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A white church topped with five golden domes and crosses. Lush pine trees stand to the left of the church against a background of blue sky and white clouds, with fences and vehicles in front.
Church behind the eternal flame, Khabarovsk

2025 Labor Day Trip to Khabarovsk

May 5, 2025 — Travel note
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On the holiday of Labor Day in 2025, I visited Russia for the second time. This time I went to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. In Khabarovsk I encountered kind people and also made a friend, as well as visiting museums and watching people celebrate the Victory Day. In Vladivostok I met previous friends, had a taste of classic Russian cuisine, went to the oceanarium, and also made a new friend.

Why am I using the name “哈巴罗夫斯克” instead of the Chinese name “伯力” as last time visiting Vladivostok and using its Chinese name “海参崴”? I have no idea, to be honest. Maybe because the name “Khabarovsk” sounds more interesting.


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Departure

At the moment I am writing at the Capital International Airport T2. Now is 5

A.M. on May 6, 2025, so it is not actually the Labor Day holiday anymore. I woke up at 3 A.M. in the morning, couldn’t sleep well. On this trip I will go to Khabarovsk. But the flight-ticket from Beijing to Khabarovsk is not cost-effective and I’ve decided to fly to Vladivostok firstly and take a train to Khabarovsk. Роман had already helped me purchase train tickets online. I will be living in Khabarovsk on May 7, 8, and 9, then spend the time on May 10, 11, and 12 in Vladivostok. An aunt just dropped a coin. It reminds me of the experience where I also picked a coin on the street of Vladivostok. But the difference is, I knew exactly who dropped the coin this time and I also returned the coin in time. “Здравствуйте, you dropped this.” She didn’t know English, but that was as far as I could speak.

05-06 Arrived at Vladivostok, heading to Khabarovsk

On the flight from Beijing to Vladivostok, on my left was a couple. The woman sat next to me. I passed them gum. The woman folded a boat out of gum wrapper. During the time remaining, the man was playing Scrabble and the women was reading an e-book.

We landed at airport VVO. Actually, it is the city Artyom which surrounded the airport. It think it might be considered a low-level city of Vladivostok. I almost missed the train to the downtown because of the language barrier. On the train, I passed the gum to the people near me for another time. An Asian-looking guy gave me a mushroom pie. I got off at the destination, immediately looking for luggage storage. A staff at the station heard I was from Harbin, praising Harbin for its beauty. And I said to him that Vladivostok is also beautiful. The luggage storage required a bank card, so I had to wait for the T-Bank agent on the square. The square was being decorated for the Victory Day. On the square I saw a couple wearing military uniforms (which looked like sailor uniforms) walking hand in hand. In the end, I got the bank card without problems, and I headed to the luggage storage again. During the walk I encountered a Chinese guy using Xiaomi 15 Pro, found that we all took the same flight and the same train. When I was walking along the street, I was attempting to read the signs and slogans. “EXHIBITION”, I was halfway reading it when I realized it was a word in English. Arrived at the station and tried to store my luggage, however, still no luck because I could’t use the Fast Payment System. So I had no choice but to wait for the train in the station. When confirming the train number, the uncle I asked told me that I came here with the wrong carriage number. I knew, I just wanted to check if the train number was correct. After that, I went to the correct carriage at the tail. The uncle was worried and came to confirm with me.

Seatmates on the train was playing a song I like which was “Звенит январская вьюга”. I knew this song because of Atomic Heart.

And I was also taken good care by people. One of these people was Евгений (Yevgeny), the other two were aunts on the beds next to me. The aunts were eating bread and drinking beverage. The setting sun was shining on an aunt’s face, outlining a golden outline, and the drink was shimmering. Евгений came to talk to me, but he didn’t really know how to use a translator. After dozens of rounds I finally understood that he wanted to go to buy some beer with me when the train stops at Ussuriysk. But the stop was short and wasn’t enough. We came back with empty hands. I felt exhausted and fell asleep on the table. Then I was woken up by them. They were saying sentences I didn’t understand. So they asked me to stand up, and started to put the bed for me. The bed where I rested was foldable. If you fold it, it becomes a table. That was the table I was sleeping on. Actually I knew how to use it, I was just lack of sleep and directly fell asleep on the table without expanding it. To express my appreciation, I gave the aunts apples. However, the aunts invited me to their bed and treated me with foods. Breads, eggs, cheese, and Chocolate-filled pastries. They also poured me beverage. Later, I learned that they just came back from China. They had fun for ten days in places such as Yanji, Dunhua, Bohai, Hunchun.

The exterior of a modern building dominated by a blue glass curtain wall. A few people are walking near the entrance under a clear sky on a spacious ground.
A bus timetable with a yellow background posted on a transparent glass pane. The table details departure times for different routes, against a background of outdoor lawn and distant mountains.
A church with golden domes situated in the center of a square, fronted by red flags. There is a statue to the left of the church and promotional billboards to the right, with pedestrians and vehicles on the square.
Several military armored vehicles parked on a square, surrounded by fences. Numerous pigeons are on the ground, and people are walking beside the vehicles against a background of multi-story buildings and red flags.
A street lined with classical-style buildings decorated with red banners that read '9 мая', with cars and buses driving on the road and neatly arranged windows on the facades.
Interior of a train carriage, where railway tracks and a multi-story parking lot are visible outside the window. A blue bag and a water bottle are placed by the window, and luggage racks and seats are inside.
An industrial area scene featuring two tall red-and-white striped chimneys, with a road and parked vehicles in the foreground, and trees alongside high-rise residential buildings in the background.
The setting sun is slowly going down outside the window, painting the sky in orange-red. Inside the compartment, a person sits sideways in front of a bottle of drink and a branded shopping bag, while someone lies on the opposite berth with some belongings nearby.

05-07 Lenin Square, City Ponds, Museum of the History of the City, “The World of Talking Machines”, Khabarovsk Cliffs, playground

I arrived at Khabarovsk in the morning. The hostel was called “Orion”. And the aunt at the front desk was always kind to me with her smile. I went to a nearby small supermarket to buy some food and water, and went to the “Eight-Minute Canteen” for breakfast. Ordered a “white cube”, thinking it was cheese, egg, or salad. Turned out to be liver. It was a good way to taste how Russians cook liver. It tasted good, maybe a little bloody from the liver itself.

After breakfast, I started walking towards Lenin Square. While walking along the street, I waved to the aunt driver in the tram. A woman wearing military uniform passed by me from behind. I didn’t dare to take a photo. Eventually I found that on Lenin Square there was a rehearsal for the Victory Day, and streets were blocked. I took a photo of a resting military dog, spotted by the soldier nearby. He went to me to ask for the photo of him. I told him embarrassedly that I only shot the dog because I felt it impolite to take photos of the soldiers. I walked along the edge of the square and was asked by another soldier, that how much I had spent on the camera. And I started walking towards the Khabarovsk City Pond. There was a man in military uniform guarding the road every few meters. I went to the Museum of the History of the City of Khabarovsk after visiting the pond. The saleswoman was kind and enthusiastic. They kindly guided me through the museum. At here I saw pictures of Harbin, because Harbin is a friendly city of Khabarovsk.

There was a television model which was actually a monitor connected to a PC playing “Soley Soley” in a room with retro decor on the second floor.

Though the neighborhood surrounded by Khrushchev buildings, walking along the street, I arrived at the position of T-34 tank.

After that, I called a cab to “The World of Talking Machines” museum. However, only after I arrived there I found it need an appointment in advance. And I still could not use the Fast Payment System. Luckily, I was allowed to have a tour with those who had made appointment. The tour guide Юлия told us the history of audio playback equipments in a vivid and humorous way. Through the translator I understood some of the content, for example, the so-called “патефон” which looked like a phonograph, the story behind the photo “His Master’s Voice”, the bricks in the Far East using Chinese clay, X-ray records, ads on the wrappers of records in from USSR, records published as a journal…

In a room on the second floor, Юлия introduced us the singer Africa Simone and then played his “Hafanana”.

I left the museum and walked to the eternal fire and the church near it by myself. And then I walked all the way to the Khabarovsk Dormition Cathedral and the Khabarovsk Cliffs. I encountered a couple taking photos with their child in the park covering the cliff. The husband asked me if I wanted to visit the cliff and pointed out the route. At the playground below the cliff I knew some young guy. They were called Джоджи (George), Aidan, and Shaw. Aidan took us on a pirate ship, bumper cars and a circular ride. The amplitude was quite large. I hadn’t done these projects for a long time, and I couldn’t help but shout out with excitement. Aidan told me these are Russian entertainments. Hardcore, I commented. And then he led us to an Asian restaurant. Aidan and I both ordered the bibimbap and kimchi cocktail. The bibimbap was delicious, and the kimchi cocktail was salty. During this trip I was so fortunate, everyone was so kind and enthusiastic to me. Now I am writing things down in the hostel, finishing the missing part of yesterday’s experience, not knowing what I’m gonna meet in the future.

The top of a multi-story building showing some ventilation ducts and guardrails. The building's exterior walls are light-colored with multiple windows, under a sky with a few white clouds, partially obscured by tree branches.
A street lined with multi-story buildings adorned with billboards and signs. Vehicles are driving on the road with traffic signs visible, under a sky with a few white clouds and crisscrossing power lines.
A complex metal electricity tower structure with multiple power lines extending from it. The sky is clear and the bright sun illuminates the tower and surrounding buildings, whose windows reflect the sunlight.
Two high-rise buildings forming a U-shaped structure, featuring grey tiled exterior walls and numerous windows. A few trees with sparse leaves stand between the buildings under a sky with several white clouds.
A tank monument stands atop a flower bed, with the tank's barrel pointing towards the sky. The monument is surrounded by several tall pine trees with dense foliage, against a background of a building with bright windows.
A white church topped with five golden domes and crosses. Lush pine trees stand to the left of the church against a background of blue sky and white clouds, with fences and vehicles in front.
A church with golden domes and a blue roof stands under a blue sky. The front facade features multiple arched windows and decorative pillars, with people walking on the square ahead.
A sandy beach next to a river, featuring pedestrians and facilities. High-rise buildings and a golden-domed church can be seen in the distance under a sky with a few white clouds.
An old high-rise building with a grey facade and neatly arranged windows. Multiple billboards are mounted on the building, with a street full of parked vehicles in the foreground and many people walking by.
A cup of tea, a croissant, and a slice of cake served on a tray. The tea cup is transparent, the croissant is golden brown, and the cake is decorated with cream and orange slices. The brown tray is placed on a white table.
An vintage television set inside a room, with the screen showing a person singing. The TV is placed on a stand covered with a grey cloth cover, fronted by a patterned carpet, with bookshelves, a sewing machine, and other furniture in the background.
A gramophone with a wooden casing placed on a cabinet, with a hand operating it. The gramophone has a retro design and features a metal horn, with other similar equipment and decorations in the background.
Two people standing in front of a vintage television set covered with a white lace cloth. Two black-and-white photos hang above the TV next to a small figurine, against a red wall adorned with some posters.
Four people posing together for a group photo, with three of them flashing peace signs, against a background of pillars and the sky.
A bowl of food containing fried eggs, vegetables, and meat on a table, with several glasses of drinks nearby, one of which has a straw. Chopsticks are placed on the bottom-left corner of the table.

05-08 Pacific National University, abandoned tower

At the beginning of today I went to Pacific National University. When I arrived I found it totally different from what I had imagined. It was an old school with broken ground and old athletic field facilities. Some infrastructure may from USSR. It felt absolutely different from Far Eastern Federal University. However, that made me like here even much. On the street in Russia I can find a lot of beautiful girls but I couldn’t dare to take even one photo. I only take photos of old buildings, Khrushcheves. And here are a lot of old buildings, ones across the road even without window glasses. There is a man with his daughter riding on the athletic field. The daughter seemed at the beginning of learning riding. She looked scared and she cried. The man couldn’t comfort her so he rode a few rounds on his own and left the athletic field with his daughter. Later there was a man, probably a music teacher, coming to the field with a group of young people to practice singing. They performed a lot, and didn’t finish before I left there. At the time it was raining, and I just sat on the bench next to a tree watching them singing. They performed a lot, but I only knew “Katyusha”.

As planned, I went to see the Khabarovsk bridge and the Amur River (Heilongjiang). There was a perfect spot on the Google Map and Yandex Map, an abandoned tower. However, when I came there, it was blocked. There was a sign saying words like “This is private property, no entry, there are cameras.”. The fences were newly installed because there was a photos shot on the top uploaded three days ago. Luckily the fences didn’t block it completely. I could get in there on the right side across a short edge. I looked around, didn’t find any camera, nor did I find any wire. So I went directly towards the tower. The tower was about three floors in height, with graffiti and messages. On the tower I took a lot of phots and videos, and stayed there for a long time. During the visit I encountered another person wearing blue. He was recording below me, and we chatted a little using English. Maybe because I stayed too long, I was spotted. Four people came to the tower. I heard the noise and looked down. They were young, so I thought they came here to have a great view or to explore, just like me. I smiled to them naively, only to find out they came to “catch” me. However, they didn’t blame me, nor did they fine me or call the police, they just asked me how I came up here, where did I come from, did I see anybody else. I explained I saw a guy in blue earlier. Of course he had sneaked away already. They drove here two vehicles. The woman opened the gate for me. Apparently they were the people who managed here. The woman told me this place is dangerous. We said goodbye to each other, and the woman made a gesture meaning I was naughty, she won’t blame me this time, telling me to behave myself, then drove away.

It was enough to me anyway, so I just walked along the road leaving there. A girl in pink, looking no older than 10, rode on her bike to me. She saw me walking along, asked me where I wanted to go. I said I would go back to the hostel. She told me buses come here. I showed her the Yandex Go app, explaining I would call a cab and no need to worry. She then told me a taxi brand, and the price for a person is about 500 rubles. I expressed my appreciation, said goodbye, then she ride away. It actually took me only 318 rubles on the way back. I have a bank card now, even though for the reason I don’t understand I still cannot use the Fast Payment System, I can transfer money directly to the driver and don’t have to worry about losing a large amount of cash.

However usually I have to get down to squeeze through the space below the gate to reach the hostel because the hostel is located in an apartment complex. Today I asked two children for help. They seemed to tell me that they couldn’t open the gate from inside as well. So they climbed across the fence with spikes on it, showed me the way to another gate. There happened to be a person passing through so I made my way back.

An uncle who booked the bed opposite mine greeted to me, saying his name is Айдар.

It’s only half past twenty, and the sky is just beginning to turn dark. I still can go out and have some fun.

I spent some time by myself at the bar called Чилл Хаус. Ordered two glasses of Germany beer, chatting with Aidan and a friend from Blagoveshchensk called Вика, watching people at other tables smoking hookah, watching a film, or playing GTA V. The waiter was very kind and waited patiently for me to use the translator.

A green lawn dotted with small yellow flowers. Behind the lawn is a fenced tennis court where several people are active, with some buildings and trees visible in the background.
An open area with several worn-out benches in the foreground. Behind the benches is a lawn and a chain-link fence, with some utility poles and buildings visible in the distance.
A multi-story building complex with trees and bushes behind it, fronted by a lawn. The buildings feature colorful exterior walls and neatly arranged windows under a cloudy yet well-lit sky.
A green lawn dotted with small yellow flowers and scattered with a few trees. In the background stands a building with light-colored exterior walls, and there are two white objects on the grass, possibly paper or plastic bags.
Several people walking along a park path flanked by trees and lawns. In the distance, some people can be seen standing next to a metal frame, against a background of buildings and open fields.
A rusty football goalpost stands on a patch of dried grass. In the background is a blue building with two red doors, with trees and the sky visible in the distance.
A white brick wall covered in colorful and intricate graffiti, featuring numerous letters, symbols, and simple shapes. The wall is partially damaged, exposing the texture of the bricks.
Large cartoon graffiti depicting a character wearing a red headscarf is painted on the ruins of an abandoned building. The red brick walls and concrete structure are clearly visible, with a distant cityscape and a river seen through the gap.
A long bridge with multiple lanes spans across a wide river, with vehicles driving on it. The bridge is equipped with streetlights and guardrails on both sides, with flat terrain and some vegetation visible in the distance.
High-voltage power towers and multiple power lines stretch across a blue sky with white clouds, flanked by trees. The tower structure is complex and the wires are neatly arranged, with sparse clouds in the distant sky.
A road running through an industrial area, lined with buildings and fences on both sides. Two dogs are on the road, with more buildings and green plants in the background.
A white brick wall inscribed with the repeating text 'https://his2nd.life May 8, 2025 Bian Yukun', surrounded by red and black graffiti patterns.
A glass of golden beer with foam on top placed on a tabletop. Menus and other tableware are visible in the background, and the glass reflects the surrounding light.

05-09 Victory Day celebration

Today people are celebrating the Victory Day on the Lennin Square, and this is my first time to attend such an event. I found there was no network on my phone, so I could’nt use Yandex Go or speech recognition. I had to run to the square. It actually begins at ten, and I arrived there around nine, so I got a position in the front. Unfortunately, the view was still blocked. However, I brought a portable tripod, with its middle pillar removable as a selfie stick, so my phone had a better view than me. There were kids riding on parent’s necks. I also found a lot of people bringing boards with photos with them. I though they were heroes’ relatives. Вика later told me that this was the Immortal Regiment. The content of the ceremony was either too far from me or was blocked by people in front of me. However, our side was closest to the cannon, so the noise was very loud when the cannon was set off, which was a bit scary.

After the ceremony I bought a belt, then came to the City Pond. A location was set up where people could pick up free food. But the lines were long. I found a booth selling Russian skewers with bread, onion, and sauce. Each skewer is 300 rubles. I bought a serve. However, due to offline I could not use the translator, there was some problem with the conversation, resulted in me buying two skewers and being charged 600 rubles. These pieces of meat was quite big and each piece could fill my mouth. The spices and salt were heavy, and there was also some grease, so I got tired of it before I could finish one skewer. I felt a little nauseous after eating them all, but it was really enjoyable to chew the meat in my mouth. Later, there was performance in the park. I watched for a while and started going back to the hostel.

The aunt at the front desk smiled at me, telling me here came two friends. I was told later that they both studies in Vladivostok, and one of them lived in Jiangbei, Harbin. I picked some photos, slept for a while and wrote some words in the post. However, the content I am writing now was not written at that time. Currently I am on the train. The aunt made me a cup of tea with three blocks of sugar, and then brought me a snack, saying it was a gift. The television was broadcasting Victory Day live. There was still some time before the official start. It was the interview then. I took a shower, bought water and cookies. It was raining. The same guy from last night when I came back from the bar opened the gate for me. Went back to the room, packed things up, and left. I told the aunt, they (the aunts) had been nice to me, and I really liked this hostel, and the city Khabarovsk. Also I also told her that I made friends here, and I might come back in the future and would choose to stay at here again. We hugged. She told me how to get to the station with care, even though I didn’t understand.

Aidan said they were coming to see me off. But I actually arrived later than I told him. Aidan and George came to say hello. They brought me a bag with an umbrella and snacks. These are a gift to me. They came to see me off in the rain, held the umbrella for me and watered themselves, talked to the train staff, and helped me find the place. We hugged and said goodbye. I was so happy, however the happiness is always short-lived, I had to leave before I feel it’s enough, so I was a little sad. Until I found the red envelope in the bag. Inside it, it was our photo with the text “We will remember and love Yukun”. It was like the moment when I was drinking lonely on the square in Vladivostok, and the caring aunts came to talk to me. I feel sad no more.

It’s 22:42, and I am lying on the bed. Евгений, the aunts on the train, the staff who took care of me on the train, the hotel owner, my friends who played with me in the playground and came to see me off at the end, the waiter in the bar… These people together made up my wonderful experience in Khabarovsk. Tomorrow I’ll be in Vladivostok and see my older friend Роман.

A large number of military personnel lined up on a square, with a fountain and spectators in front, against a background of red buildings and green trees. Some spectators wear black coats, while others wear white hats.
A person in the crowd holds a red flag aloft, featuring a hammer and sickle design, against a background of tall buildings and bare trees, with pedestrians wearing various coats.
A child in a red coat sits on an adult's shoulders amidst a dense crowd. High-rise buildings and vehicles are in the background, and a woman wearing sunglasses smiles.
A group of military personnel in blue uniforms marching while holding flags and rifles, with a military truck and a fountain in the background. Spectators behind the guardrails film the scene with their phones.
A military band marching, with members wearing dark uniforms and caps, fronted by two personnel in green military uniforms, against a background of city buildings and trees.
An elderly man in military uniform sits on a bench, with a woman in a blue coat standing beside him. A display board with photos and text stands in front of the elderly man, with amusement rides and pedestrians in the background.
A massive inflatable bear sculpture situated on a lawn, wearing a blue hat with a red star and white clothing, with several people standing around watching against a background of trees, cars, and buildings.
An orange-and-black striped St. George's ribbon and a red star medal pinned onto a light-colored jacket. The jacket has a blue lining and a brand label at the collar.
Chunks of grilled meat, a small bun, and a red sauce served in a white foam container, with a white plastic fork placed on top.
A transparent glass cup and a white plate placed on a table with a crocodile skin texture. The cup contains tea and is printed with the text 'COFFEE MAXIMUS Gold FREEZE-DRIED', while the plate holds a doughnut dusted with powdered sugar.
A hotel television broadcasting the military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, showing a group photo of national leaders on screen.
A photograph featuring four people all flashing peace signs, with the text 'We will remember and love Yukun' written below. The photograph is decorated with a red border and blue star patterns, with part of a building structure visible in the background.

05-10 Off-road track, beach, viewpoint, Hans restaurant and Moonshine bar, getting a new name

Today I arrived at Vladivostok, and the weather was awful. Роман drove Даня (Daniya) and me to visit various tourist attractions. We had planned to go to an off-road track outside the city. Роман said it was a men’s activity and Юлия was not interested so she didn’t come. Even though I’ve made preparations in advance, I still got my shoes covered with mud at the off-road track. We took photos, didn’t stay long. And the we went to the most popular beach in summer. At there my shoes got wet. Then, the glass beach. It would be beautiful if it was a sunny day. However, it was raining today, the rain soaked the glasses, which was also very beautiful. It was forbidden to collect the glasses there, but I still stole one. At last, he drove me to an observation deck on the mountain. I was able to see Vladivostok in all directions. However, it was windy and could. Даня was naughty, running around. When he ran far away, Роман would say “Пока пока.”. Роман drove me back to the hostel, telling me he would go back to the home, change clothes and then deal with work matters. He would see me again in the evening. I was brushing my shoes in the hostel.

My shoes were not dry yet, but at the agreed time in the evening, I put on my slippers and went to the Hans restaurant that Роман had booked. The Hans here did not serve buffet but a la carte. Together with Вова (Vova, I called him Volod last year.) and Даша (Dasha). Вова the “boss friend”, manages multiple assets in Russia. Юлия was taking care of Даня so she didn’t come. We had the sausage platter with sauerkraut and broccoli, fried fish, creamed mussels and fried brown bread. And then came Сергей (Sergey) and Кристина (Christina). Сергей is a firefighter and Кристина runs a real estate business in Thailand. Максим also came here. I told Максим he looked more handsome than the last time we met in Suifenhe. Вова explained to me he just had his hair cut. We talked something interesting, for example, Chinese people have a stereotype that Russians drink a lot, and if they run out of alcohol, they start drinking antifreeze. “Правда.” said Вова. If they ran out of alcohol, they were going to drink my lens cleaning paper. And also, we talked other things such as mortgages, a better life-style, and my Squidward-like outfit. They also taught me Russian expressions such as “пекинской” for Chinese Cabbage, “Хорошо сидим.” when the party is holding well. When the party is holding well, I can also say “заебись”, but it is not a good word. I didn’t understand, and when Роман tried explaining to me he mentioned “操你妈”, which made me laugh for minutes. I then explained to him what does it mean, that it refers to someones’s mother but not actually refers to her at the same time. Before leaving, the last shot is called “на посошок”. And when I need a little drink I should say “накапать”. Кристина asked me if I had tried Borscht before. I said no, but we have something similar in Harbin, called “苏伯汤”, with tomatoes instead of beets. So they ordered it for me. The flavor was rich and delicious. I also had a taste of marinated pork. They told me, in Russia, there is a soup called “щи” and there is a saying about it “щи is enough to wash your penis.”. It‘s hard to explain, just meaning there is nothing in this soup. I also explained to them the names of some Northeastern dishes, how to use the Chinese input method, and I learned that Максим studied Chinese at university. In Russia, people say toasts when they drink. And the one who recently comes would immediately say a toast. Роман told me a common one is “For a strong penis and money.”. Кристина wished everyone had dry feet. I wished us always in a mood to pursue our dreams. And also there was “Pray for those who are no longer with us.”, however, this time we didn’t cheer because it was for those who had passed away. And “Спасибо деду за победу.”—“Thanks to grandpa for the victory.”. “For the relationship between Russia and China.” And more… At the meal they gave me a Russian name “Юра” coming from my Chinese name “Юкун”.

I heard a song that was somewhat familiar coming from the second floor, and I asked Роман. It was “Матушка”.

After the meal at Hans, Роман waited for me to change into more suitable pants and shoes at the hostel. Then we went to the Moonshine bar. I met Максим‘s wife and her younger sister Вероника. Next to Вероника there was another woman but I don‘t know who she was. Вова told me they might have a “Russian bath” tomorrow, a traditional Russian activity, which looks like a sauna on the sea, and I could join in.

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Dark Dreams strip club

“Vodka Hunter” and “Strip Club Hunter” Максим asked if I was willing to go to a strip club. I didn‘t successfully come into one last year, and today I had another chance so I said yes. Даша and Вова drove Максим, Роман, and me to a strip club called Dark Dreams. It was also Роман‘s first time to get into such a place. He was just here to accompany me. There were a lot of people, noisy. Also a lot of girls, some in underwear, some half naked, some fully naked, dancing in the pool or on the desk, or walking around looking for a customer, or sitting on a man‘s leg or lying in his arms flirting. They all wore very high heels, so almost all of them were taller than me. Максим and Роман wanted to introduce me to a seven-minute private dance, so they found a girl wearing black. I asked Максим about the price. About 3000 rubles. They persuaded me many times, and the girl also flirted with me many times, and even took my hand and touched her upper breast. But I was unmoved… They thought I thought it was too expensive and wanted to pay me, but I interrupted them. To be honest I was just too nervious, had no idea what to do. Although there were plenty beautiful girls, and I were also looking around, but there was no sexual arousal at all. Even when the girl put my hand on her upper breast. At that moment I had only one thought: I had to be responsible to my future girlfriend who might not like such activity, so I shouldn‘t do it. Later the girl left angrily. Максим, Роман, and I just sat on the back of the sofa. They didn‘t understand why I would not watch the private dance at all. After that when we were leaving, I told them the reasons. Actually I didn‘t understand either, wouldn‘t their wives be angry knowing they came here with me? Максим said she would, but it was none of my business. Роман also told me later that Юлия was a liitle angry. My friends wanted me to enjoy the private dance, however, I kept hesitating and didn‘t agree, so we spent nearly an hour standing there, and Максим even paid for the drinks. Actually I was also very conflicted. Now it‘s the next day and I am sober. Thinking back, I was a litlle stupid. I don‘t even know which species my future girlfriend will be, what was I worrying about? However, if I have to make the decision again right now, I will still be conflicted becase I will still be nervious.

Two people wearing blue raincoats walking on a lawn, surrounded by tall dry grass. A few people are active on the grass in the distance, with trees and a vehicle in the background under an overcast sky.
A large airplane parked on a dirt slope, with the fuselage marked with 'VLADIVOSTOK AIR'. Flags and billboards stand in front of the airplane, with some trees in the background on the relatively flat dirt ground.
Two adults and a child standing together, each holding a gun. The person on the left wears a blue coat, and the person on the right wears a white coat and a helmet, against a background of a river and trees.
A pile of glass fragments and pebbles in rich colors, including blue, green, brown, and transparent. The fragments are irregularly shaped with smooth surfaces, mixed together with the pebbles.
A bird's-eye view of a cityscape, with a wooden fence in the foreground and a dense cluster of buildings and a river in the background. Bridges span across the river, and both shores are lined with high-rise buildings and cranes under a cloudy sky.
Three people standing together on a street, with a man and a woman in the middle, and a man on the right with his back to the camera. They wear black coats on a wet street lined with string lights against a background of brick buildings.
A variety of drinks and food arranged on a dining table, with a bottle labeled 'ХАСКИ' in the center, flanked by canned drinks and a bowl of salad. Empty glasses and ice cubes are on the table, and several people sit around with various hand gestures.
A pot of red soup served in a black pot on a dining table, accompanied by sliced onions and seasonings, with side ingredients in small bowls nearby. A paper menu lists various drink prices.
Three people sitting at a dining table; the person in the middle wears a green coat over a blue inner top, holding a glass of transparent drink. The person on the left wears a white short-sleeved shirt, and the person on the right wears a patterned white T-shirt. Food, drinks, and tableware are placed on the table, with bottles and decorative flags in the background.
Multiple people gathered around a dining table inside a restaurant, with transparent glasses and menus placed on the table. A man is putting a lemon slice into a glass while several women sit opposite him, within a modern interior under warm lighting.

05-11 Oceanarium on the Russkiy Island, another visit to FEFU

I was scheduled to meet with an elementary school teacher today who I met on HelloTalk. But she was not in Vladivostok. So I slept and took a shower in the morning. I sent my apology to Юлия. The “Russian bath” was also cancelled because it was not free.

This time I visited the Oceanarium on the Russkiy Island, and paid another visit to Far Eastern Federal University. I went to the side where the main entrance is located. There was even a waterfall on that side.

In the evening I took photos of the bridge for another time. This time the sky was clear though.

Unlike last time, this time I stayed at Hotel Hot Place instead of Glubina because Glubina had no more places. I still prefer Glubina.

A modern building featuring a wavy blue roof and a glass curtain wall, with a few people walking on the square in front. The building entrance has a large spherical structure, surrounded by some planted trees, and the square ground is designed with curved patterns and stone decorations.
A cross-sea bridge visible in the distance, connecting the cityscapes on both shores, with trees and some buildings in the foreground over calm water under a clear, open sky.
A square paved with large stone bricks, with a tall flagpole standing in the center flying the Russian national flag. The capital letters 'ДВФУ' are inscribed on the square ground, surrounded by green plants and trees, with the cross-sea bridge and city skyline visible in the distance.
A fountain located in the center of a body of water, shooting water columns upward to form beautiful splashes, surrounded by dense trees with leaves of various colors, and a few low-rise buildings visible in the distance.
A city bridge brilliantly illuminated at night, with light trails left by moving vehicles. The bridge features a cable-stayed design with towering pylons, against a background of distant city lights and mountain contours.
An illustrative diagram of various microbial structures against a fluorescent green background, including helical, star-shaped, and chain-like forms. Each structure is highlighted in a different color to create contrast.
Numerous purple jellyfish floating in the water inside an aquarium under purple-toned lighting, displaying various shapes and sizes. Part of a person wearing light-colored clothing is visible on the left, as the jellyfish move slowly through the water.

05-12 Pizza shop, another observation deck, reptile house, “Going Home”

Today I went to see another Вика. She is the third Вика I mentioned in this post. Honestly I don’t know if she would let others call her Вика. I know a Russian name may correspond to multiple nicknames, and multiple names may correspond to one nickname, and nickname is usually for close people. However, for the name Виктория I only know the name Вика, so I’ll just call her Вика for now. She looked cool in the photos, and she is cool. However when I actually met her, she was dressed differently, looked cute, and her voice was softer than I had thought.

Her birthday is March 2, so she is only more than half a year older than me. She likes reptiles, and has snakes and spiders at home. She currently works in a gym because she likes to climb high and has strength and a good sense of balance.

We met in front of the Museum of the History of the Far East. She invited me to a pizza shop across the street. When heading to the museum, in the underground passage I encounted my buddies from the Orion hostel. They just arrived at the station preparing to have a fast food meal. That was the first suprise in this cold morning. On the bench I waited for Вика. I brought her two boxes of Daoxiangcun snacks. She gave me Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment and breads made by her grandmother. She said the book was very precious to her because it had accompanied her through her school days, and she then gave the book to her younger brother, who also took it to school. She said Russians thought books are the best presents. I once asked her, were she really going to give such a precious item? She answered yes. Because she is going to be married, (On May 28, if I recall correctly. And her mother still doesn’t know about this, not even about her fiancé.) she is planning to move to Moscow or Saint Petersburg with her future husband. She can’t bring many precious items with her, including her pets. Actually she was not born here, but in Горные Ключи which is 350 kilometers away from here.

We went to some observation deck on the mountain. There was a water tower, two swings, and a cross. She showed me her home opposite the swing. However, she is going to move to another place today. White mist enveloped the building and the air was moist and cool. On the swing she swung so high and I accidenttaly swung my shoes off because I had drunkenly laced them up last night before going to the bar. She climbed on the fence proficiently while I was clumsy. Going up, she invited me to have a taste of her mashed potatoes and chicken with carrots. They were good, so I praised her for her good cooking skills. She knew the difference between Chinese and Russians: when being praised, Chinese would say: “哪里哪里。” (“So-so.”), and Russians would express gratitude. Again, she climbed quickly towards the cross on the rocks and the peak of the mountain. I had to use both my hands and feet carefully. And when I climbed over the obstacles, she had already been waiting on the next spot. We took photos on the top. The breeze brought mist, refreshing, in distance the bridge was shrouded in the mist. When we were going down, she told me once she played Chinese chess with her Chinese firends, they praised her as a good chess player. Well, I don’t know how to play Chinese chess at all, so to me she is absolutely a good chess player. We waited for the cab. She tried to find a clover with four leaves. To be honest, I didn’t know if they were clovers. She also showed me how to use my thumb to “launch” the “bud” of a certain plant and asked me to try it.

We arrived at the reptile house she used to work at. She didn’t bring her bank card because she lost it once before and didn’t want to lose it again. And I told her, in China, we also don’t carry bank cards often because of the online payment system. On the way, we passed her former school, Vladivostok State University, and her brother’s school, where a lot of people were gathered. She showed me a photo of her and her younger brother, as well as a photo displaying a tattoo of her ex-boyfriend’s name on her heel so she could step on him every time she walked. (After a few months, now I know it was just an interesting joke, and the tattoo had disappeared.) At the reptile house I saw an animal that I had never seen before — A “lizard” without feet. I taught her words such as “蜥蜴” (lizard), “游泳” (swimming), and “交通堵塞” (traffic jam). And I learned “пиздец” from her.

Time to say goodbye. She had to prepare for the move, and I had to go to the airport. Today’s experience has made me pleased, so I said to her “You made my day.”, telling her we could meet in Moscow or Saint Petersburg in the future.

I will go back to Beijing and live on my own for some days, so I didn’t buy any gifts. I have been eating cookies these days and I’m enough of them. Moreover, after meeting with Вика, I fell down on the road while rushing to the hostel, scraping my hand and even my arm through my clothes, so I can be considered to have brought back some “local” specialties. When I arrived in China, I felt for the first time at Capital Airport T3 how big this airport was. I even had to take a train to travel between different areas.

A cityscape with a balanced mix of high-rise buildings and low-rise structures, with a river in the middle featuring bridges and vessels. The distant buildings are shrouded in thin mist under an overcast sky, with green vegetation along both shores of the river.
A residential area with neatly arranged multi-story buildings featuring colorful exterior walls. Roads and green belts run between the buildings, with vehicles driving on the roads under a sky filled with heavy fog, resulting in low visibility.
Two people smiling and taking a selfie from a high vantage point, with the cityscape and harbor in the background. The person on the left wears a green jacket, and the person on the right wears a white hoodie.
Two people smiling and taking a selfie from a high vantage point, with the cityscape and harbor in the background. The person on the left wears a green jacket, and the person on the right wears a white hoodie.
This image contains reptiles or arthropods such as snakes, lizards, spiders, centipedes, etc., and has been hidden
This image contains reptiles or arthropods such as snakes, lizards, spiders, centipedes, etc., and has been hidden
This image contains reptiles or arthropods such as snakes, lizards, spiders, centipedes, etc., and has been hidden
A book cover featuring a portrait, titled 'ПРЕСТУПЛЕНИЕ И НАКАЗАНИЕ' (Crime and Punishment) and authored by ДОСТОЕВСКИЙ (Dostoevsky).
A handwritten note containing a message from Viktoria, mentioning that she read this book in school and hoping that I will enjoy Russian classical literature. A heart symbol is drawn below the note.
A transparent plastic container holding three round pastries topped with crushed nuts. The pastries are golden brown and regularly shaped, with a hand holding the plastic container.

Now it’s the next day, I am organizing the post and typing these words down. (Actually it’s two months later, I am translating the post.) Today I woke up feeling a bit sad, like I just had a short dream that was starting to fade away. However, separation always makes us look forward to the next reunion. I need a smoothing song — Sophie Zelmani’s “Going Home” to adjust my mood.

These days I wasn’t learning Russian, and I had forgotten a lot of what I learned before. I need to consolidate, and like Максим said, practice. This won’t be the end.

Playlist

Lack of Sophie Zelmani’s “Going Home”.


Won’t be the end.