I just hired a cab driver for an hour – 300 ruble, or nine dollars – and went on a sight seeing tour in Magnitogorsk.
I can’t say that I saw everything – I don’t even know what “everything” would be here – but I did cross the border to Asia, said hi to Lenin (a statue), admired the statue of the Soviet Worker handing the sword that he has forged to the Soviet Soldier, and found out that there’s no McDonald’s in Magnitogorsk, for reasons that I still don’t quite understand.
Something to do with territorial rights, and McDonald’s getting Russia only west of the river Volga.
And somebody else getting the rest. Who? No idea. Tomorrow.
There is something so frightening about enormous statues. Remember in the 80’s film Never Ending Story? The huge statues that killed you through their eyes if you hesitated while walking past them?
I think about that whenever I see large statues.
Damn, you tell a great story. I was on the edge of my seat! To sell that to Hollywood, though, you need a few more elements. E-mail to me and I can put you in touch with a good script doctor.
In North Korea, Jessica, the minders (and every tourist is accompanied by them always) don’t let you take photos of only a portion of the truly giant Kim Il-sung statue. You have to take the entire thing. Gotta show some respec’.
Welcome to Russia, Roberto!
wow, in moscow you would pay 300 rubles just to take a seat in a taxi :)