Perpetuum mobile Aeroflot

Just heard on the radio:

No flights from Frankfurt am Main, airport personnel on strike.

The thought struck me – excuse the pun – when did I hear last about a Moscow airport, airline or any related personnel starting an industrial action?

I’ll tell you: it was twenty years ago, after the market economy made a glorious entry into this country. I was trying to make both ends meet by private English lessons, and two flight operators happened to be my students. Though much more affluent then I was, or will ever be, they used to be on strike quite often - mostly at school vacations. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not as caustic as I seem; in fact, French railway strikes always coincide with – but hardly are limited to - Festival de Cannes.

Well, time goes by. Whatever happens, our national carrier Aeroflot keeps going, and so do our Russian railways, not to speak of the Moscow metro.

And please don’t misunderstand me again, I am not saying this is good or bad. Just stating the facts.

VISA MATTERS

Scores of complaints from frustrated tourists:

Russian visas are expensive, hard to get and in general a real headache.

Having enjoyed British, American and Schengen consular services I can tell it’s not for the faint-hearted either.

Of course there is always a roundabout way, too – making things definitely more expensive and probably more complicated. With just one internet click you will find a dozen companies who will promise to fight the red-tape for you, but that’s at your own discretion. You would not want me to enter your country on a fake invitation and visa? Small wonder border guards here would not be very happy to see you do the same.

This list of Russian Embassies abroad is long and dull. But it is legal.

I suggest you try it to begin with. If they don’t help you here we’ll look for other ways.

Hello, everyone!

I have been active in travel forums for ages and then I thought – why not start my own? In fact, it’s a travel site I had in mind, looks much more organized and easy to use.
I am mostly writing for those who have more brains than money, like me.
Too bad haven’t got time right now either, will have to do with a blog so far. Ok?

P.S.
This flippant name – Moscowow – not my fault, really. No sensible address available any longer. I am as earnest as a Red Square cobblestone – you’ll see.