Dear Travelers,

Being with out automated transportation (I have been riding my bike everywhere for now) ( a long story in it’s on right…) gives me

ample time to think, staring down over the handlebars at the asphalt, gravel and at times…the dirt.

During one of these “thinking times” I decided to jump in on an opportunity to join some cyclists in Moscow Russia, on a tour of the Golden Ring. Uh, yeah… with an angel in my heart, the devil was  in my head.

What’s Russia, the Golden Ring and why on a bike????

Who knows…., except that as I pedal the miles to work, and think about it the questions began to arise and the thrill of the adventure, was just too much to deny. Those things to be sure, and as Berlin, so does the country that is Russia reach for my heart. It is the mystery tour of my dreams. How deeply can I sink my little American self into the most remote and politically charged country’s of the world???

So with that here goes….something, I think.

Russia as I recall from American elementary education suggested that it is cold, big and scary. Powerful space missions, good vodka, beautiful women, oil, castles , white horses, fur hats, Boreal forest, spies and mafia….yeah!! They have Moscow and St. Petersburg and p0ints beyond to the east, good stuff. But to be sure, scary…our countries at one time pointed nuclear missiles in each others “general direction”……really???

My mom used to threaten to exile me to Siberia if I did not behave…somewhere , cold , near Russia…..

Somebody left the gate open, and I am heading out there!!

BIKING for a better brain, suggests my research : http://www.ecf.com/news/cyclists-are-smarter-exercise-and brain-activity/ and I am counting on the fact that a better brain , is going to give me a better mind, by that I mean more open…minded.

But, I go in fear too. I like to think of myself here in my country, as invincible, independent, strong and able to solve many problems like  Wonder Woman, remember her? She was cool , and good looking. But that is not in the greater eyes of the world,( the Great Big World) out there that, holds the International Cultural and Political sense of reality. I am an American and according to  young Russians, Dudly J “Americans are fat, ugly, bald and stupid. Also they can’t cook.” and from Nellie “ after reading a couple of ridiculous questions about ‘poverty’, ‘constant fear’ and ‘starving’ , i have to say that some Americans are very ignorant about the real situation in Russia” finally, from Nataxa “It really depends on people. Some love Americans some don’t. However, people like to stereotype and many Russians who have never been in the U.S. view America as a country of kind people, who like to eat junk food, like to smile without a purpose and tell silly jokes. ”

Most of all, this little quote, is the one I am most excited about : “Do not hesitate to open your soul to Russians. You will be considered a real friend. “Olga   Zatsapena

I hope that politics put aside that the East and the West remain as the direction in which to look to see the sunrise and the sunset….

In it’s essence this tour is a BIKE RIDE. To see the country, meet the people, be with friends, sleep in tents ,in homes, eat ice cream, test vodka, see the white horses, the castles and the forest . To swim in the river. To laugh , and to allow my American Wonder Woman— to be instead…DEPENDENT, VULNERABLE, TRUSTING, HOPEFUL, HELPFUL and to MARVEL….Onion domes! Cathedrals, churches, Russia Orthodox Church History and Kremlins….oh and rivers ye…

To TRANSITION….

So ,think on these things for me? …a nice comfy bike seat, not too many midges, some nice vodka and starlight nights, and if it is really true…can someone just turn off the missiles for just  a minute????

Let me know if you want to wear my Wonder Woman suit while I am gone :)

And the NEXT TIME you come with me :)

Peace

Tracy