Tiresome Travelling

I'm almost done here. It's the last day and raining on the verge of snowing. I'm looking forward to going home. Today the mission of the day is to get souvenirs. I don't know how I'll get them home though.

I don't have much time, but I was going to mention what you have to go through to travel in Russia. First, ALWAYS have your passport. You need it to get into the country, but every night, whereever you are staying you have to be registered with the police, so we you check into your hotel, they need you passport. You also need your passport to fly anywhere or take the train. When you come in through customs you fill out a customs declaration. There are two parts, one they take when you come in and another you keep with you to show to police (if stopped) and the hotels need it to register you. You absolutely need this to get out of the country. You cannot lose this piece of paper. When you check out of the hotel they give you a registration paper that you need to fly out of that city. You also need it in case the police stop you.

All in all, the general rule of thumb is, that if someone out here gives you a piece of paper, keep it. Don't throw anything away or you may not leave the country, or have to pay off a police officer to stay out of jail.

Fun eh!