Life on the road

Hitchhiking is not about a big risk in Russia, especcialy, when you move in a pair. It is more about picturesque crazy views of the fields & forests in their true festival spring. Adventures in the rain and in the sun. Then it is a lot about totally different drivers: intelligent, smart and cute or sheely dull and a bit rude, but funny anyway. Sure, hitchhiking is a lot about exhausting movement along the highways or staying at some doubtful position with your thumb, when nobody wants to stop and lift you. And you begin to lose your patience, self-confidence, and belief in this world. But it's like a small model of the life. Wait longer, or go ahead on the road, or do anything else to change situation, try another way and other position, and smile more - then you will definitely catch your luck again. This week I went to a forest & lake.Beautiful relaxing nature is the best prize for a tired megapolis mouse :) So, it was about 300 km East from Moscow + 40 km South from the main highway. We didn't know much about this lake. Just went at random. And it seems great.

May days - to take a deep breath & travel

On the threashold of May all Russian people are looking forward to their legal additional days off. This is a present from our Past and it seems will never change in the Future. Everybody likes this May weekends.
It's an interesting mix of relaxing practices and visiting some serious ceremonial events dedicated to the Second World War End.
Normally we have 3 days off at the very beginning of May (can vary 30th of April - 2nd of May, or 1st-3rd of May). These are the holidays of our Soviet and Socialistic past, when the working class gathered for festival marches and parades to show their class strength, unity and solidarity. The USSR had fallen into oblivion more than 20 years ago, but nation still enjoys festival atmosphere during these days and like previous generations of working class people, they don´t like to work on these days, too. That´s why nobody replaced, removed or canceled these holidays. And we still have them.
Another 3 days off come to 7-9 or 8-10th of  May. This is our Heroic age holidays. Second World War and millions of our ancestors - grandmoms and grandfathers died during this cruel struggle with nazi. We will never forget (at least try) their feats of arms and all those scary stories left from that terrific war. So, these days are still considered the main holidays in Russia, may be - the main sacred holidays. Their honor and popularity is obvious.
Sometimes when we have a late Easter - all three parts of  these spring holidays that go one after another coincide together - into a big  sparkling and tempting bulk of holidays. For doing nothing - or, for doing everything. That's a real luck. An anormous space for travellings and weekend creativity  - for everyone, especially for those who are tired to sit in the grey office.

This May Day weekend, I made a small holiday trip on the car with my friend and visited just a nice place. We've been there only for a sunset time. But it was really nice and full of deep breath of spring nature. The High bank of river Klyazma, around 200 km East from Moscow.