Nizhny Novgorod took me completely by surprise – the expanse of the Volga and the even greater expanse beyond the riverbank, the completely transformed city with the old centre and the satellite suburbs spread far and wide, the new football stadium and the ‘traditional’, kilometre-long pedestrian zone in the old town… Ruslan came at just the right time: A cook at the yacht harbour, who lovingly looked after me and Oleg, and thoughtfully offered me a ride in his car to the highest point in the city centre, from where I could take a pleasant scooter ride downhill and enjoy the people strolling around!
Of course, he catered for Oleg and me at the yacht club in a totally professional and exceptionally tasty manner – although we were practically the only guests in the marina, he drew from the full and served us his delicacies. My wish: we need more Ruslan, more people with this kind of initiative and attitude. Not only in Russia.