Photos and maybe some more stories...

This trip has been so unbelievably interesting for me. I've met amazingly friendly people all along the way. I haven't seen my photos on a computer yet and i think most of it will be rather boring and doesn't fulfill any artistic criteria but is purely documentary. However I'll post a some of it at the latest when i get home to my computer. To get this done here is pretty much impossible.

Getting close to the finish line

I think i haven't posted anything since Sumy. That was the last Ukrainian city before the Russian border. I didn't cross the border that day, as I passed a scenic little lake that afternoon. And I couldn't resist and had to jump into the lake like some locals. I really don't know why i haven't started this any earlier. It's the perfect measure for a quick cool down. I just take off my shoes and helmet and then walk in with my clothes... The next 15min on the bike are simply enjoyable. Not terribly hot for once. Ukraine presented me with an absolutely lovely family of grandmother, mother and daughter that night. I was invited to spend the night in their house, was shown the chicken, ducks, pigs and their vegetable garden. Later i was fed with huge amounts of great tasting food, all of it from own production. the next morning i was really early at the border. Before 7am. The Ukrainians were totally friendly and so i expected some trouble on the other side. But instead i was done in 10minutes. They even filled in the forms for me, because they wanted to have them written in Kyrillic letters and didn't believe i would be capable to copy down my name from the visa. So anyway, a handsome border officer did this for me and i was not checked any further but sent into the country. So first thing to do was to find a bankomat and get some Russian cash and a second breakfast. An ugly little town offered both. But not without the first few "njet"s. Cyclists are really not on top of the ladder here. And trying to get your bike into any safe place here is a mission, because there don't seem to be any bikes of value around. So your expected to leave it on the road. i left this town after being held up by some friendly but totally annoying person from some little local newspaper. This whole episode was so bizarre and funny, i should have had a secret camera with me. i cycled past Kursk that day and yesterday passed Voronesh. Today I'll pass Tambov. 237km and 1.5 days left.

Almost at the border

I am about 40 to 50km before the Russian border.
Have to leave the internet cafe. Time is up. I did only 100km yesterday, hope to catch up a few kilometres today. But this will only be possible if they let me pass the border. Hopefully no troubles because I am travelling by bike, not by car.

Anyway, I have done 2261km by now. Still optimistic :)

Last night I spent with a Ukrainian family. Really friendly people. I was served lots of really tasteful food and - of course - vodka and beer. Was invited to sleep in the house. Which I did. Was like sleeping in an oven. Unbelievably hot.

It's hot here all day - I really have to start cycling earlier. Started around 7.30 this morning, and it was definitely much better than the other days. Ok, have to get myself to the border now. More adventures waiting.

I hope to get to Kursk by tomorrow night.