Transportation

We thought you might like to see our modes of transportation, now we are living in the city of Yekaterinburg. When we go to our English Club, the Russian adults are very interested in American cars and what is popular there. You might be interested to know that if they could choose, they would like to have SUVs. Gas prices here are about what they are in Colorado, maybe that is one reason there are not may large cars, although they can be found. The roads are lousy. The winters are rough on them, so there are many huge potholes. Speed limits do exist, but are not enforced. Policemen stand by the side of the road and signal anyone driving by to pull over









In the morning and evening rush hour streets are filled to capacity -- drivers drive three abreast where there is only room for two. Some even drive on the sidewalks. The streets are filled with buses, Tram Vi (runs on a track), Marshutes, Tram Autobus, cars, and trucks. It's a mess! and it moves at a snails pace during the rush hour. If you think your traffic at home is something -- you should be here!










I hope you can see how congested traffic is in the City of Yekaterinburg. In the picture is a Tram Autobus -- it runs on electricity, but doesn't have tracks.
Parking an issue? Not really -- you can park anywhere -- no rules where it comes to parking. Park on the sidewalk, in the trees, on the street, in traffic -- almost anything goes. It is truly amazing!

Marshutes - are yellow vans that have a seating capacity of about 12 people. The cost more and are quicker than the buses and trams so that might be an advantage. We don't ride them much because Ron is so tall that his knees take up two spaces and the poor person sitting across from him can't find a place to put their knees. We took the back seats in one of these once and we had a hect of a time trying to get out.

On the other side of the 'city center plaza' is a large body of water, where the river backs up. You may rent canoes or this larger craft to paddle across the water -- it is really quite beautiful.

A small craft takes people on an outing --

the Cathedral On The Blood can be seen

in the background.

The Metro stop is close by our apartment and we have had the opportunity to take the 'subway' a few times. It is a quick way to get to areas outside of town.

One day, while we were waiting for the train, two little boys, about 10-12 years old, came up to us and started talking. Elder Nuzman told them he did not understand and I told them in Parooski that we were from Denver Colorado. Boy, did they get excited over that! When the train came they motioned for us to follow them and they wanted to stand next to us -- the one little boy whipped out his cell phone and I couldn't understand anything in his excited speech except "Denverah Colorado!" We were celebrities. It's a long way down and the escalator moves rapidly -- quite an exciting ride -- I was quite scared the first time we jumped on and down, down, down we went into the abiss.

It's dark and chilly so far underground. When the train arrives a swish of cold wind comes from the tunnel.

I hope you can see how steep the climb is -

not as scarey going up as coming down.

A few people ride bicycles -- they can be tricky when encountering all the city

traffic. Ron was hit by one a girl was riding one day -- he as not a happy camper!

We have seen only a couple of Harleys -- but there is a Yamaha store not far from us. They do have small motorcycles, and motorbikes. We understand that snow removal on the streets is minimal in the wintertime, so maybe that's why they are not popular.

Skating, rollerblading and skateboarding are all favorite pastimes for the young -- Ron and I do not claim them as our favored mode of travel.

I finally figured out where all those 'road apples' we had been dodging in the middle of the sidewalks had been coming from when we encountered horses on the plaza one evening. I had my camera handy so I asked if I could take pictures, the girl said if I wanted to pay -- at least that's what I think she said. Ron and climbed the hill and sat on the stone wall where I snapped all the free pictures I wanted. The girls charge money for people who want to ride the horses -- we didn't ask how many Rublee it would cost.

A few weeks ago we traveled by train across Siberia -a story I will share in another blog -- quite an experience!

When all is said and done, this is how we get around most of the time.

Besides you have a greater opportunity to see sights you have never seen before.