Foreword: Several months ago, I think it was February or March, David and I ran into each other in the hall of the JFSB. We talked for about 2 hours about this internship thing and about going back to Russia. He mentioned that he wanted to go to a town called “Izhevsk”. I personally could have cared less about going there until he said why he wanted to go there. Izhevsk is the home of the AK 47. No more explanation needed. I’m in…
Do you remember when you were a little kid and they told you there was this guy called Santa Clause and how he wanted to bring you presents and you couldn’t wait till he comes? Yeah, it’s kind of like that.
So, a couple of days before the trip (Thursday), we were in the train station checking on prices. There were only a few tickets to get there (for Sunday) and none coming back. We bought the tickets not knowing where we would stay or how we would get home. Things just kind of worked out though.
Sunday 08 July
Me in my cubby hole getting ready for the big 17 hour trainride to Izhevsk
Dave up above meMonday 09 July 2007
Lane, Dave, Aleksandr, Alyona
We made friends with them during the trip to Izhevsk. We had a lot of fun talking, arguing about politics, laughing at jokes etc. By the end of the trip we were all good friends. It turns out that Aleksandr was a cop in Izhevsk he teaches in the police accademy. I told him I would drop his name if cops hassle us while in Izhevsk. He said he'd come bail us out if we had problems.
Me by the Izevsk lake/pond
Izhevsk lake
Old Izhevsk arms factory. Used to make rifles here in the early 20th century
WWII memorial overlooking the Izhevsk Lake
David
Lane
Temple that is being rebuilt after having been demolished during Stalin's regime. Will be done in a couple of weeks.
We walked around the town the first day. Here is a track/soccer stadium that we ran into.
Just picking up some ol' narcotics syringes so the kiddies don't step on them.
Me and Gena (a popular Russian cartoon crocodile) we found Gena in a park. Some girls were cuddling with him but we quickly dispersed them so we could chill wit' Gena.
Oh Miller.....The Kalashnikov museum was closed on Monday so we just wandered around as you can see.
Tuesday 10 July
We were almost to the museum when I decided I couldn't go in there on an empty stomach so we went to this cafeteria. We each ate for about 2 bucks. Hooray for cafeterias
After months of talking, hours of daydreaming, seconds of planning, we had waited out the 1 day in Izhevsk and finally made it to our destination. The Kalashnikov museum.
Me and the AK 47 in the main hallway
Look at that happy face...
Guns
No cute captions,,, just me and a gun
Dave and a gun
Dave in the main hall. We're going down to the basement where we hear there is a shooting range.Shooting range #1 gas powered guns
That's a face you can trust with a gun
BB projector range. One of 2 shooting ranges in the basement of the Kalashnikov museum
Lane shooting AK BB gun.Big boy range, with real guns. (And real price tag for that matter) but hey, we're in Izhevsk
David at the range.
Today David Miller, you have become a man.
Breath out slowly. Pause. Squeeze, don't jerk the trigger. Let the bang of the guns surprise you.One shot, One Kill
Me shooting Dragunov sniper rifle. (Basement of the Kalashnikov museum)
David shooting Dragunov sniper rifle.
David with an AK 47 in Izhevsk
Right now I'd be asking myself one question... do I feel lucky? well... do ya? punk...
Gettin the ol' flex on.
Lane, David and Izhevsk girls at the eternal flame in Izhevsk.
Me, David, and some Izhevsk girls that we met and hung out with on Tuesday in a park by the eternal flame.
Lane and the hunnies.
Dave, Lane, and the Izhevsk girls chillin at the cafe by the Izhevsk lakeWednesday 11 July 2007
The note we wrote to the missionaries for letting us stay at this empty apt. David decided to give them a gift. A little glass mouse and cat that Diana, a girl on the train to Izhevsk gave us.
It was hard to part with those cute little guys. Kinda pulls at the ol' heart strings
"Welcome to Izhevsk"This is the Udmurt history museum and it has an arsenal section with lots of guns too.
Mommy, I want one of these for Christmas...
Me and the guns
Miller by the old rifles
Picture of the Izhevsk train station taken from the train as it is about to leave for Moscow.Thursday 12 July 2007. Back in Moscow.
Statue of Tsar Alexander II in front of the Orthodox temple
Temple of Our Saviour the Redeemer. (Moscow)
A bunch of foreigners in front of the cathedral. (no one allowed who's wearing shorts)
Home again, Home again, after 4 days of adventure to Izhevsk 
