While backpacking around western Europe I got talking to this other traveller about trying to get into Russia. At the time it was not that easy. We went to see a German travel agent and they had a short tour leaving in a couple of weeks. We booked and agreed to meet back in Berlin for this short small organised tour. I did a few side trips then came back to Berlin, My friend showed up but did not have enough money to go. I did not want to miss out on some thing that might be a unique trip.
It was a bit weird me the only single backpacker with this small German speaking tour group. I had no idea what was going most of the time but it was interesting. This Canadian guy married to a German girl used to translate some stuff for me.
At the time they had just released there money onto the free market. They wanted us to pay for everything on the tour in western currency. I also like to adventure out a bit after the touring was done for the day. I was able to find a local money exchange not linked to the hotel or tour and was a able to get a much better deal. I lined up at a few of the State run shops and bought a few tourist things.
