Yup. I just came back from Russia; touched down yesterday actually. it was a really amazing trip filled with intriguing architecture, plush lodgings and awesome company. russia is unexpectedly much safer than many other countries, ok, maybe the cities like moscow and st petersburg at least. st petersburg seems to be really safe at night, even when we went out at 1130pm and ppl there are actually quite orderly although the rush hour metro can be quite atrocious. To my surprise indeed that these cities are much more safer than cities in developed countries like spain.

think i would not describe the many different places of interest that i've been to. facebook has done the job, so will just upload some well-captured pictures of both cities. but i must say i'm really proud to have been to st petersburg which is one of the pit stops for amazing race 17. somehow when i was there, i felt that i was 1 of the teams. taking an overnight train from moscow to st petersburg. then going to the main attractions which are also the checkpoints. then moving around in a cab-like minivan.

St Petersburg!

Moscow!

One of the main things that i took home from this trip is to get to know xy better. i really respect him after this trip cos he's 1 of the rare few whom i feel is very insightful yet modest. never condescending but always so patient to teach. and he's some1 who strongly believes in what he does and kinda influenced me to want to know more about my own religion - buddhism. i will always remember what he said about buddhism allowing him to understand and respect other religion without losing faith in one's own. somehow, i feel that not everyone is able to not feel that his/her religion is more superior than others. thus, i really look up to him in this case. perhaps buddhism has taught him quite a lot of stuff which allows him to believe in the things he does, making me want to know more as well. i believe i will put in effort to know more and yes, xy shall be my role model.