In the Moscow Metro
“Did you sleep on the train?” The overnight train from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod was my first sleeper car experience.
“No, not much.” It was like a long massage though; the jiggle of the rail car a constant interruption. Also, I was too excited to sleep.
My travel guide to Nizhny Novgorod, Dmitry Budesko
“You’ll see the real Russia,” was what several new friends offered. And it was something to see as the morning sun lit up the countryside view; I could see the rugged housing stock along the tracks, but was it much different from similar scenes along the tracks out of any major city here at home? My eye caught the pedestrians leaving home on their way to work via the bus stop. This was real Russia.
Dmitry Budesko, my travel companion and translator, was invaluable; he had everything pre-arranged. We were picked up at the NN station and whisked to the hotel. We were a threesome including EBAN past-President Brigitte Baumann, who would stay for one day, me for two.
EBAN past-President Brigitte Baumann and me with our translators at the Incubator
We knew we would be speaking, but we weren’t sure of the format. Since we’re totally exhausted and drained after listening to our translators — at the Incubator we each have our own — drone on interpreting the politicians’ speeches. Our turn to speak comes after lunch and we have just enough time to pencil an outline: I will interview Brigitte and contribute a few comments myself as we cover the basics of “Who are Business Angels” and “What Makes a Good Deal”. It turns out well, with plenty of laughs as we cover Investing 101.
Next up are the entrepreneur pitches and since we’re already seated at the speakers table we’re now in a good position to lob a few critiques at the presenters. More laughs follow as Brigitte and I have different opinions as we attempt to educate the audience. We make a good team and we both agree — we should go on the road again sometime soon.
Then the program winds down and as the cocktail reception begins I’m a little jealous as Brigitte makes her good-byes. It’s day 3 of non-stop conferencing and I’m tired.
A few minutes later a couple of graduate students approach: Do I have plans for the evening? Would I like to see the sights?
This sounds refreshing, as I drove in from the station I was lamenting I wouldn’t get to do much exploring.
“Meet Sergey and Vladimir, and there’s another Sergey who would like to join you.”
“I have a one-Sergey limit,” I shoot back for a laugh. I have no idea if they’re from some Russian mob, so I ask the ring leader, Dmitry Sidorov to talk it over with Dmitry Budesko who is responsible for me. I’m assured it’s fine and soon I’m being escorted through Nizhny Novgorod at dusk.
Seeing the sights with Vladimir Landyshev in Nizhny Novogorod
In 5 minutes we’re out of the car and walking along a beautiful vintage pedestrian mall through the center of town. I tell them there’s nothing like this car-free, mile-long boulevard in Newport Beach, but of course, to them it’s just home; they take it for granted. Vladimir insists on buying me some authentic Russian souvenirs, so I let him and I’m touched by my young entourage.
Soon another student meets up with us and dinner plans are kicked around. They seem to know what I’d like and lead me to it; soon after we’re settled Dmitry Budesko and Nadia join us and we’re a party of 6 in a British Pub on a beautiful Spring night.
The food, I can’t remember, but the non-stop questions, I do. They had me telling stories one after the other until Vladimir laughed at the obvious, “You’re full of stories!”
I picked up the tab and we’re off again for some special overlooks that really do show off the city lights on this balmy night. These hang outs are packed with young couples and I get the feeling that everyone’s coming alive after a long cold winter. Vladimir has ambitions and I’m off next for a late night walk around the local Kremlin with more stunning views of the Volga River far below.
It’s after 11 by the time I get back to the hotel, tired but invigorated. There’s one more day before I begin my long journey back to Moscow then home.
One of the nighttime scenes
