1st stop - St. Petersburg

My first stop was supposed to be St. Petersburg. Initially planned only as a stopover on the way to Beijing, it just so happened that I could also catch the Confederations-Cup final 2017, Chile vs. Germany on the way. And when you have the opportunity to celebrate the next German title live in the stadium, you do it :)

Now that I have arrived in Moscow, it has been confirmed what I already thought on site, the city didn't really blow me away. Everything seems a bit dull and grey, no 'special' hospitality due to the upcoming World Cup and the dress rehearsal of the Confederations Cup, could be observed.

My first days of life in a €3 hostel were, let's say, a bit unusual. Musty smell, not recognizable as a hostel from the outside, unfriendly 'staff',... .

In Russia, especially in the big cities, it seems to be usual for locals to completely move into hostels and live there 365 days a year. As far as I can see, even with (for our standards) very cheap cost of living (bus/train rides 50 cents, 15GB data volume €3, ...), the rental costs are not in proportion to that.

My conclusion about St. Petersburg: Seen it, checked it off, not a 'place-to-come-back'!