Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

Speaking of which I am alive and well in Russia. I was going crazy in first 2 days. The aeroflot flight was quite amusing. In which three conditions made it quite amusing.
First Condition
Russian people when they have to go to the bathroom, they have to go now.
Second Condition
East Indian people when they use the bathroom, they use it for a VERY long time.
Third Condition
The locks on the bathroooms on Aeroflot planes can be pushed in.
I saw three times in which a Russian man or woman pushed in the bathroom door while locked. Twice on a east indian man and once on a Russian woman. I was laughing. Funny thing is that they said nothing.

Landed at the airport and everything was good. Funny thing is that Russian customs are more lax than Canadian Customs. They just waved me through. Took a flight a Tarastan Airflight to Kazan. Despite what other people said Russian people are extremely nice. I was talking with a man and his wife at SVO1. I offered them so chocolates that I bought. Talking by the way I meant was speaking crappy Russian and he was trying to talk English. Anyways we were talking about Cars and he was looking at his car magazine. He eventually excused himself and gave me the magazine. That was nice of him,It was in Russian so I could not read it, but the jesture was nice.) Got on the Tarastan plane and was talking to some swedish guys. They wanted me to play hockey in Kazan with them. Anyways the plane was an old Soviet Tu-134. The stewardess and steward were great people and she and he did the best on the flight. (BTW Dmitri I tried to book this flight through you site was not able) I was wondering why the flight was almost empty and it was almost cheaper than the train. The plane was not beautiful and with old Soviet planes it takes off very quickly thus you make sure that you use the bathroom before entering the plane. Anyways they gave a meal and drink (did not take the drink because of above comment) After it landed, the Swedish guys told me about the horrible flight record of this aircraft. They thanked God they made it. I thought it was cool.

Anyways, I got a cab to go to Yoshar Ola. If you think traffic is bad in North America, try Kazan. Plus Russian drivers are insane. I saw 5 or more accidents on the way to Yoshkar -Ola. It was insane with pedestrans walking between traffic. Kazan looks nice and they are proud of the new Ikea store.

Got to Yoshkar-Ola and the building looked like there was a war. I am staying at a flat and the halls smelled like cat pee(because there is cat pee everywhere) As per usual, the outside of the flat looks awful, but inside was quite nice. The landlady was a 80 year old woman and she explained everything in the flat including how to flush the toilet and turn on the lights. I had laugh, but she was elderly and quite pleasant person. The decor reminded of me of my houses back in Nova Scotia. People always say nasty things about Russia being back 10 years. I have to say is go to an old town in USA and you will have the same decor. Hell I have seen houses in Calgary with rugs(green shag carpet-really pretty - NOT) on the wall. Something that I thought of is that I saw some really pretty girls hitchhiking or private cab. Something you do not see in USA or Canada anymore because of the paranoia about dying and rapping. In Russia, they do not have this paranoia like the USA.

I went with a friend to the local grocery store to buy some some food for the flat. She was amazed with the first Yoshkar-Ola automatic doors. For me it was nothing and I think she was offended by this. My mistake and I should be more considered. I bought some basic foods items and it costed about 500 roubles which is about $20. Okay remember it was not much items and the average wage in this city is $100 per month. So now you understand why many people leave this place to go Moscow, Kazan, or another country. Walked back and crashed at the flat. I have been up for approximately 30 hours. I gave the magazine to the cab driver. He was a nice guy. People here are not what WW said about them and if you come here to be apart of the community and do have an asshead attitude and live like them(as much as you can) then they are the most pleasant people.
More later
Paul

bernhard_riemann · Frequent Guest Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 40

great story, keep writing

vorteks · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:

Did you manage to visit the Kremin?

5_Zvehzda · Moderator Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 347 Location: Arizona

Hey Fauste,
It's good to hear you made it safely! Long journey travelling there. We were wondering when exactly you were going to visit Russia, but I knew it was this month sometime like you mentioned. I'm trying to make plans to travel there sometime this year. How many stop-overs (total) did you make along the way? Keep us updated on the events of your trip. Cool

Camrade · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:48 pm Post subject:

2Dr Fauste
great story Wink

btw, a town is called Yoshkar-Ola and there's no "Tarastan" there's a Tatarstan
Wink

anyway you're right: Yoshkar-Ola is a great hole

25_Zvehzda

5_Zvehzda · Moderator Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 347 Location: Arizona

Camrade · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 12:45 am Post subject:

25_Zvehzda
Wink

by the way, i wasn't completely serious Smile

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:34 am Post subject:

Hey Doc,
Happy to hear you are safe and sound. Hope you have a great adventure there! I think you are an open minded guy but face it you are also chasing the Great Russian Female Whymsical Dream that you have voiced your cynical opinions of. It's interesting that the good doctor's advice to others who are interested in meeting and perhaps even marrying Russian women, is to take a look at your own city and country. Guess the good Doc doesn't take his own medicine!!! BTW, we are all certainly interseted in your escapades. Just pashalsta, don't come home to your lovely Calgary and spit out bad feelings about any women who you met, were involved with, and/or feel you were some sort of victim of!!Hey DOC, You stillnhave a lot of time to come to your senses. Smile

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

First Day about Yoshkar-Ola.
Things that I find strange is that Russian women wear awful foot ware for heavy snow and they walk slower than a turtle to get anywhere. Russian men are generally stoned faced, but are nicest people. I went to the local night club and had beverages and played that evil game of billards. The game is more easier than pool, but the balls are bigger. I really suck at this game. Anyways, the greedy Russian people were buying me drinks and making their best way to make conversation in English to make me feel at home. It is funny though that I attend a local pub and the manager was worried that I was going to create some disturbance due my look and way I postion myself. I laughed quite hard. Anyways my comrades treated me quite well and I returned the favour. When down stairs to dance and talked to some ladies to dance, but seeing a shaved headed drunken foreigner that is about the size two russians wide, they were smart refused to dance. Out came the nikkid girls to dance. I was tired and went home. I must say the universal pissoff is just because you cannot speak the language does not mean that they have to explain things like how to use a toilet(though I have hit the seat once in while while drunk) and what Tsunimi means. Other things that drives me crazy is that two Russians will talk in your presence for 15 minutes and tell you a small 10 summary. you are left curious.
overall the people are MORE friendly and pleasant than people from big cities like Moscow and New York. the pace is very slow for someone like me that works 12 hours a days. I am offering to fix computers and repair flat to occupy my time. It drives people crazy that I walk around in -15 C weather with my jacket opened and wearing no hat. It is scottish blood. If you can take cold winds going up a kilt while wearing no underwear, then you can take anything. Soon they will refer to me as the Gloopi Canadaski.

I must be the only foreigner that does not get stupid drunk and rarely drink. I will be the guy drinking yogurt, not beer to work. I know that most Russians will not miss my presence in Yoshkar-Ola, but the street cat that I am spoiling with cheese and meat, will miss me.
BTW I have talked to nice ladies looking for good guys to correspond with. PM with your email and stats, I will forward them.

I will talk about the Russian Kazan Waterpark and how the BS about Russian people are not fat.

cyndy22 · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:30 pm Post subject:

Glad you hare having a nice time and meeting so many nice people. And thanks for emphasizing the truth that people as a rule are very kind hearted no matter where they live. I do find it interesting that you are taking the initiative to be somewhat of a match maker with the ladies. Smile

What is this stats? Don't answer please, it's a rhetorical question.

I'm sure the people appreciate your offers and any help you give with computers and repairs. How is your Russian? Do you feel that you can communicate on your own? Do many know much English in YO?

Glad you found a nice cat to spoil. When I travel I miss my animals at home and always enjoy befriending the local canines and felines!
Looking forward to hearing more of your travels.

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

Well I was going to discuss the Kazan waterpark, but I have to air some bad news. Well I got into arm wrestling and vodka. Russian people have this never give up attitude(actually it is a male ego thing, not Russian). After about 20 arm wrestling event and very sore arm, I went to local dance bar. I was with a bunch of people, but after awhile I got sick of being told what to do so I started to leave. There was this man who thought he was my security guard. Anyways he was trying to stop me from leaving and wait until the other people are willing to go. I was a little drunk and pissed off. After storming out of the bar and flooring a couple of bouncers who wanted to give some attitude when leaving, My "Body guard" tried to stop me by jumping on back and yelling at me to go back. One thing led to another and I ended hurting him bad with lots of blood in the snow. The strange thing that he was screaming at me about the beating and he was also very honoured that I beat like it was a game. He would not go in a Taxi to hospital (and bleeding was not stopping), so I had to grab him by the throat to force him in the cab and personally take him to hospital. His actions were done not in malice and neither was mine, but alcohol makes us very stupid and me even more stupid. I have spoken with him this morning and he is okay. He has forgiven me and I appreciated this, because I feel really bad. I probably leave Yoshkar Ola soon after I disgraced myself.

cyndy22 · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

Dr. Fauste,
I am surprised at this. I think you have more respect and self discipline than to get into nasty fights with Russians. Too much alcohol can make people very mean and lose control. I know you regret your actions. And that you apologized. That is good. We all make stupid mistakes especially when too much alchol is consumed. You need to mellow out. You don't need to prove how strong or smart or anything else you are. And your not 20 years old so yes I think it is rediculous that you got into this fight,. Thank God you are both ok. I know you feel bad about it and yourself. Now you can learn from it and just be more careful and don't let drunkenness, ego or your temper get in the way of you enjoying your trip and people there. Chalk this up as one regrettable experience and don't beat yourself up over it. I sincerely hope you will have a wonderful time exploring YO and elsewhere.

Happy Easter,
Love, Cyndy

mr. barley · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:44 am Post subject: My trip so far

I gotta tell you man, you got huge balls! What the hell are were you thinking ? If you know you get nutty under the influence, why would you risk so much in a foreign country? Sure when I was in Russia for 3 weeks I went on about 3 pretty good ones, but I know how to control myself even when I'm intoxicated. Actually I think some of these Russian I drank with were trying to see how much a smaller American man can drink. I think I surprised them. I can drink an aweful lot for my size.Years of practice I guess.I hope for the duration of your trip you remember this incident and act appropriately. Remember, your actions reflect on what Russians think about future visitors. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your trip. Russian is forever in my memories and I hope your's also.