More about Minsk

Minsk itself is a stark reminder of soviet ideology of the 1950s. The huge buildings and large open squares really feel like it was some sort of template for how all other cities were to be built. The reason why Minsk is so well planned as such is that it was absolutely annihilated during World War 2. Stalin ordered the complete rebuilding of what was now the capital city of one of his new socialist republics and that is certainly reflected in the grandiose architecture still present today.

Much like Pyongyang, a sense of national pride seems to be present everywhere. Ordinary places are given magnificent names like 'Victory square' and 'Palace of Sports'. I compare the 2 cities as they really are strikingly similar, and all for the wrong reasons! The metro is clean and efficient although quite close to the surface. The design of the stations is quite kitsch (just as I like it) and the numerous blast doors are ever present, much the same as the DPRK. A single ticket is about 12.5p and you can remain underground for as long as you wish, usually about 10 minutes.

My Russian is getting better, I can say hello and what my names is as well as asking theirs. I barely understand the response but hey, nobody's perfect and as long as I can order a beer 'Pee-va' then I'm fine! I'm working on the translation to 'Why don't you revolt against this tyrant Lukashenko' but all I can manage is the last word. Still, if you mention the name of the dictator, mixed views seem to come from the .0000001% of Minskers one encounters who can speak English! My contact for the apartment 'Yuriy' says that although he is not interested in foreign policy, "Lukashenko is probably the right man for 'these people'" as though he were part of the conspiracy.

I have 1 more full day here (I'll probably have a lie in again to kill some time ;-) and then it's of to Kiev for more soviet nostalgia, butter filled pancakes and a notorious nuclear power plant. Da svee-dan-ya!