sofasurfers

Now this belonged to two other couchsurfers that my host had corralled from other hosts around the city: Martin and Mikhail from Slovakia and the Czech Republic respectively – and their Skoda, driven all the way from The Czech Republic. The Skoda was our lift up to the fortress (six of us in all, in two shifts). And so, perched atop another guest’s lap, we headed for the fortress, only to be stopped by the notorious Russian police… Not, however, in hot pursuit of some pocket money for them in the form of a speeding bribe, I mean fine (no chance in the Skoda), but, in fact, in hot pursuit of the Skoda itself – which they seemed to think was the most hilarious thing in the world ever. So hilarious that all jumped out of their car to film, photograph and laugh at this antique creature. Now they were off-duty, so it’s completely ok that they were all sideways with beer. (and indeed still drinking it, in plastic pints.

Skoda and couchsurfers: Nikolai, and orange-clad girls (another couchsurfing similarity - I think it must be about being brave enough to wear orange and stay with strangers). The bespectacled one is my host, Natie.

Vladi Police: Off-duty drinking policemen looking and laughing at the Skoda’s rear engine