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Hello all!
A friend and me shall go to Russia for one week of vacation on March 20 to 27.
2 days in Moscow and 6 in St-petersburg.
Highlights of the week (and the original reason for the journey): 2 concerts of MANOWAR in Moscow (21) and St-Petersburg (23) 8)
So, folks, any Russian in these cities? JarlWolf? Others?
Want to drink with us? To show us things? To show us decadent things? :D
We speak French, Italian, English, German and some Czech.
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You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?
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That's a fair bit of a drive for me: given I live more into the country. I live farther east then that, past Volgograd.
But if you drive down my way we could possibly arrange something... if not I can easily suggest some nice spots to hit and see.
I'm a tad too old to be really going out drinking and partying though; but if you do head out this way a visit or something is possible, maybe a few free nights sleep or something.
But I don't know if you'd feel like going out to where I live.. im pretty far from either of your destinations.
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Want to drink with us? To show us things? To show us decadent things? :D
Tell me exactly where you are going in either city(What hotel you have booked, etc), and I'll give you some directions for nearby "points of interest"... ;)
We speak French, Italian, English, German and some Czech.
You should really invest in either finding a guy who speaks Russian, or stick to the more metropolitan areas then. English and French is spoken by the odd few, but in all honesty Russian is the norm, and while people are helpful, don't go off the "beaten path" so to speak. I'd offer to help you folks but im not exactly fit to gad about Moscow and St.Petersburg anymore. As fun as that sounds... and MANOWAR would be awesome to see... But I don't have tickets sadly, nor do I know exactly where they are playing. :-\
(Brothers everywhere, raise your hands into the air! Were warriors, warriors of the world!)
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You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?
Of course!
My friend has bought a guide, we'll see what must be seen
I'll come here with the hotels'names as soon as I know them.
Now we have mandated the travel agency to get our visas; russian bureaucracy, even for tourists, seems like the nightmare we thought it was... :o
Otherwise, having worked with a few Russians and people from the Soviet space, I already warned my friend:
- not to talk about politics!
- not to stroll at night!
- not to get too drunk!
- not to choose an hotel too cheap!
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You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?
Of course!
My friend has bought a guide, we'll see what must be seen
I'll come here with the hotels'names as soon as I know them.
Now we have mandated the travel agency to get our visas; russian bureaucracy, even for tourists, seems like the nightmare we thought it was... :o
Otherwise, having worked with a few Russians and people from the Soviet space, I already warned my friend:
- not to talk about politics!
- not to stroll at night!
- not to get too drunk!
- not to choose an hotel too cheap!
Also, don't spend lots of money at once at bars or shops, especially in more public places. If people know your a foreigner with lots of money, good chance you'll get robbed. Spend your money conservatively, for both your wallet's sake and avoiding trouble. And do NOT spend too much time in the metros and trains, especially big cities St. Petersburg and Moscow, there is a fair bit of rowdy youth and 20 year olds who tend to clique on those spots and if they think they can get away with stirring up trouble they'll spot it out like a pack of wolves.
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And what should we ask for in restaurants? What are russian specialties?
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And don't forget to grab some screenshots and post an AAR here. St. Petersburg is definitely on my bucket list and I hear Moscow is cool as well.
Have fun! ;b; I'm sure you will.
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And what should we ask for in restaurants? What are russian specialties?
Depends on the restaurant really, soups are all very good, and in St.Petersburg I suggest meats and kebabs, or the more traditional shashlyk's, which is marinated meat, like a kebab but more flavourful. Generally in St.Petersburg in particular any seafood/fish and meat should be fairly good. There is also different pastries like pirozhki, which is something akin to a Ukranian perogi if you've ever had those: Pastries/bread based pack filled/stuffed with meat, rice and some onions. It can vary, sometimes it has veggies too; depends on the restaurant.
And of course booze, but be conservative of how much you drink.
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3 days till Moscow!
Television says there were patriotic demonstrations at every corner today. We are not afraid. 8)
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We are not afraid. 8)
You're into patriotic demonstrations? ;cute
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No. Not even for my own country.
I prefer greatly writing inflammatory nationalistic comments on social networks. :D
I already told my friend: in Russia, if we see a demonstration, don't try to know which side of what it is, just go the other way as fast as possible before the OMON arrive! ;)
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Heh, sounds like you're your friend's guardian angel. ;yang;
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He's a Swiss Death Machine...
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He's a Swiss Death Machine...
Whats the difference? ;lol
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From who?
Tough knows tough, and Russians will respect Vish.
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I hope for I respect them, having worked with some in the military.
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So you're really from Switserland?
In that case, any tips on a "must see" in Basel, Zurich, and Luzern?
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I am back!!
travel review and pictures will follow.
So you're really from Switserland?
In that case, any tips on a "must see" in Basel, Zurich, and Luzern?
I don't know these 3 cities so well so what is a "must see" for you (monuments, museums probably, or bars, discos, or landscapes and nature)?
If you have a car, there are fine places not so far: Switzerland is not so large.
And I am around Biel/Bienne (and have a car).
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I am back!!
travel review and pictures will follow.
;excite;
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I don't know these 3 cities so well so what is a "must see" for you (monuments, museums probably, or bars, discos, or landscapes and nature)?
For me, nature. That's why we'll be spending a few days in Zermatt as well. Old towns/castles are my thing as well.
No car, my companion wanted to follow a century-old traintravel guide so we're going with a Swiss pass.
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For me, nature. That's why we'll be spending a few days in Zermatt as well. Old towns/castles are my thing as well.
No car, my companion wanted to follow a century-old traintravel guide so we're going with a Swiss pass.
A lot of things have changed in a century.
Zürich and Basel are the biggest cities here, the former is the place of banks and big business, the latter the place of chemical and pharmaceutical industry; neither seems to me to be what you're looking for. Luzern yes.
If you're not in a hurry, we can discuss the subject.
I come from and have been living all around the French-speaking part so it's what I know best but the rest is also familiar to me. If you send me some details (by PM if you want) such as your number of days here, the time of year and...your age (necessary to know if you like to eat/drink/party or can walk the mountains), I'll come back with suggestions certain to meet your attentions. ;b;
For the Russian review...it'll be coming soon. My friend has already posted the pictures on Facebook, I can retrieve them. 8)
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The trip is based on this documentary.
Great Continental Railway Journeys (Michael Portillo) Ep.4 Switzerland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNl9NQcqbR4#ws)
No rush for advice. We'll arrive in Basel on the evening of May 1st, and of course spent the night there. Day after, we leave for Zurich. and are booked for 2 nights. Sofar the Roman ruins in Brugg, and perhaps Oerlikon park are on my list. The fourth we're going to Chur to board the Glacier Express all the way to Zermatt. 7th and 8th is devoted to Luzern (with a lake trip between Fluëlen and Luzern), and the 9th we return to Basel to take our train home the 10th.
For a possible meet&great, I only see a small window the 9th (a Friday) where I could go to Bienne either as a stop on my way back to Basel, or drop of luggage and companion in Basel before noon and go south again on my own (the latter is most likely, she's a retired person).
I believe this will be my fifth time in Switzerland. The last few times I've been to the Jungfraujoch region (Grindelwald) and Bodensee surroundings. Btw, my French is "abominable", even being a Belgian. ;)
I'm curious to see where you've been in St. Petersburg. :D
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travel review and pictures will follow.
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travel review and pictures will follow.
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For Christ'sake, Man, let me some time!
Russia let me broken, I had to do the laundry, administrative, I still have to clean the flat...
But IT'S COMING, don't fear! 8)
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Two days is time. ;nod
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Two days is time. ;nod
What? A hippie rushing things??? :P
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Hippies suck.
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;hypocrite
;cute
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Why? Hippies DO suck.
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But you are (were?) one... ;spock
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I look like one, and have lived among hippies. But I was never much of one - I was rarely stoned/drunk, always knew what time it was, and wouldn't vote for Nader.
Also, me busting on hippies is not hypocrisy, but rather self-aware irony. There's a difference.
And it's gettin' up on three days I've been waiting on those Russia pics. [checks watch]
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As you wish...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbErm.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbEngineersPalace.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbBloodSaviourChurch.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbFeelYourselfRussian1.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbNevaEstuary.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbMegafon.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SpBFloatingRestaurant.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbFeelYourselfRussian2.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbStPeterPaulusFortress.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbSirIsaacCathedral.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbStarClipper.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbPetersPaulCathedralPeterTomb.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SpbPeterTheFirstStatue.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbPetersPaulCathedral.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbPeterPaulCathedralCeiling.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbOrnamentalLantern.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbStPeterPaulusFortressGateEntrance.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbWinterPalaceHermitage.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbTug.jpg~original)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/GeoModder/Baltic%20Cruise%202012/SPbTsarNicolaas.jpg~original)
These are the bunch I uploaded a few years ago for show on Eventis (I think).
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One hour writing and the review of my 2 days in Moscow are not even finished...Will be tomorrow.
But to make you wait, here's one that'll make your day:
Vishniac meets Peter the Great in front of the Hermitage! 8)
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Why is Peter dressed so plainly?
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I think I saw this actor at the gate of the Peter Paulus fortress. :D
Why is Peter dressed so plainly?
Try living of a Russian retirement allowance for a while, and you'll be living plainly as well, BUncle. ;)
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Try living of a Russian retirement allowance for a while, and you'll be living plainly as well, BUncle. ;)
That is sadly not a joke either...
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I AM living plainly.
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First part: Moscow
It is probably the most hostile place in the world I have ever visited. :o
The flight went smoothly, not many people on board.
We landed in Domodedovo Airport. Holy Mother of God, there was nothing else than gray in this airport: just gray corridors, beton and steel and dirty windows. No "Welcome in Russia" poster like in every other country, no advertisement, no duty free shops, no ordinary shop, no bar, nothing!
We were advised not to use taxis but there seemed to be no alternative for a non-Russian speaker so we took the most official one possible and undoubtedly paid an exagerated sum but we just wanted to reach our hotel the fastest way possible. After all, there are little problems that can't be solved by money and it didn't make a dent in my budget; the only thing these krooks damage is the reputation of their city and their country. Good for them! ::)
Having served in Sarajevo and having been a long time in a little Czech town in the 90's, the suburban quarters of Moscow that we went through didn't surprise me: stalinist habitation blocks as far as the eye can see. For my friend, it was a new experience: poor guy is accustomed to go backpacking in Scandinavia, Holland or New Zealand! :D
Hotel reached around 6PM, time to try Russian beer, food and the first vodka and we decided to take a fast stroll to the Kremlin. It was 10PM and we were just 10min away. The city is incredibly spartiate but the bridges were lighted with lots of lights on Russian flag colors, which ravished us. Then we were on Red Square and took a few pictures of the Cathedral, the Kremlin and the Lenin tomb. Even at night there were tourists and most of them Russians.
The day after, we got back to Red Square to take pictures by day. After lunch (beef Stroganoff) and the proverbial vodka (what the Hell, Man!! A bloody restaurant on Red Square can’t even have Russian vodka: they only propose Grey Goose, which I knew to be French), we went to visit the Kremlin.
First, outside, there are the monuments to the fallen of WWII: the eternal flame burns and is guarded by 2 soldiers. I was very impressed to see a third one opening the chain so a 5-year boy could go and lay a red flower before the flame. A place of utmost dignity.
Then we went to buy tickets for the Kremlin museums and something struck us: unlike any other city, there was no souvenir shop (well, just a little official one by the ticket-seller), no people selling objects nor postcards… Nothing!
Inside we visited an old church and the Armoury: a lot of silvery, orfevry, dresses of Catherine II, signs of Russian power and objects of the Orthodox Church (icons, chalices). Beautiful.
The evening we had the main objective of our travel to Moscow: the concert of Manowar!
Nothing to say about the band (except Awesome! of course) but the ambiance was…just like the city… We arrived by metro and had to pass a barrier with doors guarded by…Omons. Wow, but we thought that perhaps Russian metal fans were somehow more hooliganish than western ones. Without worrying much, I wanted to eat and drink (metal = sausage and beer usually). BLAH, only one seller of burgers and hot-dogs and no beer. Whatever we took a hot-dog. Then the queue arrived at the entry of the theatre: magnetic controls and CONTROL OF PASSPORTS to verify the name on the tickets! Then I couldn’t find any beer inside alas, so my friend bought a bottle of water…that he couldn’t bring into the concert room (security forbiddings). No wonder the ambiance was not so enthusiastic: they were all sober!!!
After testing a karaoke later, the last day was the worst.
We had to take the Sapsan fast train to St-Petersburg. Showing the tickets at our hotel, they indicated us the metro station. Good! There we go, we find the train station but no St-Petersburg on panels. After turning around, asking at at least 3 different ticket offices, we finally missed the train since the time passed. There was nobody able to speak English, nobody even willing to help or just able to read our tickets. And I speak 4 languages… :mad:
Eventually my friend looked on the internet, we took the metro back from where we came from, took a taxi which seemed to take us back to the same area again but asked his partners on the phone. The guy was the only smart enough: he put us right in front of the good station and the panels indicating St-Petersburg. The time to buy new tickets (it took easily an hour… People were telling their lives or what?) and we were in the train. :danc:
By bye Moscow!
The poster child of a sovietized police state with its policemen at every crossroads and the X-ray machines for your bags at every train station. At one entry of the station, there were 15 cameras one way AND 15 looking the other way!
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Moscow used to be much more lively mind- but due to the 1990's crime hike the gov't put way more security into Moscow... its why I never visit the capitol much anymore.
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Don't tell me you missed souvenir shopping! ???
Barriers guarded by... Omons? What are Omons?
The Sapsan train... So, is this (http://www.russiantrains.com/en/page/sapsan-train) page reliable in its information?
On security, I had the same in Vyborg and Leningrad. Everytime going on or off the boat we had to pass by passport control and metal detectors. And it never was a cursory glance either.
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Which four languages?
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Which four languages?
French, Swiss German, Italian, an English? ;cute
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[shrugs] Save Italian, all gimmes...
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Don't tell me you missed souvenir shopping! ???
Well, if you visit a new city, a historical capitol with a rich past, you expect at least to find:
- postcards to send to your family, friends, colleagues
- some, yes, souvenirs. Be there artisanal works or clothes (russian hats for winter)
- other kinds of things by artists.
Fortunately, St-Petersburg had more than enough of these and very different ones.
Barriers guarded by... Omons? What are Omons?
If you're not a military buff, it probably doesn't tell you much indeed.
Omon. It's the new(?) name of what were formerly called "Spetsnaz-MVD" (JarlWolf will correct any error).
It's still cryptic so I'll say they are just the "Special Forces of the Ministry of Interior".
The toughest baddest guys not to mess with! :D
They are always in blue-camo combat uniform. We finally took a picture from a distance in St-P
The Sapsan train... So, is this (http://www.russiantrains.com/en/page/sapsan-train) page reliable in its information?
It is perfectly exact. Perfect!
Because of the barrier language, we probably booked premium-class in the train since we had magazines and hot meals and everything. Mind you, it was a relief after such a bad day in Moscow.
There was more service in this train than in Economy Class in the plane from Geneva (3h30 of flight). But Swiss is now only a shell of its former Swissair-era glory when it was one of the best airlines in the world.
Which four languages?
French / English / German / some Czech
My friend speaks Italian.
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For a possible meet&great, I only see a small window the 9th (a Friday) where I could go to Bienne either as a stop on my way back to Basel, or drop of luggage and companion in Basel before noon and go south again on my own (the latter is most likely, she's a retired person).
Man, I almost forgot this.
Much work and activities theses days.
I am afraid I can't really help you on your travel since you're visiting the half I don't know.
However, it is my duty to present you, not Bienne which has nothing particular, but Bern, a very fine city.
It depends about how it goes at work but either I can take a few hours free and find you in Bern around 3:PM or I can join you there at 5:PM. You'll taste the best beer made in Switzerland, fine food, fine little alcohol if you're into it and visit a UNESCO-classified old town.
If you're young enough (I'm in my 40s), not so tired and like-minded, I'll take you to a new-wave party in Aarau at night too! :danc:
Of course I'll drive you back to your hotel anyway.
Can't let a fellow SMACer pass by without...(http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/beer/smileys-beer-854306.gif)
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A question to JarlWolf: in St-Petersburg, we had a plate of different smoked fishes.
There were herrings of course, but also Whitefish, Omul and Strelet (if I remember correctly).
Could you tell me what is the Strelet in English? That was the most delicious thing I have tasted for a long time. And is it exported?
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Sterlet you mean?
It is a type of Sturgeon for the most part, and at this day and age they mostly come from fish farms. You used to be able to find lots of them naturally throughout the Black Sea and interior rivers of my country, and in lakes connecting to larger river systems- but they've been relatively overfished so the ones you had were probably fish farmed.
You could probably get it, though it might be a bit expensive. Lots of caviar and other products are made from this too.
Edit: Of course, best place to eat Sterlet is in Russia, as you know its fresh. It's also typically less expensive.
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Sturgeon then? Thanks, I'll look for it. ;)
It was smoked so some is probably exported. I'll search the fish and caviar shops.
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@Vishniac:
I hope you read my latest PM?
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Don't try to punch him, Geo. He's a Death Machine.
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Punching is rarely necessary.
A tackle will do just fine. :D
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There's a few people gonna get a savage beating if I ever see them in analog...
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Usually, those physically capable of dealing out savage beatings are similarly slow and lumbering. :P
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I'm told I run surprisingly fast for someone my size. I'm crap for stamina, but I can sprint. You've seen pictures of my legs.
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Guess its time to practice... :bike:
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You should indeed plan a visit to the states. I know a place you can stay in western NC...
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You should indeed plan a visit to the states. I know a place you can stay in western NC...
Camp Lejeune?
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The Marines wouldn't let me punch 'im. No.
-Also, all the military stuff is out east - nothing worth seeing over there. I could see world-famous Table Rock, featured as a supervillain's base in Jules Verne's Master of the World, from my house if not for the (beautiful) trees in the way. Brown Mountain of the Brown Mountain lights, also a famous (mystery) phenomenon, is also in my county.
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Brown Mountain of the Brown Mountain lights, also a famous (mystery) phenomenon, is also in my county.
UFO related?
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I doubt it. Something like swamp gas or something, maybe. It looks like car headlights on the mountain, I'm told, but isn't. Members of my family have seen it, though I haven't, but you can google the "Brown Mountain Lights" - and I bet Uno has heard of it. I'd bet real money.
There's a folktale about John Brown being so mean he was kicked out of Hell, and his spirit still wanders the mountain with a kettle of coals looking for a place to establish his own hell, thus the lights.
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