Way to Russia Talk Lounge

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431

Well, I came to the states like most Russian-Jewish immigrants because of the opportunities and because we had a relative here who invited us. I live in the heart of Russian America in Brooklyn, NY and work in Manhattan like most New Yorkers. Brooklyn, of course, is not a typical American town, to say the least.

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:50 am Post subject:

Mr. Spice,
Thank God there are some people on this forum who are themselves and are not afraid to reveal a little something about their lives etc. You are my new hero here. Smile

I have not yet visited Brighton Beach but would like to. My husband , son and I of course LOVE Manhattan.. Who wouldn't!!!

We have very close friends here who are Russian Jews from Krygst Republic. and they do love to go to Brighton Beach. Marya, the 84 yr. old Babushka, who I adore, especially loves it.

Money is a little tight right now for us but please stay in touch because perhabs next year, we will go to NYC and BB. Would really enjoy meeting you.

Eryk · Frequent Guest Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 42

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:57 pm Post subject:

I received information about our guest from Belarus who arrives tomorrow. I was told that she speaks Belarussian and Russian. Her name is Ala. She is 38, married and has 2 sons age 15 and 13. She lives in Mogilev and is Deputy Director of Mogilev City Social and Pedagogical Center where they provide aid and support to adolescents in trouble etc. I am looking forward to meeting her. I cleaned up our office/ guest room where she will sleep. My computer is in this room and now it is able to read and write in Cyrillic so she can get email etc here.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

Cyndy,

If you need help at all if the Cyrillic thing if it should fail, PM me, I'm very good at setting up regional language preferences. I just wish my computer could read Chinese... Confused

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the offer Zach. We'll see how the computer goes and whether she wants to use it. I wish I had a bilingual Cyrillic/English keyboard.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

You don’t have to buy a bi-lingual keyboard now. I have seen on the internet that you can buy keyboard stickers that have the Cyrillic and Roman letters on them. You just stick them on the keys and presto. There really cool!

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:18 pm Post subject:

I may resort to the getting the stickers but really prefer a bilingual keyboard. I was going tio get it online but the shipping charge was high.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

Oh yeah shipping is a pain in the butt, the minimal price for standard USPS ground on e-stores is like $6.00 and from Russia standard shipping can be as much as $15.00!

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject:

I just spoke with my friend Ilya who is coming over today to help me practice Russian. He told me he thinks there is a Russian store on route where he can get me those clear stickers. He is on his way and hopefully I'll have the stickers today! Not as good as a keyboard but cheaper and will get the job done!!!

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

Yay! They will work, is you area heavily populated with Russians? I will be in MA twice in July...

cyndy22 · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 3:14 am Post subject:

Western Massachusetts does have a fairly sizable Russian and FSR immigrant community in a few different cities. Near my town which does not have many Russian or FSR immigrants, are the small cities of Westfield, Springfield and West Springfield. Each of these cities has a surprisingly large number of Russian and FSR immigrants. Previosuly I volunteered with a Refugee Assistance agency in Wet Springfield. I purposely chose this asgency because I was aware of the influx of Russians and FSR people who have come to this area for mainly religious and political freedom issues. At the time I was seeking opportunities to meet Russian speaking people to exchange our languages with, and learn more about Soviet culture. I met some wonderful people from Ukraine, Latvia, Belarus, Russia and other countries. I made many friends there.

Zach, where are you visiting in MA in July? I think most visitors who come to MA focus on Boston and eastern MA rather than western MA. However if by chance you and your family come to western MA let me know beforehand. We would be glad to host you and your family for a few days. BTW we have a beautiful in ground swimming pool and cabanam, not bAD FOR SUMERTIME!

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

I know in Philadelphia, because I'm from there we have a lot of African and Middle Eastern refugees. Many of the came to the city because it is smaller than New York but has the same if not more ethnic groups living there. Philadelphia has a HUGE Russian-American and Polish-American population. As for my trips to MA. In the beginning of July I'm going to Boston with my Grandmother, Aunt, and Cousin to help my Cousin move since she was accepted to graduate school at UMass. Then I'm not sure of the date I will be in Springfield and Holyoke areas! My father's company is paying for a hotel for us but maybe we can arrange lunch or something. Smile

That would be fun.

cyndy22 · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 1:08 pm Post subject:

Interestingly, when my grandfather immigrated to the US from Belarus or White Russia as it cas known then, first settled in Philadelphia. before c oming to the Springfield MA area. And actually the apartment where he and my grandmother lived in west Springfield, while it was demolished perhsaps 25 years ago, was located in the heart of where so many newer Russian and FSR immigrants now reside. Today I am gong to that neighborhood to shop for a few Russian food items. They have a nice Russian market there, as well as other Russian stores and businesses.

When you come to the Holyoke/Springfield area, let me know and we can meet for lunch or dinner. How about a Russian restaurant? There are a couple in the area.

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 815

I will talk with my parents about meeting you for dinner in MA. I don’t know if it would work, my Father is a little weary of my meeting people from off the internet. But we will see!

It is cool your Grandfather chose to come to Philly as his first place to live in the US!