Belarus

[AB Editor]

I think mikewall01 is due back from Belarus about now and had posted a couple of questions before setting off. So, mikewall01, how was it?

[mikewall01]

Great trip. Went with national airline, Belavia, 3 hours from Gatwick, basic but comfortable. Spent half of time in Minsk. Everywhere clean and spacious. Way of life so different. Beer or vodka for breakfast takes some getting used to. Everyone seems to drink in the streets and on buses etc. Good transport links. Food very good. Everything is dirt cheap. Cigs 30p. Vodka 60p / 75 c, meal about �4. Country very flat. Half of it is forest and lakes. Had bbq in forest in snow. Most people live in huge blocks of flats. Other half of time in Soligorsk, 135 km south of Minsk. Very few entertainment spots but surrounded by beautiful lakes and forest. Lived with local family ... hospitality superb. Word of warning; don't speak English in lonely places at night; risk of mugging. The planners seem to have done a good job rebuilding the country since WW2. Wide streets, subways (no jaywalking) lots of parks and open space. They love statues and memorials. Barter for everything. Most goods readily available. People love to shout. Officials have to do everything slowly and ensure that you have plenty of stamped endorsements on all paperwork. Phone bill (�4.50) for 19 calls from hotel has 6 pages with two attachments and 7 stamps on. All a new experience for me. Loved it, and will return.

[darth vader]

they drink vodka for breakfast?
Thanks for those words, nice to hear as it's a place i know nothing about