Way to Russia Community and Forum

larry · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 13

Hello,
I am an American from San Diego California....and one day I'm planning to visit far east Russia via Alaska (if it is possible). Short of learning the language adequately which is important in any culture, what can I do to be acceptable among Russians?

I'd like to start by making some friends here on the forum. Who knows? Maybe you can visit me here in San Diego, too. We have a fairly prominent Russian community here....and they have a great Deli and restaurant near my neighborhood.

My first observations of Russians I've seen here in the States is that they are casual and modest....and wonderfully unconventional. They are quite cautious about speaking to strangers and stay among themselves, so it is difficult to get to know them.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Larry.

skaarJ · Just Starting Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

To tell you the truth , you could find more interesting places to visit.
Why have you decided to go to the eastern part, are you thinking of any specific place there?

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

mss · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

offtopic

2 Xela
http://www.colonialvoyage.com/russian.html - what's wrong?

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

larry: Definitely visit St Petersburg. Eastern Russia adjacent to Alaska will not give you any impression what Russia is really like because most of the cultural institutions and financial wealth in Russia is concetrated in large cities.

Ekaterina · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:33 pm Post subject:

larry:
Your plan is great. I consider Kamchatka and Chukotka as the most beautiful places in Russia. The nature is incredible. The city is surrounded by volcanoes, some of them are active. There a valley of geysers in Kamchatka and Nothern lights are often there. You may see white and brown bears coming to the city at night. There are also seal-rockeries in that region.
In Chukotka there are ancient Eskimos sites. The culture of Northen people is very uncommon.
I have found three members of hospitality club from Kamchatka. Try to contact them via www.hospitalityclub.org.

larry · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 13

Great feedback! Thanks!

I'll try to answer everyone adequately.......

Dear skaar (your response)

"To tell you the truth , you could find more interesting places to visit.
Why have you decided to go to the eastern part, are you thinking of any specific place there?"

____Let me try to explain myself......Evidently my idea about visiting east Russia seems a little weird to most of the Russians on this forum....I suppose it is like Russians telling me they want to see New York or L.A.
My first response would be, " What the hell for??? Both those places are dirty, crowded, full of traffic and obnoxious people."
....But ,unfortunately, when foreigners think of America, they think of these places.

My guess is that in both cases, the U.S. & Russia, the cities don't really represent the REAL soul of either country. When I think of mammoth cities that influence the character of the people, I think of London or Paris or Rome or Shanghai or Tokyo or Rio. The Brits, for example, are VERY urbanized people. Their obnoxious humor, lovable arrogance, lack of solid values are ALL London traits....not really English ones.

Go ahead and mock me if you wish, but when I think of Russians, I think of quiet thoughtfull people like Dr. Zhivago or Tolstoy.....not Vinnie from 'disco fever'. I'd rather have a great conversation with some ordinary Russians over some super clean vodka, than party with some over-dressed yuppies in an over-priced night club.(I can find that in New York).

....As for landscape....WOW! Who can beat the Kamchatka penninsula? I would absolutely LOVE to trek around there some day.
I take it from everyones' tone that going from Alaska to Vladivostok is very tough. What do you guys know about it?

....Oh yes.....I REALLY like the Bering bridge idea. Like many people I've thought of that a lot....and I think it is doable, especially with two great engineering nations like Russia and the U.S. I also think the Russians should build a super highway across from China to Europe.

....Imagine driving from Rio to London!!!!!!________________________________________________________
Dear Xela Lounge Lizard (Your Response)

"You can start by reminding them that America paid $7.2 million for Alaska, when the truth was Russia never owned it in the first place. "

Xela
http://www.colonialvoyage.com/russian.html - what's wrong?"

I always thought $7.2 mil was a great deal but now you're telling me the deal is all null and void......So who owes the money to the Inuit? You or us? See you in court... in Sri Lanka.

I've been to Fort Ross AND the 'Russian River' area in northern California....INCREDIBLE! The redwoods, the landscape and most importantly THE WINE....is great there.

Xela (Any relation to Xena-the-warrior-princess?)

You didn't mention that Russia has a fort on Kauai island, the most beautiful Hawaiin island....I wonder how much that cost us.

____________________________________________________________

Dear MrSpice (your response),

larry: Definitely visit St Petersburg. Eastern Russia adjacent to Alaska will not give you any impression what Russia is really like because most of the cultural institutions and financial wealth in Russia is concetrated in large cities.

Yes....I've heard a lot of great things about St. Petersburg....and who wouldn't want to visit one of Russia's greatest engineering accomplishments.......

But, (maybe incorrectly), when I think of Russia, I imagine those amazing wooden orthodox churches on HUGE rivers occupied by elegant black-robed priests......or miles of unspoiled white birch forests......or a vodka drinking fest on the trans-Siberian railway. I would love to experience the 'Slavic Soul' in its' own setting.

.....Just remember, we Americans aren't all loud-mouthed, spoiled boobs from New York City and I would hate to think that just because those people have the most money & get the most air-time on the media....that everybody thinks we're like that. I would try to direct visitors to the U.S. away from that krap if I could.........

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

mss,

Allow me to remind you that Alaska was first colonised by CAUCASIANS.

In any event the Russians who arrived with the Caucasians LATER ON were Catholics, strongly pointing towards a different group of 'Russians' that you seem to have inside your head.

So if Alaska was indeed owned then know this: It was conquered and run by Cossacks from the Caucasus, and they would have been the only ones putting up a resistance to conquering Americans.

Why? Because Alaska was simply too far away for the Tsars to commit Russian forces to, and the Bering Strait was one of the worst areas to conduct a military expedition through.

So what would have been the likely outcome if America had just simply taken it over?
Probably nothing, except for the resistance from Cossack settlers.. so the fact is Americans got duped buying Alaska, and I have heard this direct from Siberians too, who find it a pleasant source of entertainment.

In any event your link is historically inaccurate. I suggest reading up a little more on Alaska before taking any of that too literally.

Almost reminds me of when the English duped the Americans into buying London Bridge, when they thought that meant Tower Bridge.

Americans payed for this:

http://qualitywallpapers.x-istence.com/Nature/Tower%20Bridge.jpg

But ended up with this:

http://www.mitchozog.addr.com/London_Bridge_web.jpg

Wink

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 741 Location: Moscow

Larry, I know just what you mean.

Whenever I get into conversations with Russian about America they always wax poetic about New York City and how they have family there and what a wonderful American metropolis it is.....and then I tell them that I've never been to New York. Looks of dismay. To me New York is an anomoly in America, kind of a Disney/rude/loud/pretentious one-of-a-kind place, but not real America. Russians refuse to believe this.

Yeah, I know where you're coming from. It's ok. Smile

You go for it.

So far as Russians being casual and modest--well, stay in Eastern Russia and maybe you'll find some there. Not in Moscow.

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

larry,

larry · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 13

Bolshoi Thanks to you Ekaterina!!!
(What did I just say? Did that make any sense at all?)

Your post is EXACTLY what I had in mind.

larry:
Your plan is great. I consider Kamchatka and Chukotka as the most beautiful places in Russia. The nature is incredible. The city is surrounded by volcanoes, some of them are active. There a valley of geysers in Kamchatka and Nothern lights are often there. You may see white and brown bears coming to the city at night. There are also seal-rockeries in that region.
In Chukotka there are ancient Eskimos sites. The culture of Northen people is very uncommon.
I have found three members of hospitality club from Kamchatka. Try to contact them via www.hospitalityclub.org.

I'm definitely visiting the 'hospitalityclub' website. I'll have some questions for you later, hopefully.......
I realise that area is extremely wild but do you know anyone who has attempted to cross over from the U.S. to Russia via ferry or fishing boat?

That isn't totally nuts, is it?

Also, what is traveling a river like the Volga like? I would love to see some of those beautiful wooden orthodox churches and slam vodka with regular people.

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

Ekaterina · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:05 am Post subject:

larry:
I haven't found any information about crossing Bering strait by boat but some people did it skiing http://www.shparo.ru/Bering/bering_main.htm. Probably the easiest way is to fly.
Regarding Volga cruises they are similar to any other big river cruises and you may visit old wooden churches in the coastal towns and villages. On board you will meet many drinking Russians so learn Russian before you come to hold a conversation with them.

larry · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 13

Ekaterina,

Thankyou, for this information. I was too busy 'debating' with Xela to do anything constructive. I think Xela & I just got called 'retards' so this would be a good place to change topics.

Flying does sound like the best of options.

Yes, I use to be a ski instructor ...but skiing across sounds like it requires a lot of training and preparation...These days I don't have enough time or money to mount a mini-expedition like that.

Certainly, knowing the language would be fantastic....I don't know what to say there, except that I know a little Serbian, is that a similar l;anguage to Russian?

larry:
I haven't found any information about crossing Bering strait by boat but some people did it skiing http://www.shparo.ru/Bering/bering_main.htm. Probably the easiest way is to fly.
Regarding Volga cruises they are similar to any other big river cruises and you may visit old wooden churches in the coastal towns and villages. On board you will meet many drinking Russians so learn Russian before you come to hold a conversation with them.

Rick · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:29 pm Post subject:

If you think some things are missing here: please have a look in the 'Not relevant' section.

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