Completion of my collection - Day 3

October 1, 2018

Today, I travel to Belarus. It is the completion of my journey through all of the countries of Europe. This is something I never imagined that I would attempt, let alone accomplish. I am so fortunate to have achieved this,

Last night, I connected with Anna, the daughter of the host in Belarus. We discussed how I would get there and getting to Mir and Nesvizh Castles. She tried but every tour was not running on Tuesday or Wednesday, the days I had to do so, I finally found a possibility on Trip advisor. If the agency approved, I had my tour. I booked it.

About 15 minutes later I received a message through WhatsApp. It was the tour agent. Alexandra told me that I could only travel the tour if three persons booked. She offered for €50 but she also said that I could travel privately for €75. As I had expected the group tour would be €75, I jumped at the chance for the private tour. I had wanted to take my time and was not wanting a group for this reason,

Alexandra cancelled the tour through Trip Advisor and I would pay in cash. I know this is preferable as they will not pay the TA a fee. I know it’s not good that they do this but it provides me the better experience, I received the cancellation confirmation this morning,

3:30 am came quickly as I had trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. UGH I readied my self quickly and Pilar made me some toast, cheese and some juice, it was nice of her to get up at 3am for me.

She asked how I would get to the airport. When I told her Metro, she held up 5 fingers...5am, ugh! She asked, taxi? I said ok. Then asked...Uber? She said “Si”.

The app said €17.50 and 4 minutes. I waited outside on the quiet street...alone, perfectly quiet. I got a message that the driver had cancelled. I panicked and tried to find another driver. The app wouldn’t let me go further as the screen was showing the driver still on route, I thought I would give it a minute as that’s how far he was...so the app said. Sure enough, he arrived when it said...confused but didn’t care. I had my ride,

It was only 10 minutes to terminal 2 but as I looked for what door number, I couldn’t find it. I googled my airline and it’s flight number...Terminal 1!!! Oh no! I told him 3 times with panic. He said “tranquil”.

He seemed to have trouble with his gps earlier and now he had trouble exiting the airport. Others were exiting but his car was not recognized. Finally it was and we moved on.

Terminal 1 was actually quite far as we even got on the highway to Barcelona. I thought he’d made a mistake but finally saw sign. Wow, it was many miles apart,

He made it there very quickly and wished me a good journey, I tipped him on the app.

The terminal was instantly familiar as the Vueling flights from Amsterdam arrived at this terminal. I found my check in, there are a crazy number of check ins at the terminal. The help was poor but I waited in a lengthy line to get to a kiosk. That was quick and easy and I was on my way to security.

After a bag swipe for drugs and explosives, my gate wasn’t very far. They did require me to check my carry on. It is big, by European standards. Oh well. I was given the priority line which was a bonus as the economy was very very long,

I tried to sleep but was only able to shut my eyes even though I was very tired. They kept turning on the lights when there was any turbulence...grrr

Arriving in Paris, I had to change terminals. This meant exiting the airport snd catching a bus to the other terminal. This was an easy process but the bus took over 30 minutes...surprising.

I had to go through security again. Not being aware of the exiting of the airport, I forgot that I had a drink in my bag so I was searched for my water and for drugs...again.

Upon successful completion of my screening, I found myself faced with a beacon of light, actually two. My favorite macaroon, La Diurée and my favorite cafe in Brussels, Exki, had locations here. Wow...wow :-) I bought a box and filled it pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, and rose macaroons. I can’t wait to savor these tasty treats. At Exki, I had my fave carrot salad, yoghurt with figs, and a fresh, hot croissant. I was in heaven. What a nice surprise.

I went through immigration and was stamped with a French stamp...hmmm.

The flight to Belarus was long and even though I tried to sleep. I couldn’t. I thought I did but it must have been only for a moment.

I was quite excited as the decedent was showing me the land of Belarus. The Minsk airport was quite small but that’s what I expected. As we entered the immigration hall, a woman was filming us… Strange. The flight was not full and there were no other planes As we entered the immigration hall, a woman was filming us… Strange. The flight was not full and there were no other planes disembarking so I expected the lines to be quite short I expected the lines to be quite short. I was very surprised to see that there were 11 immigration officers waiting for such a small plane.

I got online but when I heard the conversation that the agent in front of me was having with another passenger, I decided to get out of line. She was being told that she needed to get the mandatory health insurance. I had read about this and considered purchasing it in the United States. Some of my travel friends told me that it was much cheaper to just buy it at the airport.

I went to the counter and she asked what nationality and then how long I would be staying. She told me that I could pay it in your room or dollars. I paid in your room and it was fo I went to the counter and she asked what nationality and then how long I would be staying. She told me that I could pay it in euro or dollars. I paid in euro and it was 4.

Returned to the line and was quickly in front of the immigration agent. I presented my insurance and passport. There was no smile, she took a magnifying glass to my passport photo page, but she stamp my passport and I entered Belarus.

I went to collect my luggage as I was forced to check it in Paris. I had a moment of panic when I finally remembered that my medications were in my checked bag. The baggage carousel finished its run and I had no luggage. I saw a few people walk a different direction after asking someone what I assume to be about their luggage. On the other side of immigration there was another luggage carousel and they were pieces of luggage still on it. My heart was pounding, as it being lost would be quite tragic, but it did come around thankfully. I grabbed it and headed for the nothing to declare exit.

I looked for an ATM together some cash together. I had been trying to determine how much and that wasn’t really going very well but had made my mind up on 340 rubles. That’s about $170.

After taking out the money I was walking away I guy walked up to me and asked if I needed help. He was very young and handsome and so I was easily distracted. I told him that I was going into the city and he suggested that I book a ride to the office just behind me. I was apprehensive but the sign on the door said 30 rubles to Minsk.

I went inside and booked a ride into minsk. They only had executive cars left which are 40 rubles but that’s not much more in dollars so I excepted. It was a very nice car and the guy did not say one word the whole way. It was about a 40 minute drive into town and the roads were extremely nice and very clean.

Soon we’re at the apartment, only about a 30 minute drive. Driver knew just where to Brinley. There is a courtyard around the back of the building and the door I was to enter is Jasper he brought me. I actually thought it would be around the front of the building. At that point he finally spoke to me and with perfect English… Very surprised.

I messaged Anna and let her know that I was there. I rang the buzzer and she let me in. It’s five flights of stairs to get up, but I already knew this. Anna is very young and her English is pretty good. She tries hard. She let me know everything about the apartment and how to reach her. She also gave me some instructions as I wanted to know about the market, restaurants, and liberty Square which I plan to go this afternoon.

There is no exact historical record for the date when Minsk was founded. It was first mentioned (as Mensk) in the Primary Chronicle in 1067. That year the chronicle recorded a bloody battle between troops of Polatsk and Kiev princes on the banks of Niamiha river (tributary of Svislach). Minsk, which was a Principality of Polatsk town, was burnt down by the Kievan army during a war between Kiev and Polatsk. 1067 is now widely attributed as a founding year of Minsk, though the town (by then fortified by wooden walls) should have existed for some time before it could have been burnt down. Some historians believe, that Minsk evolved from an earlier village, which may have been founded as early as the 9th or 10th centuries.

All settled in and I changed into a long pair of pants and headed out to explore Minsk. I know I keep saying this but I was so excited to be out on the streets of men’s seeing what there is to see.

Independence Square is right outside my window, kind of diagonally. I walked to the corner and then after what seemed like 10 minutes, was able to cross the short Street. I then had to walk down the block to the underpass. In many Eastern European countries where there are many lanes of traffic you do not have a crosswalk, you cross underneath the street. This is the case here

Independence Square is a very very large open area, all concrete in the Soviet style, with two imposing structures. One is very classical and the other of the Soviet era and it’s block style. There were vertical banners lined up and waving in the breeze and from left to right they were the design on the flag and the green and the red. So altogether it was representing the flag. I thought it was quite amazing.

I see the bell towers and white ahead of me so I continue to walk toward them. I’m walking up from behind but I see all of the other old town structures that make this such a beautiful area. The Old Town sits on the eastern side of the Svislach River, bordered by Vul Maxima Bahdanovicha. Known as Troitskoe Predmestiye, or “Trinity Suburb”, the Old Town is not really that old. The original 17th and 18th century houses were recreated in the 1980’s. However, it’s a delightful place to walk around in. You can relax in quaint cafés or browse through the souvenir shops.

The square is quite colorful with churches with mosaic fronts, clay tile roofs, painted stucco, and details of Baroque style. It was a perfect backdrop for my European fantasies. I was in heaven.

I walked along the little kiosks, repeating each other in their offerings. Somewhere bit funny and that there was a witch that upon closer inspection look like she had a boob job. There were some whimsical characters some of which were military. There also some straw dolls with Belarusian costumes.

I hung out and absorbed being in this place, finally, and what it means to me. I don’t think I fully thought through what this means to me. I will go back on another day Henry visit this place and it’s thoughts.

I walked back to the main street to go to the market and what I found was very disappointing. They had a few soft drinks some milk some chips, and alcohol. This really was in the market and it wasn’t going to find food here. I bought some water and some bananas and that’s about it.

I don’t know what I was going to do for food now. I was hungry but there are times on trips that I get frustrated with finding food and I just go hungry. I don’t like it but I do it. I did get desperate and across the street from one another I had McDonald’s and I had TGI Fridays. I decided on TGI Fridays. I went and in their menu was quite limited but I did choose a salad and some french fries and a Pepsi. That was going to get me through and I hadn’t had many vegetables so was looking forward to the seller. Even though my waiter was friendly it took about 45 minutes for me to get my salad. again the seller was very good fries were OK and all together the meal was under seven dollars.

I return to the apartment and got used to having so much space in how to deal with it. I know that sounds funny but I’m not used to so much space. I edited pictures and wrote my blog and chatted with people around the world, as I frequently do when I travel.

Wow! I can’t believe I finally made it to Belarus. My first day is already been a good one. Tomorrow I have booked tours of the castles that I have so wanted to see for many, many years.

I’m excited to wake up tomorrow and see what it brings.