07.08.2019: Drushba in Yekaterinburg

Continued to the Ural Mountains (about 350 km). Originally, we imagined the Ural Mountains to be more mountainous, but our route was mostly hilly at best. Yekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia with a population of 1.3 million. The initial impression is more towards socialist charm, but we have seen too little to judge. We will be surprised tomorrow.

The landscape we passed through was not particularly exciting, mostly fields. However, it has become Siberian cold (15 degrees) - at least it feels that way. We have been spoiled with abnormally hot weather so far.

Today was the last day of the time expert accompanying us, a Russian (former) media professional with excellent knowledge of German. After he painted a rather bleak picture of Russia's future, we gave our all in the evening to portray a more positive image of his homeland at the local Irish pub. At least in the short term, we were successful. Drushba...

PS: We are staying here in the Radisson in the middle of the city.