Today I started off early in order to get to Minsk in time for lunch, but I didn’t calculate enough time for border passing. First queuing up, but being on a bike, I just passed it so that was ok. Then started the paperwork. I just realized how lucky we are having the Schengen agreement.

• First – passport and VISA-check. Same procedure as at the embassy in Stockholm. Where are you staying, how long, why do you travel through Belarus etc.
• Second – health insurance. I’m insured by my Swedish insurance company and had paper proofing that. But no, I had to by an extra one. 2 €…
• Third – inspection. They checked my bike papers and it was all ok. This was another 4 €, still don’t know what for.
• Forth – customs. And some new forms to fill out. But this part was for free!

All this was made in different places, no way they could organize it so all is done at the sam place. This took four hours! I ended up in Minsk at 2 o’clock.

The EU-border – a new kind of iron curtain?

Well, Minsk is much as I imagined it, but nicer. The town has a nice touch of Soviet building mixed up with large parks and a river. There isn’t much spectacular sites to visit but I’ll show you som pictures to get a feeling of it.

Town Hall

The river with a recreation area

Monument from the great patriotic war

A square with lots of Belarussian stars

A banner showing the proud Belarussian?

I never felt unsafe in this town. There are police all over the place, often local. My hotel asked me to move my bike or I would get a fine from their policeman. As far sa I can judge, they are very friendly. I had big problem finding a legal parking lot in the city. As I always do, I then just parked on the side.

But then came the police…

I didn’t want me to take a picture of him, so I shot this from behind. Anyway, he allowed me to stay for an hour. I you watch the picture with my bike you will see my sunglasses on the seat. I left them there by mistake, and no one took them during the hour I was gone. Would that happen in Stockholm?