"After travelling for 20 hours from Canada to Moscow, I immediately took my first overnight train to Kursk.

In hindsight, Kursk is not the best first impression of Russia. Everywhere I looked I saw dirt, hardly any plants or grass, and the buildings were old and worn.

The closest convenience store was a 25-minute bus ride away. All I could think was that I was across the world in an environment totally opposite to what I was accustomed to â?? and no one would be able to find me if something happened...."

Continue reading here

‍