4,000 hectare farm outside of town.

Sunday, we have breakfast at Dimitri’s restaurant: another friend when more friends show up.

Alexei introduces me to everyone. His artist friend, Andrei Popov stops by as well as Igor, a teacher who invites me to go bicycling.

 

With my bike selected, I’m good to go…

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THE BACKSTORY

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MAKING FRIENDS