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Groobs
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 83
Location: China (but missing St Pete!)
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 Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: Leaving Russia for good |
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Sadly, this will likely be my last post from my apartment overlooking Bolshoi Prospect here in SPB, and indeed from Russia - tomorrow, I move to Singapore for good, relocating with my job. 
So, my Russian adventure, that has kept me here on and off for about 6-7 years, is coming to an end.
As a tribute to all the Russians I have known and befriended (and in some cases slept with!), I just wanted to say, in all seriousness, and as an encouragement to those who may not yet have taken the plunge and paid the country a visit, that Russians are the most extraordinary people I have ever come across - proud, intelligent, forthright, impervious to cold, generous, welcoming and with an insatiable appetite for having a good time and for drinking life-threatening amounts of hard spirits.
The advent of the new moneyed Russians may be controversial here and elsewhere, but you cannot deny the impact it has had, for good and ill, here – the changes they have brought have been extraordinary - this is not even the city I knew 18 months ago, let alone 6 or 7 years ago. Many of the "edgier" aspects of life have gone - for many that can only be good news, and to a large extent I include myself in that, but also I do miss some of the downright danger that seemed to seep out of the very stone of the place!
There are still many things that Russia needs to address, in my humble opinion, and I read with despair of the restrictions and impositions that are daily being applied to the press and the opposition parties - the rule of law needs to be championed, and the corruption of petty and not-so-petty officials is a real cancer in this society, as is the obscene racism of the nationalist and skinhead fascist groups - another attack in today's St Pete Times, I read with dismay.
But all in all, it's a wondrous place, and I will miss it and those who live here - and I will also miss a good few who have made it their home, as I did for so long.
Dos vidanye. |
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krasatulya
VIP
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 590
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| And now a new journey begins for you. Good luck! |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Life is beautiful...and I'm sure Singapore will bring many new experiences for you |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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Dosvedania 
I know exactly--EXACTLY what you mean. We're outta here next year and as much as I criticize Russia, as much as Russia has changed since I've been here, as much as I deplore and love it, when we leave it I will miss it always. For all its faults.....
Russia is Russia. There is no other place like it. |
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yorbcbud
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 4903
Location: Сорренто, Британская Колумбия, Канада
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Leaving Russia for good |
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| That's a nice farewell post, Groobs. Good luck, and don't forget to write. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Groobs has been one of the best posters this forum has seen over the past few years. |
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jo-jo-7
Just Starting
Joined: 16 Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Groobs....Good Luck to you....I wish you new adventures and new friends in Singapore.....
jo jo 7 |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:43 am Post subject: |
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Poka Groobs. I join the others in wishing you luck in staid,orderly and hot Singapore. What a culture shock you are in for after St Petersburgh.
I will miss your excellent posts |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:55 am Post subject: |
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| yes...and thanks again for all the photos that inspired us all to return to St Pete and or visit. Culture shock for sure and you will be over the confinement of Singapore in no time...it's a small place |
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mister_wizzz
VIP
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 582
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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By the way, it is quite surprising that after 6 years you will not bring a part of Russia with you (I mean a Russian wife ).
Good luck in Singapore. |
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Groobs
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 83
Location: China (but missing St Pete!)
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 12:01 am Post subject: |
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wow - now I know what it must be like to watch your own funeral! Thanks for the good wishes, much appreciated.
My last night in SPB was a true high point - Swan Lake at the Mariinsky - and before we open that topic again, yes I paid (exorbitant!) foreigner price and very reasonable Russian price for my g/f - did not want to risk being turned away on this special occasion. It is perhaps the best that Russia can offer - ballet in one of the most beautiful places, with a beautiful Russian girl next to you, staring at other men in tights,,,,,,, 
BTW, mister-wizz, I will (once we get the visas sorted out!) be taking my Russian g/f to Singapore, maybe not a wife yet, been there, done that,,,,,, who was it who said "I have decided not to re-marry, I am just going to find a woman I don't like and give her a house" |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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| PM your contact to me when you have finally arrived in Singapore. We can meet for a beer. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Groobs wrote: | wow - now I know what it must be like to watch your own funeral! Thanks for the good wishes, much appreciated.
My last night in SPB was a true high point - Swan Lake at the Mariinsky - and before we open that topic again, yes I paid (exorbitant!) foreigner price and very reasonable Russian price for my g/f - did not want to risk being turned away on this special occasion. It is perhaps the best that Russia can offer - ballet in one of the most beautiful places, with a beautiful Russian girl next to you, staring at other men in tights,,,,,,,
BTW, mister-wizz, I will (once we get the visas sorted out!) be taking my Russian g/f to Singapore, maybe not a wife yet, been there, done that,,,,,, who was it who said "I have decided not to re-marry, I am just going to find a woman I don't like and give her a house" |
brings back the memories...had a great time there with my then gf...St Pete is even more magical after a romantic evening at the opera...truely a high light. Well Singapore is a beautiful place and Malaysia is right next door...unbelievable food, women, and scenery...yes bring your Russian GF there...she will love it |
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