On The Way Of Freedom's video: Caucasus Enduro Trip Episode 03 A discussion border truckers from Ukraine Ossetian traditions

We don’t care much about pleasant weather now, because we are having unpleasant difficulties with crossing of Russian-Georgian border. Main problem is that, this is the one and only border crossing named Verhnij Lars. At this moment you realize the simplicity of traveling in Europe. It is different here. We were ready to enjoy “Paradise named Georgia” this evening as one of the Baizeļi Oskars said in a recent interview. We are outside our dream land and we have no idea when or how we gonna cross the border. Cause for all the trouble is nature’s cataclysm – snow and ice avalanche from the mountains has blocked the only border crossing there is. At the beginning when we contacted Georgian embassy in Latvia they assured that everything is fine and we will be able to continue our journey without any trouble. Encouraged by information we headed towards border crossing, but already on Russian side of it we were not allowed even close to border and our documents were taken away. Thirty minutes later news from Georgian embassy were not promising. Then we realized we have to look for other possibilities how to cross the border. Thankfully, Russian border guards were kind enough to give us back our documents. Our first option was to ride through Azerbaijan, but the one and only legal border crossing on land is open only to citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan. And embassies are powerless in this situation. Our next option was to go back to Sochi, where there is a chance to travel by ferry to Georgian city Poti. But this information is not yet 100%. We are getting worried. Hoping for good news tomorrow. A helicopter which frequently flies over the snow capped mountaintops to Georgia is visible from our hotel room window. The rescue and search for the missing people are still on. The glacier landslide has covered 300 m of the road and taken 6 trucks with it, ruptured a gas pipe and filled up river Tereka. Seven people have died and many are still missing. Today, our declaration for equipment entry in Russia is over, so we go to the border to figure out what to do about this. 10 km before the crossing is a police and army post. Noone is allowed near the crossing. We talk the guards into letting one motorcycle inside to figure the situation out. The Russian guards assure us once again, that crossing is not allowed and probably wont be possible for about a month. They recommend us to go to the border crossing with South Ossetia, which is 80 km away. We decide that this is our best option. On the way, another cash blackmail from the police happens. This appears to be the only unpleasant thing about North Ossetia. The rainfall is dreadful and the temperature is around 10 degrees celsius. After a 2 hour ride on the turpentine, we are at the border. There is Russian army equipment everywhere. The guard hears us out, and warns that our one-way Russian visa won’t be valid to go back. We decide to go back. Nearby, there’s a spot in the mountains called Cej, and it’s rumoured to be worthy of seeing. There, we would also have to search for accommodation, because we have to dry our wet clothes. Not far from our destination, there’s a painting of Stalin on a cliff. Later, we find out from our host Tamirlan that this is nothing unusual and they appear in several places here. Our host is very welcoming and the night continues at the table with stories of Ossetian life and values. 100 km covered today. A film about this trip is coming soon. __________________________________________________________ https://www.facebook.com/OnTheWayOfFreedom/ https://www.instagram.com/onthewayoffreedom/ http://onthewayoffreedom.com/lv/ http://1836.lv