Smolensk, My Brief Visit
Unknown to me and undeterred by any authority or part of the system, I decided to travel from Minsk, Belarus to Smolensk, Russia and I just followed protocol; went to the railway station and purchased my train ticket. I used my passport and have a visa for both countries, paid using my platinum card, and the ticket was assigned to me.
Came back in the evening and boarded my train to Smolensk. The train attendant check my passport and visa, took my ticket and showed me my compartment and bed.
We departed.
Early morning, approaching Smolensk I was awaken by the attendant giving me back my ticket and telling me we’re approaching. Police came into my compartment to check my documents and gave them my passport. They swiped it on their laptop but something appeared to be wrong. They handed me my passport and left without stamping it. I asked them to stamp it but they dismissed me and left.
I arrived to the city and walked all over and took some photos. I check into my hotel, Hotel Smolensk and left for another walk. Had a coffee and a beer and went back to my hotel.
Advised by my lovely wife knowing I may get in trouble for the lack of a stamp on my passport, went to the hotel’s front desk and asked about getting a “registration card” but they would not give me one.
Went to take a nap before going out again and set my alarm at 17:00 hrs.
Was awaken by loud knocking on my door. I open and there’s a plain clothes agent and three uniformed police men at my door!
I was interrogated and accused of “crossing the border of Russia illegally” and placed under arrest. They took me to the police station where I was jailed for more than 30 hours in a stinky jail cell, and the next day went in front of a judge. Was fined 2000 Rubles and deported back to Belarus the next evening.
Was rough but one thing I have to say; the police officers were nice to me, one even bought me a souvenir from Smolensk.
Basically; no one except citizens of Russia and Belorussia can cross their common border by land, or in some flights too. The problem is that nobody knows and nobody will stop you from doing it!
My Train Trip With Destiny; Minsk To Smolensk
Unknown to me and undeterred by any authority or part of the system, I decided to travel from Minsk, Belarus to Smolensk, Russia and I just followed protocol; went to the railway station and purchased my train ticket. I used my passport and have a visa for both countries, paid using my platinum card, and the ticket was assigned to me.
Came back in the evening and boarded my train to Smolensk. The train attendant check my passport and visa, took my ticket and showed me my compartment and bed.
We departed.
Early morning, approaching Smolensk I was awaken by the attendant giving me back my ticket and telling me we’re approaching. Police came into my compartment to check my documents and gave them my passport. They swiped it on their laptop but something appeared to be wrong. They handed me my passport and left without stamping it. I asked them to stamp it but they dismissed me and left.
I arrived to the city and walked all over and took some photos. I check into my hotel, Hotel Smolensk and left for another walk. Had a coffee and a beer and went back to my hotel.
Advised by my lovely wife knowing I may get in trouble for the lack of a stamp on my passport, went to the hotel’s front desk and asked about getting a “registration card” but they would not give me one.
Went to take a nap before going out again and set my alarm at 17:00 hrs.
Was awaken by loud knocking on my door. I open and there’s a plain clothes agent and three uniformed police men at my door!
I was interrogated and accused of “crossing the border of Russia illegally” and placed under arrest. They took me to the police station where I was jailed for more than 30 hours in a stinky jail cell, and the next day went in front of a judge. Was fined 2000 Rubles and deported back to Belarus the next evening.
Was rough but one thing I have to say; the police officers were nice to me, one even bought me a souvenir from Smolensk.
Smolensk to Brest Railway 1880's
Московско-Брестская ж.д.
От Смоленска до Бреста в цвете.
80-е годы XIX века.
Moscow-Brest Railway 1880's
Here I present a colour photographic album from the 1880's
From Smolensk to Brest in colour. Part of the Moscow to Brest
(Brest-Litovsk) album.
I have travelled on this line recently - a great adventure as the journey now encompasses a border crossing between Belarus & Russia.
038b IFJU FARKAS / Smolensk - H
On a freezing winter day in February 2002, picking me up at Sheremetievo Airport Yura had plans to visit his family in Smolensk. They had a family reunion. As we drove from Moscow to Yuri's hometown he told me the family was unaware that we would join them.
There were heartfelt moments when we entered the circle of family members at Tamara's flat in Smolensk..
Somehow I only get these touching moments in Russia. I ask myself : Do they have different hearts or is it the vodka?
Maybe it is the vastness of space of this enormous landmass that does this to the human soul.
- I call Russia an Ocean, it is not a country to me.
As we sat down at the table, I felt somebody was missing,
I asked Yurika. Yes he said, his parents had divorced long time ago. Yevgenyi, his father would not show up anymore. Nothing and nobody could make him move to come by.
I listened. then I said: Let's call him!
In the living room I had found some old photos in a cardboard box under the shelf. As it turned out his, father was a photographer at a Smolensk Newspaper for 30 years.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union he was retired. He lived of his pension of 30 Dollars, a recluse life, fishing to make ends meet and to pass his time. He had given up Photography.
They told me he wouldn't come but when grandmother had left he showed up.
I kept my camera rolling. To my big surprise Yevgenyi started to speak german!
I was unprepared.
But somehow I had been waiting for him not knowing why.
Dedicated to greatgrandfather Yevgeni Burak, station manager of USSR-Rail in Minsk.
He had 8 children. He was arrested and sent to the Archipel Gulag where he died 1932.
Yevgeni Burak was rehabilitated when Chrutschow came to power 1956.
camera 1: Jürg Da Vaz
camera 2: Yuri Burak
camera3: Dimitriy Zhiljanin
logistics: Burak Pictures
driver: Dimitriy Zhiljanin
edited by Vladimir Tyutikov
directed by Jürg Da Vaz
filmed on site in Moscow and Smolensk, February 2002
eyesharpener©
a handmade Da Vaz production 2002
Part 2. Moscow-Vyazma-Smolensk-Orsha-Borisov from the train window. Smolensk-Orsha-Borisov.
Часть 2. Смоленск-Орша-Борисов. Из окна поезда 009 Москва-Варшава с оригинальным звуком железной дороги. Специально для
SMOLENSK,V.1: WALL, WHITE WALKERS & GoT (Travelling around Russia,p.2)
A new video and a new city to explore!
Smolensk is a definite go-to if you like hills, big spaces, war stories and the walls. Especially walls - I so love climbing them and exploring the ruins, and what about you?
Hope you enjoy watching and thank you all, guys, for your support, I really appreciate it
More traipsing across the country, around the world, as well as some (un)helpful tips here:
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Train ride. Kursk - Smolensk 1/2
Видео с пассажирского окна. Курск - Брянск Орловский - Смоленск 1/2
Курск - Брянск Орловский
evening walk . Smolensk
Music - soundcloud.com/jamesonnathanjones/evolutions-ii
Jameson Nathan Jones–Evolutions II
Train ride. Kursk - Smolensk 2/2
Видео с пассажирского окна. Курск - Брянск Орловский - Смоленск 2/2
Брянск Орловский - Смоленск
Sem Sorok Hotel - Smolensk - Russian Federation
Sem Sorok Hotel hotel city: Smolensk - Country: Russian Federation
Address: Krasninskoye Shosse 35; zip code: 214030
Located a 10-minute drive from Smolensk city centre, Sem Sorok Hotel features a garden, free WiFi and free parking. The rooms offer a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
-- El Sem Sorok Hotel está situado a 10 minutos en coche del centro de la ciudad de Smolensk, y dispone de jardín, conexión WiFi gratuita y aparcamiento gratuito. Las habitaciones cuentan con TV de pantalla plana y baño privado.
-- Sem Sorok Hotel酒店距离斯摩棱斯克（Smolensk）市中心有10分钟车程，设有花园、免费WiFi和免费停车场。 客房提供平板电视和私人浴室。 酒店餐厅提供早餐，供应欧洲和高加索美食。酒店距离各种咖啡馆均有不到5分钟的步行路程。客房服务可应要求提供。 Sem Sorok Hotel酒店距离Ploton巴士站有1分钟步行路程，距离斯摩棱斯克火车站（Smolensk Train Station）8.7公里。
-- Отель «Семь Сорок» находится в 10 минутах езды от центра города Смоленска. К вашим услугам сад, бесплатный WiFi и бесплатная парковка. Номера располагают телевизором с плоским экраном и собственной ванной комнатой.
--
Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15B - Smolensk - Russian Federation
Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15B hotel city: Smolensk - Country: Russian Federation
Address: Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya street 15B; zip code: 214015
Located in Smolensk, Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15 features a sauna and a terrace. Free WiFi and free parking are provided on site. The rooms feature a DVD player and flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
-- El Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15 se encuentra en Smolensk y cuenta con una sauna y una terraza. Ofrece conexión WiFi gratuita y aparcamiento gratuito.
-- Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15旅馆位于斯摩棱斯克（Smolensk），提供1间桑拿浴室、1个露台、免费WiFi以及免费内部停车场。 客房配有DVD播放机和带卫星频道的平面电视。 客人可以在旅馆内的餐厅用餐。旅馆还设有1间酒吧。 Mini Hotel on Bolshaya Krasnoflotskaya 15旅馆距离斯摩棱斯克火车站（Smolensk Train Station）2.2公里。
-- Гостиница «На Большой Краснофлотской 15» расположена в Смоленске. К услугам гостей сауна, терраса и бесплатная парковка на территории гостиницы. Предоставляется бесплатный WiFi.
--
MP ZDS train №4 Orsha - Smolensk
MP ZDS train №4 Orsha - Smolensk
Zebra - Smolensk - Russian Federation
Zebra hotel city: Smolensk - Country: Russian Federation
Address: Roslavlskoe shosse 5 km; zip code: 214009
Offering a restaurant, Zebra is located in Smolensk, 2 km from Smolensk Airport. It offers free private parking. All rooms offer a flat-screen TV and a seating area.
-- Doté d'un restaurant, le Zebra est situé à Smolensk, à 2 km de l'aéroport de Smolensk. Il propose un parking privé gratuit. Les chambres sont pourvues d'une télévision à écran plat et d'un coin salon.
-- El Zebra alberga un restaurante y se encuentra en Smolensk, a 2 km del aeropuerto de Smolensk. Alberga aparcamiento privado gratuito. Las habitaciones incluyen TV de pantalla plana y zona de estar.
-- Das Zebra befindet sich in Smolensk, 2 km vom Flughafen Smolensk entfernt und verfügt über ein Restaurant. Es bietet Ihnen kostenfreie Privatparkplätze. Alle Zimmer sind mit einem Flachbild-TV und einer Sitzecke ausgestattet.
-- O Zebra alberga um restaurante e está localizado em Smolensk, a 2 km do Aeroporto de Smolensk. Oferece estacionamento privado gratuito. Todos os quartos dispõem de uma televisão de ecrã plano e de uma área de estar.
-- Zebra酒店位于斯摩棱斯克（Smolensk），距离斯摩棱斯克机场（Smolensk Airport）有2公里，设有一间餐厅以及免费私人停车场。 所有的客房均设有平板电视、休息区以及书桌。私人浴室配有淋浴、吹风机和免费洗浴用品。 酒店每天早晨供应免费早餐，欢迎客人光顾内部咖啡厅。客人还可以订购可以送至客房的水果、报纸和鲜花。 Zebra酒店距离斯摩棱斯克火车站（Smolensk Train Station）有7.3公里。
-- Obiekt Zebra położony jest w Smoleńsku, 2 km od lotniska Smoleńsk. Obiekt zapewnia restaurację i bezpłatny prywatny parking. Do dyspozycji Gości są pokoje z częścią wypoczynkową i telewizorem z płaskim ekranem.
-- Отель «Зебра» находится в Смоленске, в 2 км от аэропорта Смоленска. На территории обустроена бесплатная частная парковка. В стандартную планировку входит гостиная зона, где установлен телевизор с плоским экраном.
-- يقع Zebra في سمولينسك على بعد كيلومترين من مطار سمولينسك، ويضم مطعمًا. ويوفر مواقف مجانية خاصة للسيارات. تحتوي جميع الغرف على تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة وتضم منطقة جلوس. كما تشتمل الحمامات الخاصة على دش ومجفف شعر ولوازم استحمام مجانية.
--
Part 1. Moscow-Vyazma-Smolensk-Orsha-Borisov from the train window. Moscow-Vyazma.
Часть 1. Москва-Вязьма. Из окна поезда 009 Москва-Варшава с оригинальным звуком железной дороги. Специально для
[RZD] TEP70-0123, Rzhev-Baltiyskiy station
TEP70-0123 diesel locomotive with a train nr.88 Smolensk — Saint-Petersburg, Rzhev-Baltiyskiy station.
Time travel by train from Moscow station
It was once Russia's busiest transport terminal, and the country's gateway to the west. These days, though, Moscow's Riga railway station is much quieter, and has even reinvented itself by becoming home to a railway museum.
vl80t-2011 with freight consist on route Smolensk - Orsha
vl80t-2011 with freight consist on route Smolensk - Orsha
--
Germany to Kazakhstan by Rail - part 3: Minsk - Moscow on Premium Train № 002Б in First Class
Part Three of the Summer Railway Journey from Heilbronn to Almaty; travelling via Berlin, Warsaw, Minsk, Moscow, Volgograd, Atyrau, and Shymkent;
Premium Train: № 002Б Belarus
From: Minsk Pasažyrski, Belarus
To: Moscow Belorusskaya, Russia
Route via: Orsha, Osinovka, Smolensk, Vyazma (Moscow - Brest Railway)
Travel Class: Spalny Wagon (First Class sleeping compartment)
Car No: 02
Berth No: 8
Wagon Model: 61-779A
Manufacturer: Gomel Wagon Building Plant and Kryukov Railway Car Building Works, Ukraine
Price: RUB 11,550 (approx. EUR 154)
Scheduled travel time: 9 hours and 59 minutes
Departure: 22:08 Minsk Time
Arrival: 08:07 Moscow Time
Distance: approx. 750 km
Travel season: June 2019 during the Minsk European Games
Train operator: Belarusian Railway, Moscow Railway (RZD Russian Railway)
Locomotive Minsk - Vyazma: Skoda ЧС4Т-476 (Moscow Railway, Depot Vyazma, built in 1981)
Locomotive Vyazma - Moscow: Skoda ЧС7-027 (Moscow Railway, Depot Moscow Kurskaya, built in 1984)
Part 1 (EuroNight EN 453 Karlsruhe - Warsaw):
Part 2 (Premium Train № 024Й Warsaw - Minsk):
Часть третья Железнодорожного путешествия из Хайльбронна в Алматы; путешествия через Берлин, Варшаву, Минск, Москву, Волгоград, Атырау и Шымкент;
Фирменный Поезд: № 002Б Беларусь
Откуда: Минск Пасажирский, Беларусь
До: Москва Белорусская, Россия
Маршрут через: Орша, Осиновка, Смоленск, Вязьма (Москва - Брестская железная дорога)
Класс поездки: спальный вагон св (первый класс)
Номер вагон:: № 02
Место для сидения: 8 (нижний причал)
Модель вагона: 61-779A
Производитель: Крюковский вагоностроительный завод
Цена: 11,550 рублей (около 154 евро)
Время в пути: 9 часов и 59 минуты
Отправление: 22:08 по минскому времени
Прибытие: 08:07 по московскому времени
Расстояние: 750 км
Туристический сезон: июнь 2019 (Европейские игры 2019 в Минске)
Оператор поезда: ОАО «РЖД», Московская железная дорога, Белорусская железная дорога (Беларуская чыгунка БЧ)
электровоз Минск - Вязьма: Skoda ЧС4Т-476 (Московская железная дорога, депо Вязьма, построено в 1981 году)
электровоз Вязьма - Москва: Skoda ЧС7-027 (Московская железная дорога, депо Московская Курская, построено в 1984 году)
Leaving Smolensk from the train window. Смоленск. Вид из окна поезда.
Отправление со станции Смоленск. Вид из окна поезда 013 Москва-Берлин.
Смоленская область. Россия. Август 2010.
Специально для