Journey to Moscow, Russia – Day 4: A day of business

The Morning
I woke up in the morning and walked over to the coffee shop across the street from my hostel. This chain of coffee shops is really nice, much better then Starbucks, and they are located on almost every block of the city. I ordered a Cappuccino and salmon sandwich, while watching an endless stream of young, attractive Russian girls come in and out.

I headed back to the hostel to pack up my bags and make the journey back to the first hostel I was suppose to stay at on Arabat Street. It took about 20 minutes to get to the hostel on foot, but it was a beautiful walk. Arbat Street is the only pedestrian street in the whole city full of bars, restaurants and stores. I went to my hostel to check in and pay for my police registration. I went to the room unpacked and took a small nap. I was supposed to meet Yriy and Alexey, a shop owner from the Ukraine, at Rollerclub at 3:00pm. Yriy told me I should take a taxi, because it would be either, but I decided I needed to learn the subway system so I tried to get there on my own.

First stop of the day, the coffee shop.
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Journey to Moscow, Russia – Day 3: I’m here!

The Flight
I was so exhausted when I board the plane in Washington D.C. that I could not wait to fall asleep. Fortunately Julie Peel’s brother gave me a muscle relaxer that I took when I boarded the plane and was able to sleep without waking up all the way from Nova Scotia to Helsinki, Finland. When I woke up breakfast was served and we landed in Moscow shortly after.

On the plane to Moscow.
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Journey to Moscow, Russia – Day 2: Washington D.C.

This morning I arrived at Washington Dulles Airport at 7:30am. I barely slept on the plane and the girl next to me complained to her mom about my snoring. I had almost 9 hours to kill while in D.C. and I figured if I am going to the Capital of Russia and I am currently in the Capital of America I might as well visit it. I made my way to the information booth to find my way to downtown. Turns out I needed to take Metro Bus 5A on a 45 minute journey to downtown D.C. I caught the 8:45 am bus and made it to downtown at 9:30am. My first stop was the Capital building. It was a long walk and the heat was unbearable at 95 degrees. I got a latte at starbucks and the worst eggroll at some stand that was the size of a coke can filled with cabbage. I ended up walking about 45 blocks total in D.C. today and I am absolutely sore on top of not having slept last night.

Just landing in DC
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Journey to Moscow, Russia – Day 1: San Diego

Today I have begun my voyage to Moscow, Russia. My journey starts here in San Diego where I will be taking a train to Irvine. My good friend Chris Peel will be picking me up from the station and we will spend the rest of the day together until he drops me off at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for my 11:55pm flight to Washing DC (IAD). From there I have a 12 hour layover which is followed by a 17 hour flight to Moscow.

My trip has already had an interesting start to it. I woke up at 11:00am, took a shower and packed my bags. My boy Justin came and picked me up at 12:45pm and drove me to Rat Tail to grab some last minute items before Dropped my off at Amtrack to catch my train. Unfortunately the  train has been delayed by two hours because someone was struck and killed by the train that I am suppose to be on. Supposedly it has started moving again and should leave San Diego at 3:15pm. Next stope Irvine.

San Diego’s Sante Fe Depot train station.
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Brian Shima places 3rd at the Australia Roll Open

Congratulations to Brian Shima for placing 3rd at the Australia Roll Open WRS event in Melbourne, Australia. He is now ranked 2nd on the World Rolling Series ranking system. Check the website here worldrollingseries.com. Brian shot a few photos while our in Melbourne that you can check out below.
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One Video Premiere and Rat Tail Open House

Rat Tail is hosting the premiere of the One Video at their warehouse on Saturday April 4th. There will be an open house to check the warehouse and our upcoming storefront. There will be a keg of beer for those of you who are 21+ plus DJ C. Wizard (aka Cory Casey) will be spinning tunes.