May 5, 2024
I originally intended to enter Belarus from the north and travel along the west edge via Grodno and Brest. Visa rules were confusing, but because this involved a land crossing, with visa-free entrance only available in Minsk, which I had no intention of flying into, I would need a visa. With three days in Riga and the Belarusian Embassy just a stone’s throw away from my rented apartment, it looked like a no-brainer to stop in, apply and collect before continuing my journey. The first roadblock came in the form of a padlock, a chained old gate, and a local cop yelling, “Net! Net!” at me. The consulate has been closed for a while, despite Google giving me the current opening hours, lunch breaks, and even what the Ambassador is having for supper! I think a minor update is required here. Further investigation revealed nothing new, and it was unclear whether the requisite documents could be obtained in Lithuania or whether any border crossings would be open to foreign nationals at all. Belarus was not in the too-hard basket; it now overflows from the unfeasible and ill-advised-to-travel-to bucket. Furthermore, when organizing this entire journey, I foolishly assumed that I would be able to cross the Belarusian and Ukrainian borders, which, in hindsight, is an embarrassing assumption. After a couple of beers and thorough analysis, I devised Plan B. Hop on an overnight Flix Bus circumnavigating Belarus through Poland before entering Ukraine from the west to reach the city of Lviv. I’ll admit that the travel and destination filled me with a little trepidation… Nonetheless, I left with a USB charger dangling from the coach ceiling and a bottle of vodka to help me sleep on the 15-hour journey…
