Thread: Hello

I am a new member. I'm an american who lives in New York city. on Thursday I returned from Moscow. One month ago I flew from NYC via Paris to Moscow - then went to St Petersburg, Kiev, Odessa, Chiesenau, Bucharest, places outside of Bucarest in Romania, then to Sofia and places outside of Sofia in Bulgaria. Returned to Moscow for three days then back to New York.
I am very happy to be home, but I was particularly fascinated by Moscow. The history is so intense and so present.
First I went into the Kremlin and the exhibits. Later I just walked around the Kremlin and watched a soldier. He was staring at girls on the other side of the fence who were taking each other's photographs for posterity. Ten years ago I dont think there were many tourists taking photographs at the Kremlin. 15 years ago people probably would be arrested for taking photographs, but I don't know. I am no history expert. Russia is this huge country with so much going on at every level. I still read the Moscow Times. I am still trying to learn Russian, but it is hard when one is not in the country.
By the way, please don't attack me because I'm American. I do not agree with what Bush is doing. I wish I had the power to stop so much suffering.
I think the people of Russia have been through so much. So much has been inflicted on them. I met a russian woman through the Moscow Times who is an oceanographer, but works as a secretary. I saw a classical piano conert at the Moscow Conservatory Great Hall. The concert and catalog cost 3 dollars. Then I went to a restaurant and had a quiche and hot chocolate afterwards. That cost 8 dollars. That doesn't make sense. I don't understand the economy.
If there is anyone out there who can enlighten me, please do.
Regards, Mary

Hi Mary and welcome.

Originally Posted by mary

Ten years ago I dont think there were many tourists taking photographs at the Kremlin.

Ten years? There were more, I believe

15 years ago people probably would be arrested for taking photographs

Of Kremlin? No. If you are not doing something suspicious at least.

By the way, please don't attack me because I'm American. I do not agree with what Bush is doing. I wish I had the power to stop so much suffering.

Don't make excuses. It doesn't matter what you think of that all, for only those who 'attack' people for that are really stupid.

I saw a classical piano conert at the Moscow Conservatory Great Hall. The concert and catalog cost 3 dollars. Then I went to a restaurant and had a quiche and hot chocolate afterwards. That cost 8 dollars. That doesn't make sense. I don't understand the economy.

Very simple. People en mass are not ready to pay for the culture. And it's not as 'cool' as to have dinner in a fancy reastaurant.

Quote:

By the way, please don't attack me because I'm American. I do not agree with what Bush is doing. I wish I had the power to stop so much suffering.

I'd say 70 % of us are american, or at least live/ are studying in america . ((Я живу в алматы казахстане. (я желаю))

Originally Posted by mary

15 years ago people probably would be arrested for taking photographs, but I don't know.

Well, when I was in Moscow for the first time, it was 1982, my father took photos on Red Square absolutely free. 15 years ago I also was in Moscow and saw a foreigners on Red Square with cameras and they were ready for shooting, it was the 1st time i heard a "live sound" of the words "sh@t" and "f@#k", they were waiting for somebody else and that guy was late.

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Quote:

By the way, please don't attack me because I'm American. I do not agree with what Bush is doing. I wish I had the power to stop so much suffering.

I'd say 70 % of us are american, or at least live/ are studying in america . ((Я живу в алматы казахстане. (я желаю))

Have we had that poll? Time for a new one - curious if 70% are USsian. I would have thought 50% seem to be Russian

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

I'd say 70 % of us are american, or at least live/ are studying in america .

BOTH of you?

This is a lively group! thanks for your responses
Mary