Novosibirsk

Yes, here we are finally in the city of Novosibirsk! Wow, what a trip to get here....our flights were all great, but our time in the terminal in Moscow was rough!! We arrived in the morning and our first task was to change terminals and we had been told not to get a taxi and they can rip you off - so we looked for the 'free shuttle bus' we had been told about. Oh boy, what a feeling when you don't understand a language and can't find anyone who understands what you are trying to say. Finally, by sign language etc we were pointed in the way of the bus station but once there couldn't get anyone to understand us!! Everyone was full of advice but we couldn't understand a word of it. One bus driver eventually said he was going to the other terminal but we had to pay for ourselves as well as our bags - which we did!! Then this bus seemed to be going out into the country and we began to wonder if we were going in the right direction - a couple of ladies on the bus tried to tell us we were on the right bus so we just sat there and hoped for the best!! We finally arrived at another terminal and it was a little traumatic trying to find our way around as even less evidence of English was to be seen there!!
We eventually found out that we couldn't check our bags in until 2 hours before our flight was due to leave so that meant we had to lug our bags around for about 8 hours and there was very little seating availabe and crowds of people. So we finally found a table with a couple of chairs and hung out there for the 8 hours or so before we could check in taking turns to go for a walk around the place. I would say that was the hardest part of the whole trip!! Waiting in lines here takes forever - just the lines through Customs in Moscow took 2 hours and we seemed to just stand still. It was the same when we went to check in to leave for Novosibirsk where you had to line up to get your bags all xrayed and then line up again before checking in - good lessons in patience.
The plane we flew in from Moscow to Novosibirsk was a Russian built Ilyushin (the equivalent of a 747)...but it was so big and roomy inside with the ceiling very high up but small seats close together and wide isles - seemed strange. You had to walk up stairs in the middle of the plane to get to the seating etc.
So, now we are here - Les and Misha were at the airport at 5.30 a.m. to meet us and it was great to see them again. It was about a half hours drive to their apartment where Debbie and Sydney were still sleeping!!
We had a first good day catching up and going for a couple of walks - they live one block from the centre of the city so everything is pretty much within walking distance.
Everything here seems very old and we feel like we have gone back in time - cars, buildings etc - but the locals are very modern in their dress etc so a strange combination.
We were in bed asleep by 7.30 last night and nearly slept for 12 hours so I guess we are catching up.
Until the next edition.......