Cheap Moscow Russia Ticket Travel

From Young Rooms: Dark Hair/Long Sleeves

I’m writing a letter. The gel ink rolls and seeps through the thin pages and bleeds but doesn’t change the word. It doesn’t slant it thickens. I like that. John Berryman’s in my bag on top of a row of bigger books, a paperback with a Pulitzer Prize, the books stacked big to small, the poems pressing up against the back of the smaller compartments from inside. It took me awhile to learn to do that in school. The row would be all out of size like broken piano keys and I just lived with the awkward pressure on my back. Popping along to my mother’s car in car line, a growth extending into my spine, a teachers assistant’s bony hand on my shoulder like grace. For the classes that upset me I carry their texts as rarely as possible.

I’m a slow learner when it comes to physicality, I don’t like shapes (I nearly failed geometry at every stage, the chapter would open and I’d groan). Conceptual spaces seem like broad maps. Like they’re connected by lots of lines labeled by metaphorical letters. I can’t think of the whole city at once when I’m just in my house, or worse, when I’m in public and alone. I just like being inside things.

My ephemeral desk, the chair attached, scouting the lawn. People playing instruments and running thumbs through boyfriends’ hair. Afternoon practice. The person I’m writing to. I don’t ask for help, someone has to come, full of exasperation, on their last straw diving into my canal to scare me. I carried my books this way till high school when it finally seemed to be a translation of something larger and Mom got all pissed: “Your books should go like this, Michael.” And I’ve been careful and flawless about it ever since. The physical state is a cry for help to vigilant people. Look at how fucked up my books are.

I get about half my thoughts down and scold myself when I can’t, wanting the letter to be a journal. Anxiety about spilled water or lunch makes no sense because there’s nothing in the backpack pouches but a dozen ink-dry pens, a basin of quarters and gum wrappers. My dirty Jansport bag, collegiate luggage. I think the statue in front of the music school looks like a penis and I tell that to the page. “It looks like a penis, or a shovel, or a spoon.” The coils of my notebook like big grated wire. My hand glides over the arched metallic rings when I take a break and my wrist goes stiff. My hand goes to the back of my neck to rest. Professors walking up, briefcase, smoking obscure cigarettes thick-smelling like wool. They nod. Pretentious but smarter than you, the agony. Students flying off bikes, throwing the leg over, cradling cell phones with their jaw bones, Yeah Mom I gotta go to class, I’ll call you tomorrow, Okay love you bye. Yoga pants and tank tops, sports bras peeking through beneath armpits.

Moscow For Budget Travelers | Portland travel

The cheapest and fastest transport in Moscow is the metro. One ride costs about 80 cents. If you stay in Moscow several days you can get a card for 10, 20 or 60 trips: each ride will be cheaper the more trips you get on the card. Moscow metro has no zones so you pay the same price no matter where you go. The airports are connected to the city by railroad. The air express train costs about 5-10 USD depending on the airport. (This is much cheaper than a taxi which will be 70-100 USD). If you need a taxi it's best to arrange it in advance (through your hotel or a restaurant). You should always negotiate the price before you get in (even if a taxi has a meter - it might be a scam). Locals often use 'unofficial taxis" - it can practically be any private car. All you have to do is to stand on the street and stick your arm out. Usually there's nothing dangerous about it as people with cars do it to earn some extra money. An important rule is not to get into a car that already has a passenger. There're lots of picturesque old towns around Moscow. Sergiev Posad, Vladimir, Suzdal are among the most popular destinations. You can get their not only by car but also by local trains and buses. Sometimes a local train can be even faster then a car. A suburban train is called "electrichka" in Russian. 1 trip costs 1-4 USD and you don't need to book tickets in advance. There're plenty of local trains going outside of Moscow and it's better to study the timetable in advance. A faster option is an express train. It goes without stops or does only 1-2 stops on the way. This is a good option for cities like Vladimir, Kaluga, Tula, Sergiev Posad, Yaroslavl (about 100-200 km outside of Moscow). There're not many express trains during the day and it's safer to get a ticket in advance. A cheap way to get to St. Petersburg is by train. Overnight sleeper train is the best option for budget travelers (you don't pay for the hotel and you sleep on the way). 2nd class is quite reasonable (it can cost from 80 USD) and comfortable - 4 people in 1 cabin. Even cheaper is a 3d class, it's called "platskart" in Russian. It's also a sleeper carriage but there're no doors in cabins. A ticket in the 3d class will cost you about 25 USD. This category is very popular among the locals as it's convenient and very cheap. Most of the tourist-oriented restaurants are very expensive. Ask the locals for smaller eateries where you can try traditional food and save your budget.

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