For some reasons, i decided to go to the Russia.
The current world cup played a very big role in decision making but i have always wanted to go to Russia. I have been to almost everywhere else in Europe except Russia, therefore the FIFA World Cup was a big opportunity to travel around Russia.

First of all, i bought a match ticket from Fifa and got my FAN ID (note that FAN ID is the official visa to Russia for World Cup) sent to me in Abuja. After picking up the FAN ID, i knew it was time for another adventure in another world.

Fasten your seatbelt. It's time to see Russia as it is.

Wow. Do keep us posted.

Clicked on the follow button already

following. I saw the pics when you landed in Russia

This Thread gonna be lit Mazi Zuby77 ekenem gi.

Following bumper to bumper.

Russian babes will be drilliled by ozo-igbo ndu1 of berlin. but oga zubby, is dat u on d pic?

From the BOSS

Departure Port, MM International Lagos.

Like i have always done each time i wanted to fly, i went to the Airport early. I was going to fly Turkish airways.
From my research, Turkey seems to be closer to Russia than all other international airlines flying from Lagos.
Lufthansa was a no no. Not interested in going to Germany. Besides Lufthansa and other major European airlines are pretty expensive. At 445,000 naira, i got Turkey. But some airlines charged as high as 800,000 naira. Since i was going to do a lot of flying and hotel lodging inside Russia, it was prudent that i started saving as much as i could from the beginning.
So it was Turkey airlines >> Lagos - Istanbul - Moscow..settled.

... After checking-in my single luggage, i gave some naira to the lady who handled it - atleast she politely asked.
Straight to immigration checkpoint, i was directed to one old man in particular whom they said handles the FIFA FAN ID Travellers. The moment i was directed to him, i knew something was fishy.

He brought out one list of names and threw it in front of me.
"Is your name on this list?" he fired.
I smiled. "What list is that Sir?"

"Are you asking me a question on top of the one i asked you? His face changed. Silly uneducated rogues and Small time criminals. Taking criminal advantage of whatever position they found themselves.

" If your name is not here, you are not going to Russia. All the money you spent will be a waste".

A look at the top of the list and I saw Super Eagles Supporters Club.

"But sir, this is the list of government sponsored supporters club. I am not one of them, i am sponsoring myself to Russia to support my country. So if you stop me from crossing here, the appropriate authorties will know about this". I said.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked.
I looked up at him, "It is a shame if you see it that way, but i dont care. I am still in Nigeria, so i am not stranded yet".

"Just find us something and go your way". He said.
Other people were behind me and they knew i was not going to let anyone jump ahead. Some of them were going ro Russia too. I would have normally given these rogues some money and continue but i wanted to give voice to the younger people behind me. I was sure some of them struggled to buy flight ticket ro Russia. Atleast they needed to know the forged list was thrash.

Well, i opened my small hand bag and brought out 5000 naira, handed it to the old man and said, "I am just giving you this as help. Stop this stealing you people do here at the airport".

I was eventually stamped off to go to Russia. But before then, there was the custom too, the NDLEA and one other group who all saw when i paid immigration. They all believed it was their right to be paid too. And this happens everyday in a country we believe would become good in the near future. It was just a shame.

Fast forward, i arrived in Moscow Vnukovo International Airport the following day, cleared immigration without paying a dime, picked my Iceland vs Nigeria match ticket and the collection center there at the airport before taking a taxi to a hotel recommended by a friend.


Pix..
With the Colombians,
With the Egyptian and Peruvian
At the Cathedral of St.. Something
With a Mexican

ZUBY77:
Departure Port, MM International Lagos.

The great Zuby. Loyal follower reporting from Deutschland

The hotel was small compared to what i expected. They charged about 1800 Rub ( about 30$ or 10,000 naira) per room. The room they gave me has four small beds but since i paid for the entire room, i asked them not to swnd another person to the place. I liked to be alone when on the road.

The following morning, i searched online for a new hotel near the city center, paid with my GTbank mastercard, called a cab and drove there.

At this new hotel, i was to share the room with a Brazilian man. I didnt know this while booking but it has happened already. Good news was that there was a big metal box where i could lock my things.
I collected the key of the metal box, opened my luggage, picked out my Jean shirt which has two pockets in front, (reason i adopted it. I always wants my valuables to be in front of me) put the dollars i came with in the pockets, took mu passport and FAN ID, locked the luggage, pushed it inside the metal box, locked it and left for Red Square and Kremlin, the Russian seat of power.

The Red square was buzzing with foreigners, the entire world was there in Moscow, therefore i knew i picked the best time foe this journey.

The first thing i noticed was that everyone from evwry country wanted my Nigeria Jersey. They loved it. They offered money in exchange but then i needed it too. So they just took pictures with me and left.

following you boss.... bringing Russia at our faces.
ozoigbondu 1 of Berlin... Tuale sir

ZUBY77 you inspire me in ways I can't explain keep it up boss happy stay in Russia

Mr Zuby77, please keep it coming sir.

I'm so loving your narrative.

You'll need to update us about the atmosphere at the stadium when Nigeria meets Croatia.

Thank you.

There at the red square, I started making friends from all over the world. People from Australia, Germany, France, USA, Wanted to meet up. Everyone was just excited. USA did not qualify for the tournament but you could see them all over the place.
My first set or friends were JASPER from Florida who showed me the picture of his girlfriend as if she is the best thing on earth, ART the traveler from California who said he has been on the road since March and ROGER from Orlando was supporting Colombia since USA failed to qualify.
Our first meet up point was an expensive bar opposite the red square building where I was sitting quietly paying attention to a Brazilian chic and contemplating my next move.
"Hey, what's up man, I love Nigerian Jersey. Its the best" that was Jasper, as he pointed at my shirt.
I smiled and nodded.
"Can we join you? This is Art and Roger, we all met up here" he continued.

I nodded and asked them to join me. That ended the Brazilian girl illusion and interest.
They called the bartender, ordered beer for all of us and we started partying out of nothing. The next beer order was from me. I had converted some 2000 US dollars and had about 125,000 Russian Rupees, so no shaking, I was ready to show them yanks that even though I was from Africa, I was still the Boss.

This man Zubby.... you've arrive again. boss I just dey hail u ooo. when it comes to the power of narration, descriptive tendency and expressive accuracy, boss u gat it all. one of my admired writer here on Nairaland.

Haha.. The boss himself

Sharp boss

boss am in Russia already with all this.... well done boss.

Keep us updated now

Currently at the Stadium to watch Nigeria vs Croatia.
But there are lots of things to write before this stage.
We will get to that.

Seated inside the Stan now. Bring it on Eagles

Nice one.

ZUBY77:
Seated inside the Stan now. Bring it on Eagles

Zuby77, we cbo guys dey wait for you. Abi you go share us dollars for our group?



Ride on boss. Solidly behind you

I site u baba, up eagles
ccZUBBY77

I just saw you waving your mouphler now!

Abeg zubby77 come and tell us what happened to those guys in the field. I am happy I changed my mind from buying the ticket because those guys just messed up big time. I just felt like entering the television to give them a serious spank.

seunny4lif:
Keep us updated now

Mr libya, as much love as you have for Pootin and Russia, surprise you are not in Russia now. Why please. Ask your other comrades why are they not in Russia to support your lord Pootin. Lol.

seunny4lif:

Just asking. You are still my buddy though.