It’s not for the faint of heart. At least, a 3-month trip spanning 5 countries and 2 continents is not. But just a few things I’ve learned:
- Round trip does not have to start or end in the same place to be roundtrip. Saved $700.
- Promptly spent $700 on a 1-way that might not be worth it, much like the US Gov did with that surprise money from TARP.
- Trips originating in developing countries are cheaper.
- Round trips are cheaper. Sometimes by half.
- Russia makes it obnoxiously hard to get a visa. I have to provide invitation letter, tourist voucher, application, and a lot of money.
- Rumor has it the visa office is only open for an hour in UB.
- Thank God I already have my Indian visa and don’t have to worry about getting it.
- I might have to get an exit visa for Mongolia.
- Soviet bureaucracy is time-consuming.
- It’s still snowing in April in Siberia.
Tomorrow I go to verify that I can get my Russian visa before I leave UB, or else I’m not taking the train. Once that is verified, I will gather paperwork, and then proceed back over there to drop off my passport and hope for the best, while shelling out a LOT of money for this adventure.