Definitely A Trip To Remember!!
Written: Apr 03 '00 (Updated Jul 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A Must Go Trip Once In A Lifetime!
Cons: Food, Infrastructure And Uneasiness!
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| Halsua's Full Review: Russia |
We stayed in Moscow for a week in May of 1998. I had the advantage of staying with my brother-in-law at their apartment located right on the Riverfront. His wife was the Regional Coordinator for the Peace Corp in Russia and she worked out of the U.S. Embassy. She could fluently speak the language and escorted us throughout Moscow for the week we were there. We would not had seen as much had it not been for her.
A very exciting place to visit considering it's history past and present. It was hard to believe that I was walking across "Red Square" taking pictures of Lenin's Tomb and St. Basilica Cathedral. Just a few short years ago Stalin and Kruchshev stood in the very spot as their troops paraded by during the annual May Day Celebration and they made it a point to threaten the U.S. by saying that they would bury us if we ever have a war with them.
Yet today, located next to Lenin's tomb you will find a souvenir shop selling all kinds of trinkets, dolls, post cards, etc. The experience was Surreal! Almost like living an episode on Twilight Zone.
It only goes to prove that the almighty Dollar rules the world I guess. We were very uneasy while traveling throughout Russia. Everyone knows you are an American and they were highly suspect of our motives for being there. Example; I took a picture of my daughter while riding in the subway and the people starting yelling at us and our escort, saying that we were not allowed to take photos of the transit system for security purposes. They are still living in the 50's era!
One thing we noticed immediately is that no one smiles in Russia! In fact, they think the Americans are a little crazy because we smile and laugh alot. Whenever we smile or laugh during a conversation or while eating we would get constant stares.
The saddest thing about Russia is how much the common people have suffered the past 80+ years since the revolution and especially during the most dreaded times of the Stalin Era. He was the most ruthless dictator. We heard unbelievable stories from the local families while we had dinner with them in their "little" two room apartments, furnished to them by their government. Alexi and his mother (our hosts) lived in a 400 sq.ft. one bedroom apartment.
I could go on for several hundred pages telling you our experiences in Mother Russia but I don't want to bore you. However, I will say this...visit Russia if you get the opportunity!
We went to Moscow once and that was enough, but we totally enjoyed St. Petersburg!!! We went back there this past year and plan on going again later this year! You can go there quite economically if you know what you are doing. As I said before, a trip to Russia is a trip you will never forget and you will come home and give THANKS that you live in America! Someday I'll tell you about my other great trips to some of the other countries such as Finland, Norway and Denmark. Wonderful countries to visit with your children!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Halsua
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 0 members
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