It feels different here. The locals are very unaccustomed to foreigners - I get sideways glances when they hear me speaking English. Berlin was very accommodating and very comfortable. While Maryna's parents house is a sanctuary, Grodno is less attractive to my taste. It reminds me a Liberal, Kansas, my home town, in some ways.
Foreigners are required to register with the local passport office within three days of entering the country. Tomorrow will be the third day, I tried registering today but the office is only open every other day.
After seeing Poland (Warsaw), I have to say that Grodno is about 12 years behind in developement, it is about twenty years behind Berlin. I can't see this changing much if the Belarussian President won't open the borders. It was very difficult to get in the country. Crossing the border was a challenge, even with a valid passport and visa accompanied by Belarussians. The inspectors at passport-control had to phone their supervisors for clearance to let me pass.
