Has anything really changed here?

I would like to make a disclaimer that I don’t mean any offense to my relatives or any Russians…just my observations.

Something sad I noticed here recently is that nothing seems to be any different than it was before communism collapsed in 1991. Sure the buidlings are shiny, the roads improved, they dress better and they can leave the country, all mostly becuase of oil. But what about change on the inside? All the news is still controlled and heavily regulated. People still don’t want to work, they want the government to help them (sound familiar?). They are the most corrupt culture in the world. They only show you the good, and never talk about their problems, so as not to appear inferior. I think this at the heart of the issue. They don’t feel respected. As a country they want to be respected, but they really don’t seem to matter to the rest of the world, save for their oil or if they pose a military threat. I can see why they want respect, but they’re not going to get it in the ways they’re going about it (see endless media stories on foreign affairs). I don’t expect this to change. Change is not a word they really understand or adapt to easily. Now reminiscing over history,  great accomplishments and war victories they can do for hours. The key is respect. But how to do this when both parties feel alienated or mistreated by the other? Understanding and change are the answers. Will it happen? Who knows…maybe not in my lifetime.

The Largest Ferris Wheel…

is found in the famous Gorky Park. You know, the famous park featured in old cold war spy movies. The whole park is in need of some updating, including the ferris wheel. It’s pretty magnificent, as if it was frozen in time from the 40′s.

Competing with the Chinese? … I take you picha

I’ve never understood the fascination that people have in taking pictures of everything everywhere, or worse off, recording it all on video. In my opinion it’s like you’re giving so much attention to recording life than actually living life. Maybe that’s a stretch, but have you ever seen Asian tourists? They should just have one person do all the filming so they can all enjoy themselves…ok, I’m getting off topic. What I really wanted to talk about is the deep  desire of Russians to be glamorous and take lots of pictures being “glamorous” so they can show all their friends and relatives and anyone else interested (on their ‘Face book’ type websites). You’ve seen Russians in high fashion, and they seem like naturals, don’t they? The truth is they’ve been groomed since childhood to pucker their lips and gaze disinterested at a camera. I see these ‘photo shoots’ on a regular basis. Are they updating their headshots for their ‘Marry a Foreigner’ Website? Who knows. I do think its histerical that every time Olya and I take a walk somewhere remotely scenic, that there are at least one or two of ‘them’ around with their camera crew. Well if that was a little much for you, then here’s my other thought: It’s possible they want to remember a time in life when it wasn’t cold and snowy. They need these photos to bring back fond memories of above freezing conditions, and that in 7 months, there will be livable weather. Well, I have to go. Olya wants to go take pictures in the park. He he!

Nothing to do?

Something that always boggles me is, I realize there are millions of people in this city, but why do I always see people just sitting in their cars? I mean, don’t they have anything to do? I see them sleeping, talking together, listening to music…but otherwise doing zip! Isn’t there someplace they need to be or something they could be doing? It’s mostly men that I see, and I can’t say that I would be comfortable asking them what exactly they are doing, seeing as they all look really scary.

Russian Weddings

The wedding is a sacred union between a man and a woman who commit themselves to love one another until they are living no longer. Traditions from the Soviet Union have carried into the time of “free” Russia in the mandatory civil service at a government wedding house called, “Zax.” There is no message/sermon, just well wishes of love and happiness and commitment. This is the only service that a Russian couple needs to have, but Christians will also be married in a Church as a witness to all friends, family and other guests. Plus they will not kiss until this church ceremony, with a pastor, has been performed. When my sister-in-law, Katya married Oleg this summer, this was my first experience at a Zax and so I thought I would show some pictures of it.

Riding on the Metro

That’s right! These people don’t love to smell glass as much as it looks. They’re being pressed into it by the raw tonnage of sweaty, smelly bodies. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to have this experience. I decided to forgo this train and waited for the next. During rush hour there can be no escaping this “right of passage.” These awkward moments are facts of life that most comfortable americans don’t have to deal with. You should be thanking God, because the rest of the world must! Pay that $4/gallon and turn up your Satellite radio, smile and relax without someone’s fish-breath hovering around you.

human sardines in a big metal can

This morning, our driver made me feel tipsy, with his excessive braking and excelerating. In any case, the motion simulates surfing if you aren’t able to grab onto something stable. I think they should have barf bags on board just in case….or at least some Hawaiian music to make it interesting!

The Sweet tooth

the main course

So the next time you’re having a meal with a Russian and he tells you he cannot eat anymore, that he’s full. Don’t believe him. This is his polite way of saying, “That was all well and nice, but it’s time for the cookies, pastries, chocolates, candies and honey and then we’ll wash it all down with some tea!” I have to confess that this boy, who grew up thinking that fruit and air-popped popcorn was desert, was surprised to learn this secret language. I’m pretty sure that they don’t even like real food, but that it’s all just preliminary to get to the sweets. They have even invented other excuses to do this: “TEA”-2 or 3 times a day. Even after all this sugar intake, they are as skinny as toothpicks! This doesn’t make much sense to me, but then, here, not much does.

The M(oscow)ullet

It’s back with force in the CIS!!! I cannot walk for two minutes without being bombarded by this new mullet being touted about by “New Russians” (wikipedia: New Russians).

I was getting used to the shaved head and bangs look (somewhat the opposite of a mullet… maybe I’ll call it the “Tellum”) Anyways, someone should tell ‘em to be a little more creative….and stylish. This “european species” is making it’s way to the heart of pop culture here. We all remember the original 80′s-90′s version: Business in front, party in the back.

This time, the high and tight has been abandoned for bed-head all around. They shave close from the sideburns making a rainbow around the ears to the back of the neck, creating a runway down the middle. I could take pictures like this all day, if I actually wanted to. Fortunately, there is no girl version of this here….yet. The women still dress and act like ladies, even if the men look somewhat like animals.

Moscow Lawnmowers

Actually these little goats (or kids) are entertainment for children in the neighborhood. In Russian cities apartment houses are arranged with a park or playground in the middle for children to play, benches for people to sit, and parking places. In the middle of a nearby complex, there is a quasi-petting zoo for children to feed, pet, and torment these cute little guys. I didn’t know this when I took this picture, because they weren’t in their cage and no one was around. I just thought, “wow, we have wild goats in our neighborhood?” 

Soviet Power Breakfast

Chances are if you lived in a soviet village or town (pre-90′s), you were without electricity, so devises like this were pretty handy. I saw this in our Tech dept (of all places) at the Baptist Union, and had to write about it. It reminds me of when I was camping with family as a kid. We made scrambled eggs with such a device except in place of a drill bit, a wisk. I’m going to say that this thing probably doesn’t make breakfast quite as tasty.