m&d travel and tours

Our Corporate Profile

Founded by a group of two friends since 2014, m and d travels & tours  management have been doing everything possible to deliver the best of traveling services to her customers. currently, it is one of the leading traveling & tourism management company in gambia and a pioneer in the tourism sector in west africa., why choose us, we are a full-fledged service management company. we specialize on travel, travel support services and tours. our tour packages offer an adventure in culture to exotic destinations within west africa and the uae . your interests and satisfaction are our priority.

This is the nucleus that sustains all aspects of our business. It is best explain in the following parts:

Service: Anticipate and strive to meet the needs of our customers in the best professional manner.

Strength: To build a strong and loyal network of clienteles and work to attain lasting and mutual benefits.

Sustainability: To assist in community development.

Standard: We strive to be the best in the travel industry with unbeatable prices.

We believe in legacies. An enduring tradition that is able to stand the test of time and change. Our mission defines our purpose and is the focal point for all that we do as an organization. Our mission are as follows;

To guarantee on our part an unforgettable travel experience streamlined and tailored to our clients’ individual and unique needs

To inspire awareness and interest in a culture of travel and tourism

To build a brand that generates loyalty and trust among our customers

Customer-centric

Reliability

Partnership & Affiliates

Our successful business partnerships and collaboration with the world’s largest and most trusted travel associations and brands gives us a unique competitive edge in the market while empowering our growth. m & d travels & tours specialized in every aspect of travel – from hotel bookings to ground handling services and excursions, cruise management, air charters and vip luxury travel – m & d has been a brand of ‘choice’ for so many clients worldwide who have tried, tested and partnered with us., our achievements & the promise.

M & D Travels had helped so many clients to get good hotel accommodations at cost that matched their budget, got good flight fares, assisted in visa procurement, made unmatched travel plans and helped them to have a memorable travel experience. these we have done and still counting….

We are committed to staying afloat for the long haul whether it rains or shines

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Why M & M Travel and Tours?

Unlike online travel agencies and supplier websites, we provide exceptional customized service based on YOUR needs AND can save you a lot of time and money. For years M & M Travel and Tours has been a leader in Michigan, providing countless happy clients with treasured, lasting memories of the vacations of their dreams.

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Safety and security, if something goes awry on your vacation or during your trip, you have someone to call and help you in the most expeditious ways possible.  take advantage of this security and satisfaction in knowing we are there for you, better deals, lower rates, and no cost to you, in many cases, we can get you a lower room rate, room upgrades, special honeymoon and anniversary packages, late checkouts, spa credits and other perks through our relationship with travel suppliers.  we are a local face-to-face contact., our suppliers:.

5534 Richfield Road Flint, MI 48506 (810) 228 3539

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International Airlines Travel Agent Network Elite Cruise Counselor through CLIA Master Cruise Counselor through CLIA Associate Cruise Counselor through CLIA CTA (Certified Travel Associate) CATA (Certified Accessible Travel Advocate) CATP (Certified Autism Travel Professional) Accredited with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cruise Line International Association (CLIA)

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We use only the best, most trusted suppliers, and we can give you the best advice for your travel arrangements for:

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Meet with me or one of my agents in our spacious office.  If you have an idea where you would like to go, great!  If not, that’s great too.  We have literally thousands of travel ideas for you to think about, and will make sure every detail of your trip is taken care of.  

All without a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we work within any and all realistic budgets, and an honest sharing of ideas and goals helps us immensely when making recommendations and suggested edits to travel plans.

No, there is no fee for our vacation planning services as the travel vendors involved recognize our value and compensate us from the gross amount paid (what you would have paid even without our assistance). For those complicated international itineraries that require custom crafting and significant involvement of our international on-location partners, we do request an intent-to-travel deposit to begin the process. This deposit is applied to the  reservations  that are made on your behalf.

No. We have access to all the same pricing for resorts as the online booking sites do and we can price-match online booking engine pricing when comparing apples to apples.

In many cases, we can find discounts and other promotional offerings that are not offered to the general public.

IATAN offers M & M Travel and Tours  global recognition and global reach, which no other accreditation program can.

Travel insurance is available and recommended to protect your travel investment. Many trips, such as tours and cruises, involve non-refundable funds paid months in advance. Travel insurance protects you from losing this investment. Perhaps even more important is the ‘during travel’ coverage and assistance that comes with the top-flight insurance company we utilize.

You can find them here:

Trip interruption due to illness or unforeseen circumstances can be very expensive, and medical care abroad is often not covered by domestic insurance plans.

Call us right away. If it’s after normal business hours, please contact the next involved travel supplier (airline, hotel, tour operator, cruise line) to cancel any reservations you will not be able to use. If you purchased travel insurance, please contact the insurance company’s 24-hour line to start the cancellation process and ensure your maximum refund.

M & M Travel and Tours will do everything possible to accommodate your requests and needs. Please indicate on you reservation form your specific requests. The sooner that we know that you have a special request, the better we can prepare and accommodate. If you have any mobility challenges, we suggest you bring a travel-mate that can best assist you in the way that you need.

Government-issued identification is required for all air travel. A valid passport is required for all trips outside the USA. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. We recommend that your passport has six months validity, and at least 3 blank pages. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. International Borders. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister’s Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements in other international destinations. In South Africa, children are required to have a passport as well as additional documentation to travel with you into and out of the country. Please consult the South African Embassy for the current specific requirements related to your travel dates.

If traveling internationally with a child under the age of 18, please check directly with the airline for the legal documentation that is required. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to procure the proper documentation to travel and many requirements vary by airline and destination.

M & M Travel and Tours will not be responsible for costs incurred for missed flights or canceled tours where a guest fails to secure proper documentation.

Please indicate on your reservation from whom you are traveling with and we will request that the hotel assigns your rooms next to each other. Although adjacent rooms will be requested, the hotels are not always able to accommodate. We will ensure your rooms are near each other if not connected.

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A full service travel agency located in Flint, Michigan serving the world.  Book your cruise, Disney vacation, Jamaica vacation, and more with M & M Travel and Tours.

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Conquer The World With Us

Welcome to jmd's travel & tours.

JMD'S Travel & Tours is a local and international travel agency that was established on September 19, 2020. It is owned and managed by Jayson Mengid Danganan, who founded the company as a birthday gift to himself. The primary goal of JMD'S Travel & Tours is to provide affordable and stress-free travel experiences to individuals and groups around the world.

The name "J.M.D" is derived from the initials of the owner's real name, Jayson Mengid Danganan. Jayson, a young, dynamic entrepreneur and businessman, currently holds the position of Accounting Supervisor in a private company while also overseeing the operations of JMD'S Travel & Tours.

Despite starting during a pandemic, JMD'S Travel & Tours began as a home-based travel agency located at Barangay 593 Santa Mesa, Manila. Despite the challenging circumstances, the company has successfully ventured into new geographic arenas, constantly striving to offer the best possible deals to its clients.

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CDO, Philippines

Thank youuu so much JMD's Travel and Tours for assisting my flight! Highly recommended po. Sobrang accommodating and they will remind you every now and then of your flight. Hassle free kana talaga!!! 100 stars for me! THE BEST... Thank you guys til next TRAVEL!!!

Kim Jero Jangayo

Las Piñas City, Philippines

Easy Booking, Friendly Staff san ka pa? Edi sa JMD's kana! Thank you so much po sa pag-assist sa amin. The best talaga kayo! Pang 6 na pa book ko na sa inyo pero never kami nadismaya. Sa uulitin!!!

Ma'am Cristy

Manila City

Thank you JMD's Travel and Tours, for the smooth, fast and convenient transactions. Super nag enjoy po kami sa Bangkok Tour and yung affiliate ninyo sa Bangkok ay napaka-babait din, hindi kami pinabayaan.

Ma'am Madeline

I highly recommended this Agency, sumila pag-alis hanggang makarating back to PH hindi kami pinabayaan ni Sir. Constant reminders and everyday na pag kamusta sa amin bagay na we really appreciate. Thank you JMD

Brgy. 593 Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. Santa Mesa Manila, Philippines

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These Notorious So-called 'Tourist Traps' Are Worth Visiting, According to Travelers

Travelers are speaking out to say these spots aren't half bad.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Alex Livesey/FIFA via Getty Images

Ah, the traveler’s debacle: To follow the crowd to major, must-see sights knowing they’ll be met with overpriced services, entertainment, food, and souvenirs — or to avoid these sites completely and search out hidden gems void of other tourists. To some, visiting Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower isn’t seeing Paris , while to others, the complete opposite is true. 

It’s a question — or way of traveling — that isn’t always black-and-white. Most of us want to see the major sites — preferably without giant tour groups and overpriced crêpe stands — and stumble upon authentic places that few others will get to experience. So when is it worth following the crowd to a site you really want to see, even though it’s probably a tourist trap?

One user on Reddit , u/MarathonMarathon, posed that question , noting that for them, the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in Shanghai was a tourist trap they ended up genuinely liking. “It's basically this short 5-minute tourist trap light show tram thing that takes you across the Huangpu River from the Bund to Pudong, with bizarre voice-overs. Sort of like some Disney attraction, but sadder, the very epitome of a kitsch tourist trap.”

The Reddit community responded, sharing the tourist-trap-inclined sites and tours that they genuinely liked and would recommend to others. Below are the “best” responses in order:

Maid of the Mist Boat Tour — Niagara Falls, U.S.

The 20-minute Maid of the Mist boat tour, which claims to be “the original Niagara Falls boat tour” — takes travelers to the foot of Niagara Falls where they can feel the power of 600,000 gallons of water crashing down and enjoy the resulting mist.

“You wait in line forever, the boat is packed, it seems cheesy ... and then you get up to the Falls and feel their power, you realize that the boat has the engine running at full power yet it struggles against the current and you realize that yeah, this is awesome,” said u/twoeightnine.

Original Sound of Music bus tour — Salzburg, Germany

The Original Sound of Music bus tour takes travelers through Salzburg, where "The Sound of Music" movie was filmed. The bus visits Mirabell Garden and Pegasus Fountain, where Maria and the children danced in the movie; Schloss Leopoldskron, the house, where the Trapp Family lived; and Church Mondsee, where Maria and Baron von Trapp got married, along with other sites.

User u/opuntialantana said the four-hour journey included, “Glorious views, drinks, snacks, and a Maria von Trapp lookalike leading us in singalongs as we drove from one filming location to the next. It was cheesy and it was perfect.”

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours — Matamata, New Zealand

At Hobbiton , visitors can walk through the lush pastures of the Shire and through the movie set used in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film trilogies. The part-bus, part-walking tour includes visits to the series’ most famous locations, including the Hobbit Hole where Bilbo and Frodo Baggins lived. 

The 2.5-hour tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn , where a free drink concludes the tour of Middle-earth.

Guinness Storehouse — Dublin

The home of Ireland’s most iconic beer offers daily self-guided tours that include entry to the Guinness tasting rooms and a pint of Guinness. If you’re a true beer or Guinness connoisseur, you can opt for a “ premium experience ,” like a guided tasting with storytelling or a tour through the brewery’s historic sites — including their famous underground tunnels.

“When anyone came to visit [sic] me I always took them there; it never got old! It’s a well-curated museum and of course, the tap room is always fun to go to. Also, all my Irish friends were happy to go with me when I first moved there so it seems to be well-liked among people that live there too,” said u/tcpower2.

Hofbräuhaus München — Munich

Reddit user u/Triple10X said they initially went to Hofbräuhaus München “just to say that we've been there.” But after visiting several smaller German beer halls they felt that Hofbräuhaus was the best. 

The three-floor beer hall has a Bavarian restaurant and ongoing shows that take place in a historic, 16th-century building. According to u/Triple10X, “The food we got was phenomenal, the beer was obviously good and the atmosphere was eclectic with multiple couples around us all talking to each other in different languages.”

See how jamón gets made in the heartland of Spanish pork

In jabugo, travelers can visit ibérico pigs in the pasture and learn how to carve some of the world’s finest cured ham.

ARACENA, Spain — “How do you like the ham?” asked Manolo Romero de la Ossa, the owner of Casas, a popular restaurant here in Andalusia.

All week long around the village of Jabugo, my wife and I had been eating jamón Ibérico de bellota, the sweet, nutty, salty and creamy product of black-hoofed, free-range pigs that consume a special diet.

“It’s great,” I said. Then I mentioned just how much ham we’d been eating.

“What does that matter?” Romero de la Ossa said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand. “You’re in the ham capital of Spain, even the world, and when it’s this good, you can’t stop. You eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

He was right. To mistake cured Spanish jamón (pronounced “hahm-ohn”) with the packaged, sliced ham you find at your local supermarket would be like comparing a fast-food burger to a wagyu steak, or Pabst Blue Ribbon with a Czech bottle of Pilsner Urquell. Even Italian prosciutto is not in the same league.

Jamón Ibérico de bellota is a whole other beast. For about three months out of the year, Iberian pigs graze on acorns (or bellotas in Spanish), giving the jamón a rich taste that some Spaniards have likened to a drug.

Jabugo is synonymous with the highest-quality jamón in Spain — and, some would argue, the world. I came here because my Spanish friends would whisper in irreverent tones when anyone uttered the phrase “jamón de Jabugo.” I felt like I was let in on some culinary secret: the best cured ham on the planet comes from a village of about 2,200 people nestled in the mountains of southern Spain.

Pasture tours and jamón museums

Is there such a thing as pork tourism? There is in Jabugo.

The town is so ham-centric that the main square is called Plaza del Jamón, and there is an array of bronze sculptures of jamón-cutters. There are also museums dedicated to Spanish jamón in Jabugo and Aracena.

Jabugo boasts a handful of jamón producers. The most famous is Cinco Jotas. The company offers several services for visitors to literally get their hands dirty and have their palates dazzled. I signed up for the full experience, including a visit to the oak tree-studded pastures to hang with the hogs, a tour of the 19th-century ham-curing cellars, a lesson in how to carve jamón like a pro, and, of course, a tasting.

It all gave me a much better insight into how much time and effort it takes to nurture an unparalleled product, and why it’s so expensive. A leg of black-label jamón Ibérico can cost as much as $1,700 . Acorns are rich in fatty acids and nutrients. You could say they are a porcine superfood.

Spain has a handful of main jamón-producing regions, including Salamanca, Extremadura, the Los Pedroches Valley and Jabugo. But not all jamón Ibérico is created equal.

In 2014, the Spanish government created a color-coded system to inform consumers of the percentage of the pig’s Iberian ancestry. A white label, for example, means the breed of pig is at least 50 percent Iberian; it eats mostly fodder (a random mixture of grain, hay, and vegetables); and is not free range.

On the other end is black label, meaning the pig is 100 percent Iberian (or pata negra), it feeds from November to February on acorns, and is free range. There are also dozens of strict regulations about weight, size and the amount of free-range space the pigs should have, among other factors. Only 6 percent of the jamón Ibérico produced in Spain gets a black label designation.

Iberian pigs have fewer offspring than other breeds, produce less meat and take longer to mature. For those reasons, many ham producers in Spain crossbreed them. Cinco Jotas only uses 100 percent Iberian pigs, making it one of the few jamón-producing companies in Spain that gets the black label designation.

What makes jamón de Jabugo so special

People have been curing jamón in southwestern Spain for a very long time. Even the Romans recognized the area as particularly beneficial for the task of curing pork.

In A.D. 77 Roman writer Pliny the Elder wrote of Iberian pigs , “There is no animal that affords a greater variety to the palate of the epicure; all the others have their own peculiar flavour, but the flesh of the hog has nearly fifty different flavours.” On Christopher Columbus’s second voyage, in 1493, his ships were said to be loaded with Ibérico pigs as they crossed the Atlantic.

Until the late 19th century, ham production in Jabugo was small-scale, limited to a few small family-run slaughterhouses. It was only when a jamón-obsessed businessman, Rafael Sánchez Romero, recognized a growing demand for the high-quality ham from Jabugo that the product started to spread to cities like Seville and beyond. He started Cinco Jotas in 1879.

In 1994, jamón de Jabugo got DOP status — Denominación de Origen Protegida (literally “Protected Designation of Origin”) — a European Union certification that ensures a certain product comes from a specific geographic zone. The zone in question here extends beyond Jabugo to 30 other villages in the surrounding area where the ham produced is officially “jamón de Jabugo.”

“One of the most important factors in shaping the taste of jamón de Jabugo is the microclimate here,” said José Antonio Pavón, the Director General of DOP Jabugo, an the organization that maintains Jabugo’s DOP status. “We get 1,000 liters of rain here — that’s far more than any other ham-producing region in Spain.”

To add to that, something called the Foehn effect — a meteorological term for what happens when there’s a warm, dry condition on one side of a mountain and a cold, wet condition on the other, resulting in extreme temperature change — is caused by the wind from the Atlantic Ocean hitting the high-altitude mountains in Jabugo.

“The daytime temperature in summer can be at 105 degrees, and then at night it can go all the way down to 65 degrees,” said Maria Castro Bermúdez Coronel, the director of communications for Cinco Jotas. “This affects that taste, compared to other jamón-producing regions, in that the warm weather creates a strong flavor in the meat.”

The pigs are slaughtered — or “sacrificed” as Spaniards prefer to say — when they’re around 22 months old. Then the back legs (called “jamón”) and front legs (called “paleta,” or shoulder) sit in salt for a few weeks (one day per kilogram).

Next, they spend time in the drying process, hanging in a temperature-controlled room before being moved to a windowless cellar for a few years. The entire process can take up to five years before a leg of jamón is ready to be sliced and savored.

How to get your hands on jamón Ibérico

Look around your local supermarket — or pretty much any supermarket in the United States — and you likely will not find jamón Ibérico de bellota.

It’s not particularly hard to find jamón serrano, the most commonly produced jamón in Spain, which is good but does not possess the “wow” factor compared to black-label jamón Ibérico de bellota. If you want it, you have to go to a specialty food shop, buy it online or, like me, come to the source.

Antonio Cabrera, a sales manager at Covap, a jamón producer in Los Pedroches Valley near Córdoba, and the grandson of the company’s co-founder, said, “Italian culinary culture is so cemented in the United States, especially on the East Coast, that many people have a cultural attachment to prosciutto.”

Jamón Ibérico was approved for import by the U.S. government only in 2005 , and its emergence in the United States — particularly the black-label variety — has been crawling at a Mediterranean pace. “We have some catching up to do,” he said.

If you’re in Spain and you want to bring back some black-label jamón Ibérico de bellota (or other pork products, Spanish or otherwise), you might want to think twice: It’s illegal.

However, there are plenty of ways to buy it online: You can go straight to the source at Cinco Jotas or visit the websites for Spanish gourmet websites for the U.S. market, including La Tienda , Campo Grande or Despaña .

For a 3-ounce packet of sliced black-label jamón Ibérico de bellota, expect to pay around $40. If you want to splurge and get your own leg, prices vary depending on the weight and if it’s the front leg or the heavier back leg.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights .

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

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Free Taylor Swift tickets: Company will pay 2 friends to travel to London, attend Eras Tour

Taylor Swift fans are being offered the opportunity of their "wildest dreams."

Flytographer, a platform that connects travelers with photographers around the world, is looking to hire two Swiftie BFFs to attend the Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London on Aug. 19, 2024.

The company launched three Taylor Swift-inspired photo tours in London, Paris and New York, according to a press release.

OSCAR MAYER WILL PAY WIENERMOBILE DRIVERS $35K TO TRAVEL ACROSS US IN A GIANT HOT DOG

"The Capture Your Era Photo Tours will include stops inspired by iconic moments in history, including Cornelia St. in New York, Pont des Arts in Paris, and the West End in London," the company wrote.

"To debut these new tours, Flytographer is hiring two best friends as the company’s Chief Memory Makers, tasked with taking the trip of their wildest dreams to test out the new Capture Your (London) Era Photo Tour."

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The lucky new hires will test out the London-based photo tour experience, capturing pictures and videos for Flytographer’s Instagram account.

TAYLOR SWIFT FANS DRIVE NEW TRAVEL TREND OF ‘GIG TRIPPING': HOW DOES IT WORK?

The job includes a $5,000 travel stipend, premium tickets to the Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium, and a Flytographer photo shoot.

The two hires will also receive a $100 salon credit and $100 shopping credit to buy the "ultimate Eras Tour outfit," the release said.

Flytographer founder and CEO Nicole Smith shared her hopes for the future hires in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

"My hope for this ‘job,’ as a fan of Taylor myself, is that the Chief Memory Makers will be able to make memories that will last a lifetime, at the event of a lifetime, and have photos that help them capture and remember the magic of the entire experience," she said. 

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"We’ve all seen the tremendous impact Taylor Swift has had, with millions of fans coming together to celebrate the Eras Tour with their best friends. From mothers taking daughters to their first concert to lifelong best friends reconnecting to go to a show together, and some even going solo and meeting fellow fans for the first time to celebrate an icon together, it’s been inspiring to see."

The CEO noted that Flytographer wanted to be a part of Swiftie history "by capturing the special moments for fans traveling abroad and giving two best friends the experience of a lifetime."

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Interested applicants can apply and prove their fan "reputation" at flytographer.com until May 9. 

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, though the BFF they bring along can be younger.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxbusiness.com/lifestyle

Original article source: Free Taylor Swift tickets: Company will pay 2 friends to travel to London, attend Eras Tour

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Certares to Fuel FTI Tech Overhaul with Takeover, $130 Million Investment

Jesse Chase-Lubitz , Skift

April 16th, 2024 at 1:59 PM EDT

A leading travel and tourism investment firm acquires the third-largest tour operator in Europe.

Jesse Chase-Lubitz

Certares , a travel and tourism investment firm, led a consortium that acquired FTI Group , the third-largest tour operator in Europe.

This deal ends a restructuring begun in September to strengthen FTI’s finances.

The consortium will own all of the share capital, and FTI will get about $130 million (€125 million) to funnel into its digital transformation and growth.

“Certares’ extensive industry experience and the new capital funding position FTI for exceptional growth,” said Karl Markgraf, CEO of the FTI Group.

Certares holds stakes in a range of travel companies like G Adventures, AmaWaterways and American Express Global Business Travel. The company and another private equity firm also own a majority stake in Hertz and it acquired several hotels in the last year. Certares founder and senior managing director Greg O’Hara became the chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council in November.

Munich-based FTI Group has 120 subsidiaries in German speaking markets, the Netherlands, UK, France, and other destinations.

The group had 6 million customers as of 2022, the latest figures available. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding to be a launch partner with Saudi Arabia for increased multi-day tours in the Middle East.

Competitors to FTI include the giant TUI Group, DER Touristik, Kuoni, and Hotelplan.

Correction: This article has been updated to note that Certares owns a majority stake in Hertz with another private equity firm. An earlier version of this article also said that Certares owns a stake in Tripadvisor – its stake is in Liberty Tripadvisor.

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Fjords, Pharaohs or Koalas? Time to Plan for Your Next Eclipse.

If you can’t get enough of totality, or missed out this time, you’ll have three more chances in the next four years in destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt and Australia.

• Share full article

By Danielle Dowling

Are you still a little giddy from the magical moments of totality during Monday’s solar eclipse? Or did clouds swoop in to block your view? Maybe you just couldn’t make it to the path of totality this time. No matter what, the question now is “ Where and when will it happen again?”

“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, an eclipse chaser and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium.

So, if like Mr. Rao, you’ve developed a raging case of umbraphilia — the love of eclipses — you’ll have three chances over the next four years to see the moon blot out the sun. The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand.

Future Eclipses

Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse .

Last week, as Victoria Sahami , the owner of Sirius Travel , was preparing to guide a group of tourists in Mazatlán, Mexico, for Monday’s big event, she was also planning for these other upcoming eclipses. Ms. Sahami joined the ranks of the eclipse-obsessed when she witnessed one in Venezuela in the 1990s. “Like many people, I was hooked. There was no going back,” she said.

Total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly — about every one to two years — in locations scattered around the world. “That’s the great thing about them: You wind up in places that you don’t normally go,” Ms. Sahami said.

A major spoiler is weather, which will be a big variable in the 2026 eclipse — one Greenland, Iceland and Spain will see.

“Iceland normally has a lot of cloud during that time of year,” said Paul Maley , who runs Ring of Fire Expeditions . “The data shows Spain to have the higher good-weather prospects of all three. However, the sun is low in the sky and the eclipse ends as the sun hits the horizon at sunset.”

Because of Iceland’s mercurial meteorology, Ring of Fire Expeditions is going all in on Spain, with a 10-day excursion on the mainland. Sirius Travel is offering not only a five-day trip to Majorca but also an eight-day tour around Iceland. It will be based in Reykjavik, and the itinerary will remain flexible on the day of the eclipse so the tour can easily pivot toward the location with the least cloud cover. Ms. Sahami recommends the trip for those who already have a few eclipses under their belt and would be happy just to take in the sights of Iceland if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The 2027 eclipse, on the other hand, promises to be truly stellar: Luxor, Egypt — the site of numerous ancient temples as well as the Valleys of the Kings and Queens — sits right in the middle of the path of totality and will be bathed in darkness for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds. Weather-wise, it is what Ms. Sahami called “a slam dunk.” “You know you’re going to see it. You know that you’re not going to get any clouds,” she said.

But for all its potential, those considering Egypt should be aware that the State Department has a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for the country because of the risk of terrorism.

The 2028 eclipse will darken the skies over Sydney, Australia, for 3 minutes 49 seconds. It will be the first time the city has experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. Ms. Sahami has her eyes on a trip based out of there, while Mr. Maley has chartered a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Australia. It will be winter there, he said, but that isn’t likely to mean bad eclipse-viewing weather.

If you want to see any (or all) of these eclipses, you should get started on planning and booking now, particularly if you want to sign up for a trip organized by a tour company. One of Sirius Travel’s excursions to Luxor is already full.

Scrutinize refund policies and look into insuring your trip. Several companies will fully refund your deposit if you cancel a year in advance. A lot can happen, Ms. Sahami said, “but if you think you’re going to go, why not?”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Tyr's Domain

Our Russian Trip

July 29th, 2000 -- the countdown has begun.

Who are we?

August 1st, 2000 -- Are we there yet?

• A Traveler's History of Russia and the USSR by Peter Neville;
• Russia, Ukraine, & Belarus by the people at the Lonely Planet;
• Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak;
• Sing Me the Creation by Paul Matthews;
• Russian -- A Rough Guide Phrasebook by the people at the Lonely Planet;
• Russian -- A Complete Course for Beginners by Daphne M. West ; and
• A half-way filled in travel journal.

Perusing through our travel backpack, I can see that Anna is bringing:

• How to Raise a Healthy Child... In Spite of your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D.;
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett;
• Vaccination: The Issue of Our Times edited by Peggy O'Mara; 
• Three issues of Mothering -- The Natural Family Living Magazine
• The August 2000 issue of National Geographic ; and
• hip Mama -- The Parenting Zine

Although, I was not sure what to expect when I began listing our reading list, I see now that our travel priorities are well represented. I am thinking "Russia, what is this place all about?" and Anna, she is thinking "Russia, it is all about family."

I think we are prepared, and ready to go. Our bags are packed (except for our travel pack, which I dismantled in order to provide the reading lists), and Kim -- who is set to marry my mother on August 20th -- is meeting us at 1pm tomorrow afternoon to drive us to the airport.

So, I have been asked multiple times by multiple people how my Russian speaking skills are coming along, and I wish I could say they were coming along at all. I have tried to read books on Russian... I have tried to listen to Anna's Russian conversations extra close, but I am constantly reminded that me and foreign languages were just not meant for each other. Anyway, with time (maybe just a little bit of time) I will begin incorporating some Russian into these journals, and maybe into this web site, in general.

August 3rd, 2000 - Moscow

As a matter of fact, there really wasn't much of a "last night." We flew into and out of the darkness in less time than it took to show the main attraction: Runaway Bride. So, why am I writing? Just to let everyone know that everything is alright!

We are safely in the Fatherland (Motherland?) now, where deviants fear to roam.

It is well worth mentioning that Alexandra was wonderful on the plane. She made friends with all of our neighbors... She made them laugh, and coo, and generally behave like a baby. As the star of Aeroflot Flight 642, she was more entertaining that Julia Roberts.

A friend of Anna's from way back, Ullia, met us at the Airport in Moscow. We decided, then and there, that we would go directly to downtown Moscow (specifically: Red Square) during our five hour lay-over. This meant taking a shuttle to the nearest metro station (about a 15 minutes drive), and then transferring to the Moscow metro system, where a train would take us to downtown. Because our flight to Yekaterinburg left out of a different airport than our flight to Moscow, we couldn't leave our bags at the airport, and instead had to carry them all over Moscow. Considering our trip to Russia is estimated to last six weeks, hauling our luggage was no simple feat, especially considering our main bag (24 kilograms or ??? pounds) was falling apart at the seams.

All in all, it took us about 40 minutes to get to coffee shop that was "close" to Red Square. We stopped at the coffee shop because Ullia offered to guard our bags while Anna and I made the forty minute jaunt to Red Square… in the rain.

With that said, the street that we walked along was great! A large European style boulevard, with lots of people walking up, down, across, and under the street. After our five minute tour of the Red Square, we headed back to Ullia and our stuff. Sadly, we have no pictures of this part of the trip (did it really happen?) because we left our camera in our bags with Ullia. However, we do plan to return to Moscow early in September, so pictures of Red Square and the wide Moscow boulevards will surely be made available then.

Not wanting to miss our red-eye flight to Yekaterinburg, we quickly returned to the airport... First using the Metro and than a bus. At the airport, we met up with Anna's uncle, Gennady. He had taken a train from Ukraine to Moscow to meet up with us and fly to Yekaterinburg. He delivered the sad news that Anna's grandmother, Polina, had passed away the night before we began our trip. Because Polina had been in a coma for a week, her death did not come as a shock, but as you can imagine, her death has affected us all. One of the things that Anna has asked me to do while I am in Russia is to interview her family in order to better document Alexandra's Genealogy from her Russian roots. As I do build the Genealogy page, I will keep an extra ear open for stories regarding Polina.

August 4rd, 2000 - Yekaterinburg

After meeting up with Gennady, we caught a red-eye flight to Yekaterinburg. We left at 1:10am Moscow time, and arrived two hours later at 5:10am Yekaterinburg time. Sadly enough, that means that Alexandra lost some more hours off of another night's sleep. As tough as that girl is, it is going to take her some time to recuperate. In Yekaterinburg, Victor, Anna's father, picked us up and brought us home . Anna's mother, Tanya, has been hit pretty hard by the loss of her mother, so Anna spent the morning consoling her while Alexandra and I slept. At 11:00am, the family left for a traditional Russian funeral. Because babies are not allowed at funeral services, Alexandra and I stayed behind. On our first full day in Russia, Alexandra and I stayed home and adjusted. Victor and Tanya have a beautiful apartment in the heart of Yekaterinburg, and Alexandra wasted no time attempting to trash it. Their place has two bedrooms and a large living room with a balcony that overlooks a plaza. Across from the plaza is a movie theater currently showing such classics and "Mission Impossible 2" and "Me, Myself, and Irene." Anna has told me that the Russians don't do subtitles on movies... ever... so if we go out to a movie, I think I will enjoy watching American actors dubbed in Russian. (Anna says the same actor always dubs Arnold Swartzinager, and he has a real sexy voice.)

This evening we -- Victor, Tatiana, Gennady, Anna, Alexandra and I -- took a walk along Lenin Street. (It just so happens that the main street in just about every city in Russia is called Lenin Street.) Being a transportation planner/engineer by profession, I have kept watch of all of the obscure transportation related aspects of Russian cities, and I plan to put them in their own page with time. Nearby "our" apartment, we stopped briefly to listen to a few teenage musicians play a concert to a much larger group of teenagers. This took place on one of the many large landings that overlooks the main river in Yekaterinburg. It is quite a gathering place with hundreds and hundreds of people out on their Sunday night stroll. On the bridge that crosses over the main river is a statue of Lenin (every Lenin St. needs a statue!). Along the river banks there are large steps (large enough to have a picnic on) that successively lead down to the river. Crossing the river below the bridge is another large landing where the local artists gather trying to make money off of the strollers (they paint/sketch portraits...) There are also women who ride around on horses offering rides for a fee. As far as the quality (i.e. smell, look) of the river water, I must say I was not impressed. Rather, it reinforced what is pretty widely accepted in this region which is that you should not drink the water from the tap.

For anyone who has ever traveled in Europe, this probably won't come as much of a surprise, but for the rest of you, let me warn you that cigarette smoke permeates everywhere one travels. However, let's get back to the positives... the wide boulevards. As I was walking, I realized why we don't have any similar streets in the United States. There is very little, if any, money being made in this environment. People just sit on steps, benches, the grass, and talk with friends. There is no real need to buy coffee or dinner to talk on the steps of a large Lenin statue... Or statue of the founders of Yekaterinburg... or the statue of Sverdlov (the man who signed the death warrant of the Tsar family in 1918). The main point being that except for the cigarette manufactures, I can't see many people making back off of a bunch of people enjoying themselves.

Another interesting paradox is how people look compared to their surroundings. The people here dress immaculate. Both the women and the men wear tight clothing. The women looking like Madonna, while the guys resembling Elvis. These people are so into fashion that I even felt compelled to tuck in my shirt and shave (tomorrow). Compare this image of the people to the buildings around them. Many of the buildings look like they are half way on their way tot the ground. I was asking Anna how her parent's apartment could look so beautiful inside, and from the outside appear to be crumbling. My interpretation of her response is interesting...

As part of the privatization in the early 1990s, the Russian government systematically gave the apartments back to the people. So, it became the responsibility of the individuals to fix up their apartments as they saw fit. However, the government kept responsibility over the common areas (stairwells, pluming, outside walls, etc.) so not much is ever done by the cash-strapped government to improve the buildings, although much is promised. A fresh coat of paint would do wonders for many of the buildings, but where to begin?

August 5th and August 6th - The Family Ducha

For those people familiar with my grandparents, Donald and Janon , the easiest way to understand the ducha is to think of their boat. Like Donald and Janon’s boat, the family ducha is somewhere the family spends most weekends – rain or shine – and gets a lot of work done. As far as I can tell most of the time spent at the ducha (at least by Tatiana and Victor) is spent working on the property. Tanya is constantly cleaning, cooking, gardening, cleaning, organizing, cleaning, cleaning… Victor spends his time moving furniture around, building fires, collecting wood, getting fresh water, mending fences, building odds and ends, etc. Generally, neither of them relaxes (which is the stated purpose of visiting the ducha!) except for the hour or so they spend inside the banya beating themselves with tree branches...

After the house is cleaned, and the furniture moved in, we are ready for Tatiana to cook us dinner. As usual, diner this weekend was soup with chicken on the side. After dinner, there is tea and desert. Then Tanya finds some more things to clean, while Victor goes outside and finds something to tinker with. Anna and Alexandra go to sleep while I write in my travel journal.

Ah, I don’t think I have described the banya yet…

From what I can tell, Banyas are very popular in Russia and an integral part of the current Russian culture. To take a banya with someone is to share an experience -- a way of acknowledging a close relationship. At Victor and Tanya’s ducha the banya is set off in its own building about twenty feet from the three room house. The banya consists of its own three small rooms. The first is an entry room. The entry room has a coat rack, two long benches (that can be used for lying down) and a small table (for food and beer). The second room is a washing room. The washing room serves the purpose of storing (and using) the extensive amount of water necessary for a proper banya experience. In this case, fresh water is brought in from a nearby pond on the property. The third room is the sauna. This room has two offset benches (one high, one low) for sitting and/or lying down.

As one would expect, the room gets pretty hot during the banya (As best as I can tell “Banya” is the name of the building, the name of the room, and the name of the experience). The first time I took a banya it was with Victor and Gennady. The men and the women always take separate banyas, and considering that the experience is in the nude, such traditions are probably best for everyone involved.

August 7th through August 11th - Russian Bureaucracy

This first week in Russia was essentially spent dealing with the Russian Government. First, I had to register in the city of Yekaterinburg, and then Anna began the laborious process of registering her passport. Because my journal entries from this period tend to be so sarcastic as to be unpublishable I will instead link you to a little essay I wrote on Russian Bureaucracy … Now for the next weekend...

August 12th and August 13th - The Family Ducha -- Revisited

August 15th - the politechnical university of the urals.

On this day we visited Anna's University that she graduated from in 1995 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. As I am trying to get the best of our photos down without taking too much time writing (for now), I am going to put these up and let the photos speak for themselves.

August 16th - And the Rain Rained Hard

"And the Rain Rained Hard" (Said real slowly...) These lines from a song by Ramblin Jack Elliot return often to my mind here in Yekaterinberg. However, the rain is forgiving in that it only lasts a short while before the sun comes out... which only lasts a short while before the rain returns...

On this Wednesday, Tanya and her boyfriend, Dima, offered to take us (Anna, Alexandra, and Dustin) to the new Amusement Park in Yekaterinberg. Of course we gladly accepted. However, the rain was so bad today, that the sewers were literally overflowing, and it didn't feel wise to leave the relative safety of the automobile (in this case Dima's Toyota Safari). So instead we headed for the highest mountains around so that Dima could show off his vehicle. This Toyota we drove around was pretty cool... it had "pitch" and "roll" meters to show you what angle the car is at... being that he imported it from Japan, the steering wheel was on the right side (from the passenger's perspective, this was not exactly the most comforting aspect to the vehicle as Russian cars tend to zip out of no where, and "expect" you are going to see them.) The mountain that we headed to also doubled as the local ski slopes. Interestingly, the mountains just aren't that high, even though they represent the symbolic barier between Asia and europe. Someone here said the the highest local peak is just over 2000 feet in elevation. Anyway, one of the ways the locals by pass not having any big mountains around is that they have built this massive constructions (shown in the next picture) where skiers can ski down into a big pit. The whole operation looks viciously scary to me, but then again, I'm not Russian.

Anyway, at three o'clock, Dima has to head back to work, so Tanya, Anna, Alexandra and I head home. At home we make up a comprehensive grocery list for the party that is to follow this evening. A group of Anna's University friends (as oppose to her School friends) are coming over to Tanya's for a party in celebration of their five year graduation aniversary. So after a little grocery shopping, we arrive at Tanya's house ready to cook up a Russian feast (Of course there is always time to look at picture!). And when the cooking begins, the whole kitchen goes crazy! and very soon, the guests start arriving with food and able hands, and then the tiny kitchen gets not only crazy, but also packed. I was introduced to one of Anna's friends, Kolia, as he delivered a stuffed doll to Alexandra!

As the Group arrives, the drinking begins (really even before the food, although I tried to hold off as long as possible, knowning the Russians were going to test my American stamina). The next couple of as we become well on our way... and I think the photos show it. Anna told me I had to put the last two up, but if it was just up to me, I probably would have deprived you (the web viewing audience) of such horrible taste!

By some old Russian tradition (I honestly don't remember what or when) Kolia and I became brothers, so from now on he will be referred to as (if I remember) Brother Kolia.

August 19th - Yekaterinburg Day!

I have been hearing from multiple sources that I needed more pictures of Alexandra (the voices in my head are back!). So I am going to skip to August 19th, where the city of Yekaterinburg celebrated its birthday. With news that all of the Russian soldiers have probably died on the submarine meant that many people in the city felt the celebration should be canceled. However, the Russian government was still vague at this point on the fate of the soldiers, so the party went on…

This day we met with a group of Anna’s University friends.

August 20th - Svetta and Syevo

Today we met up with Svetta and her son Syevo.

August 21th - School Friends

On Monday, Anna invited over some of her School friends for an evening of tea and good conversation.

August 23rd - Amusement Park

On Wednesday, we went with Anna's school friends for a day outing at the local amusement park. Our meeting spot was the Titanic -- A local video and music store (The largest in Yekaterinburg I might add). The first two photos were taken ourside of the Titanic while Alexandra and I climbed a tree.

Our first stop at the amusement park was the train ride. This train is pretty cool in that it is mostly run by kids, and everything inside is just like a traditional Russian train, except smaller. (Notice the kid on the far right of the photo... he is a conductor and obviously so, as he is decked out in the appropriate conductor suit!)

Then we went to the top of a Ferris wheel!

Where the views of Yekateriburg were quite impressive!

We ended the amusement park experience by climing on statues and playing frisbee...

August 26th - Tanya's Ducha

Saturday morning (actually afternoon, but hey, were're on vacation) two of anna's cousins came to visit us -- Alexi and Anna. They hung around for a couple of hours as we drank tea and coffee, looked at photos, played with Alexandra, drank some more tea and coffee, listened to music, and discussed Anna big trip to England. She will be studing for a year in England (outside of London) starting this Fall.

At one point while they were here, I was showing them the webcam on Victor's computer, and we took a took at this web site. Alexi took one look at the photo above with me and Anna riding on a bicicle and said, "Wait a minute!" Anna started laughing because she knew I was in trouble. He said, "That's my bike." And a few moments later he asked, "who is on that bike with you, Anna?" To which Anna says "Dustin," and lets him think about it for a minute, before she explains that I put my face over his using a fancy dancy picture program. As you can imagine, I was in trouble...

As I (Dustin) was not feeling all that well on this fine Saturday, Anna, Alexandra and I just hung out around the home until the evening when we left with a group of Anna's University Friends for a trip to Tanya's mother's Ducha. (This Tanya is Anna's Friend, not her mother!).

One of the great Russian characters of this trip has been Alec. Although he speaks next to no English (and I still speak next to no Russian), we managed to bond quite well! From what I have seen, he is pretty good at pouring Vodka, making everyone (who understands Russian) laugh, and playing old russian folk songs. Additionally, is capable of remembering an "Old Russian Tradition" at just about any time.

This Saturday evening, I retired early to bed, while Anna, Alexandra, and her college friends went outside by the river play folk music, make sashliki (shishkabobs), and drink... (Although at one point I did make an appearence as can be seen in the first photo. Regarding the third photo (in the next series)... It was kind of mixed blessing that just about every woman in Russia seems to be named either Tanya or Anya (or some derivative of those names). If you stutter the "T" a little and yell out "T..Anya" you can get a whole room full of women looking at you.

All in all, it was quite a fun weekend spent at a Russian ducha. Granted, a Russian illness was making a larger presence in my throat glands making me miss most of the action. However, as of this weekend, I was still slowly moving into the world of a "Russian Illness." I will say now, in case I publish this without updating further... I did get much worse as far as sicknesses go, although I have recovered, and am doing very well at the moment.

September 1 -- Transportation

September 6 -- moscow.

So, my sickness meant that we couldn't leave for Moscow on the day we had planned but had to postpone it for a few days (this also gave Anna some more time to sort things out with the Russian Passport Agency). However, we did make it to Moscow eventually for a day whirlwind trip through the biggest of the best.

This will sound obscure to most Americans travelers who make it to Moscow, but... Moscow was a breath of fresh air. Sure the water is still undrinkable, and the air is only slightly better than Yekaterinburg's, but the attitude of the people on the streets, lights the city up. Hope is in the air.

Probably due to the large tourist population, Muscovites have learned about the concept of service (imagine that!). When I walk into a store in Moscow, I often get a smile from the cashier! (as oppose to the Yekaterinburg stare that says, "Yeah, I got something you want... Get down on your knees and beg and maybe I will consider selling it to you.") Of course, Aeroflot (the airline I am flying as I write this) is still much more like the Russian government than a private company based in Moscow, but that is another story. Because our flight from Yekaterinburg to Moscow was delayed by seven hours, our time in Moscow was cut from two days to a day and a half... However, we did make the most of our short time available.

The driver who picked us up from the airport was nice enough to give us the scenic tour to our destination -- the apartment of Anna's friends, Ullia and Michael. On our drive, we went through downtown Moscow, past Pushkin Square, and the driver delighted in telling us the history of Moscow as he remembers it. (For example, he became very animated when he discussed waiting in line for hours and hours in order to get a hamburger on the day that the first McDonalds opened.

Our first stop was Michael's home (Ullia was out of town visiting family in Yekaterinburg of all places!). At their apartment we met Lidia, a woman also from Yekaterinburg who was also staying at their apartment while she was trying to a visa for her and her son so that she could work in Germany. She had already worked the previous year in Germany as a computer programmer, and only returned to Moscow to renew her visa AND pick up her son who had been living with her parents for the past year.

After a short break (so that Anna could make the necessary telephone calls) we left for Pushkin Square, where we met up with Michael. As he is the local expert on Moscow history and culture he lead us all (Lidia, Anna, Alexandra, and I) on a tour of Red Square and the surrounding area. After walking around and watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we searched out a good place to eat dinner. We settled on a Ukrainian food where I enjoyed a pot of meat and potatoes.

After dinner, Lidia left for home while Anna, Alexandra, Michael, and I took the Metro to the University of Moscow. On the ride over, we randomly rain into a good friend of Anna's -- Alexander. He quickly changed his plans, and joined us on our adventure. At the University we walked past the massive Stalinist Building to a look our point. From there we were supposedly at the highest point in Russia and most of the historic landmarks were within view.

As it approached midnight, we decided to head home where we could get the appropriate rest necessary for a full day of touristing the next day.

September 7 -- Moscow

The next morning we met up with Alexander, his wife and their one and a half month old daughter at an outdoor museum. the museum consisted of a few Russian Orthodox churches amidst lots ancient (500 year old) oak trees. While the main church was pretty dilapidated, the views of the surrounding area were amazing. After a few hours of strolling, we separated from Alexander and his family, and we headed to Red Square where we visited a historical museum. Like all museums in Moscow, they had a Russian price (20 Rubles or about 65 cents) and a Foreigner price (150 Rubles or about 5 dollars). Just another example where of the Russians trying to squeeze everything they can out of people as oppose to making life pleasant.

The museum had three exhibits. The first looked at the Russian history from pre-history through the Czars. The second exhibit looked into the military history around the time period of Peter I. He is the Czar who is given credit for culturing the peasant Russian population. He traveled extensively through Europe, and took some of the best Europe had to offer in designing the city St. Petersburg. The third exhibit honored one day, June 24, 1945, in Russian history. As this was a day of a mass rally celebrating the World War II victory that is ever at the heart of all older Russians.

After taking in what the museum had to offer, we headed outside (into the rain) for a walk around Moscow. We ended up at the home of the Romonov family before they rose to they rose to become the Czars of Russia over 400 years ago. At their past home, we were able to see how the upper class of Russian society would have lived in the 1600s... and it was very bleak. The men had their very dark rooms where they would entertain their male friends. The women lived on the top floor only leaving their quarters once or twice per year.

After an hour of the Romonovs, we made our way to Arbat Street where we met another friend of Anna's, Colia. We walked down Arbat Street once, bought some souvenirs, and headed, once again, to Pushkin Square to meet with Michael and Lidia.

The group of us walked around downtown Moscow in the rain for a few hours admiring and discussing the architecture among other things. Michael happily pointed out the historical monuments and buildings as we passed them. Then we headed home where (in Russian tradition) the women cooked an excellent dinner and we all drank to help us discus the state of the world.

The next morning, two drivers showed up... One to take Anna and Alexandra to the Domestic Airport so she could head back to Yekaterinburg for a final week, and me, to the International Airport so that I could board a plane for the United States of America.

That successfully ended my story of our Summer of 2000 Family Trip to Russia.

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Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty Granted Permission to Travel for Pink Friday World Tour While on Probation

In July 2022, Petty was sentenced to a year of house arrest and three years of probation for failing to register as a sex offender

Kenneth Petty has been granted permission to travel internationally to support his wife Nicki Minaj on her Pink Friday World Tour while on probation for failing to register as a sex offender.

On Tuesday, April 16, United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald granted Petty, 46, permission to travel internationally from April 17 to July 14, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.

"[Petty] shall keep his probation officer updated with the details of his travel itinerary as needed. At the conclusion of the travel, [Petty] must return to Los Angeles and must check in with his probation officer upon returning," the filing states. "Mr. Petty must also provide an itinerary to his probation officer prior to travel and follow all directives of the probation officer."

Petty's lawyer, Michael Goldstein, told PEOPLE in a statement: “The order granted by the court speaks for itself.”

Petty requested the exception on Monday, April 15 and said it was to "travel out of the country with his family for his wife's tour and her professional purposes."

"[Petty] and [Minaj] believe [Petty] is necessary to accompany the family on the tour for various purposes, including childcare," the filing reads, adding that the travel schedule would include several countries including Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, Switzerland and Romania.

The filing also noted that the Government was notified about the request and took "no position" — and his probation officer had "no objections."

Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock

Minaj, 41, embarked on her Pink Friday World Tour on March 1 in Oakland, Calif.. She is touring in support of her most recent studio album Pink Friday 2 . On Wednesday, April 17, the "Starships" singer was slated to perform in Canada in Montreal, Québec.

Petty's request to travel internationally comes after years of legal trouble. In April 1995, he was convicted of attempted rape  in the first degree for an assault the previous year of a then-16-year-old girl.

He served four years in jail for the assault and was listed as a level two registered sex offender in New York.

Then, he was arrested again in March 2020  because he failed to register as a sex offender when he moved from Miami to California. According to records obtained by PEOPLE, he originally pled guilty and posted $100,000 bail. Then, in September 2021, he pled guilty during a virtual hearing and faced up to 10 years of prison.

In July 2022, Petty  was sentenced  to a year of house arrest and three years of probation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, plus a $55,000 fine.

In January of this year, Petty and Minaj made headlines after fellow rapper  Megan Thee Stallion   allegedly referenced Petty's status as a level 2 sex offender on her track "Hiss." (Minaj and Megan have had an alleged falling out since collaborating on “Hot Girl Summer" in 2019.)

Minaj first sparked marriage rumors with Petty in March 2019. Then, in October of that year, she confirmed she was married woman with an Instagram  post . "Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty 10*21*19," she captioned a video of some "bride" and "groom" swag, also revealing she hyphenated her last name.

In September 2020, PEOPLE confirmed they welcomed their first baby together, a boy.

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