Minsk Minimum
Boarding in Brussels, we fly to Vienna. From there we take a direct flight to Minsk. On the airport we have to fill out a health declaration. We confirm our good health. It costs 2 dollar, to be paid in cash.
After a long taxi drive we arrive at hotel Minsk. A big hall with several reception areas. The rooms are modest compared to the entrance. It’s winter. Cold and (old) snow everywhere. Minsk looks sober. A grey city without much colour. In the hotel lobby and in the bar we notice a lot of women who seem eager – let’s put it mild – to offer us several erotic services.
Sightseeing Minsk
We stroll through a park next to the hotel. A large river then. A monument commemorating the Russian victims of the Afghanistan war. Coffee at a nice place.
In the park Marat Kazei we see the monument of this remarkable young man. He is one of the youngest Heroes of the Great Patriotic War (Second World War). Marat died at the age of 14. With a grenade in his hand he stepped into the thick of his enemies, blowing them up with him.
The museum dedicated to the Great War is close by. Alas, all the explanation in text is in Russian. Serving foreign tourists has yet to be established…
The Red Church is a symbol of Minsk. Official name Sts Simon and Helena Church. Called Red Church because of its red brick walls. Then we walk Nezavisimosti Avenue to Victory Square. Lots of nice big buildings here, including the Residence of the President.
After visiting a small market where they sell mainly food we drink a few aperitifs. Then dinner in restaurant Kamyanitsa. Very good, very tasty! The chef drops by to chat a little. He’s from Beograd, by the way.
More sightseeing Minsk
We visit a big bazaar. There are several book shops. Obviously we can’t read the books. But also old paper money is sold here. With the vague idea on our mind this money will be worth a lot in our own country we buy some notes. Later, back home, it turns out the money is worthless.
Impressive is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. It’s the most important Russian Orthodox Church in the city. Nice green colors! Lunch in the Panorama bar of the Belarus hotel. We are the only visitors. Lunch is served on a big table for 12 persons – for groups, the way they travelled in Soviet times. The view is splendid – but all we see is a dull, grey city.
Before leaving for the airport we take a sauna in a sport school. This is very popular over here. During the corona time, years later, the president of Belarus (who was president also when we visited) recommended a sauna as a cure for corona…
Trip was made in 2005.
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