calling on board!!!! TSU TRANSSIBERIAN DREAM here I come!!!!

Quando ormai la lista d'attesa e le mail dell'organizzatore principale mi avevano lasciato poche speranze...ecco arrivare la mail che mi comunica che hanno cambiato idea...hanno letteralmente deciso di prendere più persone a bordo e mi hanno presa...giubilo ed esaltazione e febbrili preparativi...ormai non manca molto alla partenza e ci sono ottomila preparativi burocratici da sbrigare..a cominciare dal visto..un bello sbattimento...ma sono davvero molto molto molto felice perchè, almeno nell'idea, è da un po' uno dei miei sogni viaggeschi quello di andare sulla Transsiberiana!!!Solo che non avrei mai avuto il coraggio di partire senza persone che parlassero russo. Non mi sarei mai nemmeno immaginata che prima o poi avrebbero organizzato una summer del genere e allora ho provato a fare l'application...ed eccomi qua!! :D Sarà la mia destinazione più lontana!! Non posso ancora crederci!! :D


Ecco il promo su cui ho iniziato a sbavare tempo fa:






E la bozza di descrizione sul sito aegee (molto bozza ma certi propositi degli organizzatori sono ben chiari):

SanMosTSU: TRANSsiberian Dream
A Travelling Summer University in St.Petersburg, Mosсow, Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Baikal Lake
Date: 03 - 17 July 2009
Organizers: AEGEE-Sankt-Peterburg,
AEGEE-Moskva
Languages: English
Places: 20
Lodging: Private, Youth Hostel, Cottage, Tent
Provided Meals: "Light" Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Event Fee: 269 €
Optional Fee: 30 €
Optional Part: Baikal Lake boat trip
Alternative: Enjoying the nature and russian girls
Payment: 70% in advance (transfer to the bank account)
Needed: Sleeping bag, mattress, warm clothes, drinks for European Night and good mood.
Email: transsiberiandream@gmail.com
Website: Website
University Support: no
Special SU Green theme

event description:
St.Peterburg – Moscow – Ekaterinburg – Irkutsk.

5892 km.

By train.

Have you ever traveled so far?

Truly admit that this idea has been coming across your mind so often and every time you thought that it was not still the right moment... so finally why not to make the craziest dream come true?

Only this year we offer you a unique chance to join us on our way to the very heart of Russia. The glance of capitals will be replaced by the magic view of primordial nature, noise of big cities will disappear and your heart will open to magic beauties of Baikal Lake. You will cross the border and enter mysterious, a bit wild, but very hospitable Asia. We will stop in different cities trying to show you all faces of extensive Russia.

Our SU will finish in Irkutsk.... however who said that it would be the end of your trip? You can continue your way to Far East, Kazakhstan, Mongolia or even China!

If you are resolute, motivated and strong enough to experience Mother Russia you are kindly welcome to take part in probably the best Traveling Summer University in 2009.

Main coordinator: Vlado
http://aegee.spb.ru/transsiberian/promo/

the ideal participant:
Since our SU is not an ordinary AEGEE-event we are looking for not JUST participants but real adventurous travelers:
- who can survive more than 24 hours in train,
- who are used to live and cooperate with others on group spirit,
- who are open-minded to new things and
- who are real fans of Russia.

Do not expect luxurious holidays or a cheap trip - BE PREPARED to endure Transsiberian route and to spend these days in an absolutely friendly and cheerful company.

information on cities/places:
Saint-Petersburg: Cultural capital of Russia, Northern Venice, museum under the sky... Having a great history of Russian former capital for more than two hundred years, the city hides many legends within the walls of majestic palaces and summer residences. As St. Petersburg is situated in the basin of Neva River it is celebrated for numerous canals, bridges and embankments as well as it is often threatened by floods. Come and visit the northern capital and you will know what is special in St. Petersburg courtyards, how many lions are in St. Peterbsurg and what the biggest problem is for lover couples during the summer time ;)
Moscow: The largest city in Europe, the most expensive city in the world.... People either like it or hate it. Nowadays being not a “typical” Russian city but a glorious metropolis of over 12 million inhabitants, Moscow reminds a small country inside of the city. Life never stops there, the city is moving all the time hosting non-stop parties which cater for all tastes.
Ekaterinburg: This city is the fourth largest city and a major city in the central part of Russia. Considering its location on the eastern side of Ural Mountains Ekaterinburg is regarded as an official gate from Europe to Asia. Like a two-headed eagle on the Russian coat of arms whose left head is looking at Europe while the right one is looking at Asia, Ekaterinburg has always been notable for outstanding historical events that occurred there: for example, the last Russian Emperor was killed there. In addition, Ekaterinburg is a birth place of the first Russian president and a place where Russian rock music culture was found (Ural rock).
Irkutsk: “Siberian tiger” Irkutsk is located in the heart of Siberia, 66 km from Baikal Lake. Irkutsk is a home for people of different nationalities. Also being far from “civilisation” people safely saved old customs, legends and traditions.
Baikal Lake: The deepest lake on the Earth contains more water than Great American Lakes. Baikal, which is sometimes called “Blue Eye of Siberia” or “Pearl of Siberia”, is one of the cleanest surface water reservoirs and you can drink water right from the lake. 70% of Baikal fauna is unique for this region and cannot be found anywhere else. Baikal area has always been a holy place of Asia and is full of legends and mysteries. Local folks call it God Baikal and treat it as a living and wise creature.

Activities: - Visiting the second biggest museum in the entire world (Hermitage)
- Watching opened bridges during famous White Nights in St.Petersburg
- Taking bath in fountains of Peterhof Palace
- Vodka drinking course
- How to read cyrillic letters workshop
- Standing on the exact point where Europe meets Asia (Ural mountains near Ekaterinburg)
- Kill-Mosquito competition in nature
- Standing next to Putin's house on Red Square in Moscow
- How to survive in Siberia workshop
- Trying to wake Lenin up in Moscow Mausoleum
- Enjoying beauty of Baikal Lake from a boat
- 24-hours-Alco-Train parties
and a lot of other fun
Disabled Participants: Sorry, this event is not suitable for participants with disabilities.
Lodging and Meals: The quality of lodging and meals will depend on the fund rising but we are positive that we will arrange comfortable places to stay (like youth hostels or cottages) and also warm meals.
Be sure that we will do our best to provide the participants with real Russian food and show our warm hospitality.
Youth hostel or private lodging in St.Peterburg, Moscow and Ekaterinburg. Cottage on Baikal Lake (Tents in the worst case).
Light breakfast (tea/coffee, eggs, milk, bread + cheese/ham, sausages, porridge)
And our unique offer: free 0,25 l vodka + pickles to every participant
We are eager to make the trip as comfortable as possible.
Travel Information: TSU will start in St.Peterburg and finish in Irkutsk.
How to get to St.Petersburg? Detailed information you can find at our web site: http://aegee.spb.ru/en/transsiberian/travel.htm

Last stop will be in Irkutsk. But who said that it would be YOUR final destination? Irkutsk is located not far from Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. We suppose for some of us the trip will not finish in Russia :)

City of Irkutsk has a plane connection with Moscow and Ekaterinburg and a train connection either with Western (Moscow) or Eastern (Vladivostok) directions. Vladivostok is final point of Great Transsiberian railroad. After Russia the train goes to China and finally stops in Bejjing.
Also from Irkutsk you can go by train to Alma-Aty (Kazakhstan) or Ulan-Bator (Mongolia).




E questo è l'itinerario che ci aspetta in treno:







our DREAM TEAM:

АРГЕНТИНА / ARGENTINA

Nicolas Bori / Николас Бори

ФИНЛЯНДИЯ / FINLAND

Pekko Parikka / Пекко Парикка

Panu Lempiainen / Пану Лемпияинен

ВЕЛИКОБРИТАНИЯ / GREAT BRITAIN

Rebecca Smith / Ребекка Смит

ГРЕЦИЯ / GREECE

Georgios Lamprou / Георгиос Лампру

Nikolaos Lampovas / Николаос Ламповас

ГОЛЛАНДИЯ / HOLLAND

Wim van Ravesteijn / Вим

Frank Coenen / Франк Кёнен

ВЕНГРИЯ / HUNGARY
Agnes Szanto / Агнес Санто

David Szeles / Давид Селес

ИТАЛИЯ / ITALY

Francesca Caratto / Франческа Каратто

Anna Luisa Di Napoli / Анна Луиза Ди Наполи

МАЛЬТА / MALTA

Alexianne Galea / Алексиан Галеа

СЕРБИЯ / SRBIJA

Zivojin Dinic / Живоин Динич

СЛОВЕНИЯ / SLOVENIA
Marjeta Kuralt / Марьета Куральт

Boris Kramar / Борис Крамар

Andrej Spilak / Андрей Шпилак

Danijel Crncec / Даниель Црнчец

ИСПАНИЯ / SPAIN
Adrian Quijano / Адриан Кихано

Francisco Montojo / Франциско Монтохо

and our DREAM ORGANIZERS :

РОССИЯ / RUSSIA

Vlado / Владо

Olya / Оля

Ljuba / Люба

Tolik / Толик

Ira Tveritneva / Ира Тверитнева

Masha / Маша

Yaroslavna / Ярославна

Natasha / Наташа

Oleg / Олег

Katya / Kondratjeva Катя Кондратьева

Ira Galushina / Ира Галушина

Katya Klimanova / Катя Климанова

Sergej / Сергей

Ulyana / Ульяна

Julia / Юля

Olya Poluyakhtova