Thread: Going to Russia

I will be staying in a flat on St.Petersburg, Finlandskij Prospect. Is anyone familiar with this street or part of town?
It is 2 metro stops from the Institute in the Derzhavin Museum building on Fontanka, where I will be going.

Good luck and have fun DDT.

Congrats man, it's cool you could make it. I remember they refused to give you a visa once like a year ago or something. Anyway have a good time! Looking forward for a sequel to that cow story series.

Oh, the Cow Story! I was just talking about finishing that not 20 minutes ago, with a Russian friend of mine who is also waiting for the next instalment. I am glad that my sense of humour translated well into Russian. When I do finish, I will post it here at MR.

Должен был запостить, о клубе совсем забыл. URL с инфой о клубе английского языка в СПб--
http://www.efl.ru/forum/threads/19443/

Well, I made it to St Petes! Found the City Cafe so I can now check in. Too bad I left my Russian AC power converter at home and my computer is critical. Check in later. BYe

Originally Posted by DDT

Well, I made it to St Petes! Found the City Cafe so I can now check in. Too bad I left my Russian AC power converter at home and my computer is critical. Check in later. BYe

The weather must be miserable

Originally Posted by DDT

Well, I made it to St Petes! Found the City Cafe so I can now check in. Too bad I left my Russian AC power converter at home and my computer is critical. Check in later. BYe

Well, how is it? What's the first impression? How do you like the night lighting? What is your favorite alcoholic beverage so far?

DDT, добро пожаловать на землю русскую! Did they meet you at the airport with хлеб-соль? Or at least пиво-водка? As for AC adaptor, it's not a problem, you can buy it like everywhere for about 10 rubles.

I have an adapter. I just left it in my flat!

The airport was not busy and I was surprised how little traffic there was......that is until we got into a certain part of St Petes! No one tried to get me to take their taxi etther, only one guy even asked me, while I was standing on the curb.

Well, I wandered around Nevsky Prospect last night. It is really a happening place, St Petes. The people in general are great. They look good too! I feel more at home here than I do in New York or Los Angeles. For me, it is certainly not cold, yet! I am used to spending entire days outside on the back of a horse in 30 below zero degrees Fahrenheit weather. Perhaps in January I will feel the cold.

I have a cell phone and a Metro Pass thingy and no one has asked me for my Passport or beat me up. From the look of things so far, there is more chance of that happening in L.A. or somewhere else. The one rumour that is true is that ....all Russian chicks are hot! As a matter of fact...let me take that back. I don't any more people coming here to ruin things!

Nobody speaks English to me, not even the people in whom's home I am staying. Well one bar tender last night spoke a little. At the school I am attending it is forbidden for even students to speak in their native languages. If they are heard talking English or so, there is a jar that they must put a few coins in as a fine. I must be blending in well because several people have stopped me on the street to ask me directions.

Also I have not seen anyone named "VendingMachine"

The only thing that has bothered me is the legless soldier who get on the metro train, standing straight backed on two stumps and announces, "Помогете мне, пожалуйста!" People immediately take out a few roubles and give it to him. Doesn't the government take care of their wounded soldiers?

Originally Posted by DDT

... Doesn't the government take care of their wounded soldiers?

The government doesn't care about parentless children, overkided families, sick people, soldiers with lacking bodyparts, oldmen and others.

The money they get from the government are the rediculous summs.

Besides, many people (including men with missing bodyparts, mothers with kids needing a surgery for 10000$ (Madonas), people who need to buy the ticket to go home (usually in Siberia) and even people who ask money for church restoration) are the fake beggars. They earn 3000-10000 rubles per day, but have low profit. They do not starve - that all they have, because the rest takes beggar's mafia. Most of the Moscow beggars are fake beggars. It's weird for me to see begging mother with golden ring and gilded watch on her hands, or a youngman with missing hands who wears the cross shoes and sport clothes (all clean and new) of the best trademarks.

NOt to mention that all of them speak their speeches with the same manner and repeat it word in word on the course of the weeks and monthes. I see such professional beggars in the trains.

You always have to think twice when you feel you wish to give the money to such people. They (true or fake beggars) all make you think they just make you a fool!

Originally Posted by DDT

Aw Shucks, thanks people!
Actually Klinky old boy, I will be doing a work/study program at the Derzhavin Institute and for the first month at least, doing a homestay with a lovely Russian family whose women will force feed me pelmeni and whose men force me into drinking contests, nightly. ( I hope not, because I do not want to lose my "six pack". I am a bit of a health-nut, you know.)
I will study Russian 20 hours per week. I will also be teaching English on the side.
I will certainly be posting at MR when I have a connection because I am taking with me my laptop.
(and my favourite pillow, in case I have to sleep in a stairwell)

Living in a Russian homestay is the best and worse thing ever. It can be super fun and super annoying. Is it actually a family? Most of the time it's widowed babushki who take in people. They are usually really nice and genuinely want to help you, but then there are the ones who are only interested in the money. Luckily for me, I had three great khozyaiki in my time in Russia.

if you're lucky they may try and set you up with one of their potentially hot daughters/nieces. a lady came round to check my friends meter and when she found out he was english (i.e. as soon as he opened his mouth) she tried to set him up with her daughter

Originally Posted by DDT

Nobody speaks English to me, not even the people in whom's home I am staying. Well one bar tender last night spoke a little. At the school I am attending it is forbidden for even students to speak in their native languages. If they are heard talking English or so, there is a jar that they must put a few coins in as a fine. I must be blending in well because several people have stopped me on the street to ask me directions.

what do you mean? The students don't talk, ussian in you school? why?

It means while students are studying Russian they are not supposed to speak in their native language (English in this case) even to their mates. It's a usual practice in all language schools as far as I know.

"Помогите мне, пожалуйста!"

what do you mean? The students don't talk, ussian in you school? why?

On the contrary, the students of Russian are allowed to speak only Russian and not their native languages, as I understand.

Originally Posted by DDT

The only thing that has bothered me is the legless soldier who get on the metro train, standing straight backed on two stumps and announces, "Помогете мне, пожалуйста!" People immediately take out a few roubles and give it to him. Doesn't the government take care of their wounded soldiers?

99% that he is the pro beggar who has bought the army uniform.

Originally Posted by DDT

The only thing that has bothered me is the legless soldier who get on the metro train, standing straight backed on two stumps and announces, "Помогете мне, пожалуйста!" People immediately take out a few roubles and give it to him. Doesn't the government take care of their wounded soldiers?

Это не солдат, а ряженый в солдатскую одежду. Косит под солдата, гад. Они наглые до безобразия. Расталкивают пассажиров в вагоне даже в час пик. Крышуют их бандиты, о чём уже сказал Leof. Я этим клоунам не подаю. Конкретно этого я неоднократно видел. Он заходит на "Площади Восстания" и едет в сторону "Чернышевской" и "Площади Ленина". Вместе с ним в вагон в другую дверь входит женщина, делающая вид, что она сама по себе. На самом деле она контролирует его работу и деньги.
http://www.miloserdie.ru/index.php?ss=2&s=37&id=1617

Interesting story description! I'm waiting for continuation!

Originally Posted by Юрка

Originally Posted by DDT

The only thing that has bothered me is the legless soldier who get on the metro train, standing straight backed on two stumps and announces, "Помогете мне, пожалуйста!" People immediately take out a few roubles and give it to him. Doesn't the government take care of their wounded soldiers?

Это не солдат, а ряженый в солдатскую одежду. Косит под солдата, гад. Они наглые до безобразия. Расталкивают пассажиров в вагоне даже в час пик. Крышуют их бандиты, о чём уже сказал Leof. Я этим клоунам не подаю. Конкретно этого я неоднократно видел. Он заходит на "Площади Восстания" и едет в сторону "Чернышевской" и "Площади Ленина". Вместе с ним в вагон в другую дверь входит женщина, делающая вид, что она сама по себе. На самом деле она контролирует его работу и деньги.
http://www.miloserdie.ru/index.php?ss=2&s=37&id=1617

That's where I have seen him too!