My not at all stupid WOVO trip to the FSU

[Seeker]

Seeker,

What bothers me about the street people is the fact that they are so brazen.  I don't think it is a bluff. 

Midday in St. Piter on a crowded street 25m from its intersection with the main drag - a man in front of me throws a brick through a BMW window.  He reaches in, grabs a cell phone and walks away at a normal pace.

Fearing for me, my sons once showed me video clips of street fighting in Russia.  These punks fought without restraint, kicking downed opponents in the face with winter boots. 

Over 30 years ago I brawled with three Iranians on a ski slope, a brawl that started because of language and cultural misunderstanding.  As we were wrestling  while still wearing my skis, one tried to gouge out my eyeball with his thumb .  I still think how lucky I was to escape injury, although one of the Iranians did not.  A Swedish friend who was there and helped break up the fight still reminds me how bad that day could have been.

In other words, St. Piter is not a place for a tourist to be foolhardy.  If you get into a fight, something bad could happen. 

Very true words.  And it can happen anywhere, even in America... sorry the USA.   

That is why I don't fight.  I protect and defend.  Fighting gains me nothing (except possibly jail time) and as you said, it is foolhardy.  Being aware and alert to what is happening around you is 90% of it.  The rest I admit is just luck.

Of course like anyone that quotes statistics, I just pulled that one out of my a$$.  But still, that is my general impression after almost 50 years.

[innakrug]

  I don't want to come home.  I want to live here.  This is the coolest place I have ever been.

Apply for job at American Embassy in Russia First two years you would have to be in Moscow, but then you can transfer to St-Petersburg

[Seeker]

Seeker,

What bothers me about the street people is the fact that they are so brazen.  I don't think it is a bluff. 

Midday in St. Piter on a crowded street 25m from its intersection with the main drag - a man in front of me throws a brick through a BMW window.  He reaches in, grabs a cell phone and walks away at a normal pace.

Fearing for me, my sons once showed me video clips of street fighting in Russia.  These punks fought without restraint, kicking downed opponents in the face with winter boots. 

Over 30 years ago I brawled with three Iranians on a ski slope, a brawl that started because of language and cultural misunderstanding.  As we were wrestling  while still wearing my skis, one tried to gouge out my eyeball with his thumb .  I still think how lucky I was to escape injury, although one of the Iranians did not.  A Swedish friend who was there and helped break up the fight still reminds me how bad that day could have been.

In other words, St. Piter is not a place for a tourist to be foolhardy.  If you get into a fight, something bad could happen. 

And you are right... the actions of some is brazen and ignored by those around and it empowers them to try harder and do it again...  That is the sickest part.

Without trying to derail my own trip report, it is almost like business/politics in the US.  And other places of course, but my knowledge is mostly of my home country.  I guess it is just human nature to distance ourselves from the problems and pretend they don't exist.  Or blame it on something out of our control, rather than to react, stand up, and try to make things better.

Human nature is the same everywhere, and in every situation.  It is up to us as individuals to try and change that (and not get beaten down in the process of course).

[Seeker]

Yes!  Show me the women!

Sorry, I am not Jack.  I don't take pictures of women without their permission and post them.

But damn, I wanted to!

But I did ask a few, and they said yes I could take their picture.  But I still won't post them.  I have morals and in the end, I have to live with my actions.  There is much to "see" here, but it is best to see it for yourselves (as a lot of you have).  But at the same time I can't cross that line that I would ask others not to cross if I was on the other side of the fence (camera).

[Misha]

I don't take pictures of women without their permission and post them.

[Seeker]

I agree! I'm another one of the many posters than has been to St. Petersburg and reading about buildings and museums there are boring! Seeker, do you know what "RWD" stands for?

I prefer to keep the discussion conceptual, and less personal.  To protect the feelings of the people (woman) I came to see, and care about.

But I will get into more of that later.  Tomorrow is our goodbye day.  It seems best to wait until after that to get into more.

[Seeker]

Yeah what bothers me in reading about all of this is the way the public reacts.
In Seeker's tale of the two drunks, he mentioned the crowds quickly cleared away when they saw the punks making a move on him.
And then with your cellphone story, it doesn't sound like people were too anxious to get involved with the fellow.

So yes, something bad could happen if you got involved, but sitting back and watching or running away makes the thieves feel even more empowered.

Yep... exactly why I don't tolerate it (here or at home) or play into it.  We each have the power to make life better.  It is sad so few choose to use it.

[Seeker]

Apply for job at American Embassy in Russia First two years you would have to be in Moscow, but then you can transfer to St-Petersburg

Inna, that is the best advice I have ever gotten here in this forum.  Thank you.  I am not sure if they will take me, but it is worth trying for something I want and believe in.  I hadn't even thought of that, but now it will be my next goal to try and reach.

I wish there were more women here in RWD.  I mean of course there were before all of the parading peacocks drove them away (a paraphrase on a 'former' female members comment to me).  Dudes, do you realize by acting like such children (a lot of the time) you are driving away the greatest assest to this forum?

[Seeker]

Thank you Misha.  I am glad to see there is still honor here.  Not that you are the only one, but you agreed first.

[innakrug]

Inna, that is the best advice I have ever gotten here in this forum.  Thank you.  I am not sure if they will take me, but it is worth trying for something I want and believe in.  I hadn't even thought of that, but now it will be my next goal to try and reach.

I wish there were more women here in RWD.  I mean of course there were before all of the parading peacocks drove them away (a paraphrase on a 'former' female members comment to me).  Dudes, do you realize by acting like such children (a lot of the time) you are driving away the greatest assest to this forum?

You are very welcome It is what I want to do 10 years from now
http://www.pae-moscow.com/
Forgive me , but did I ever mention my name?

[Seeker]

You are very welcome It is what I want to do 10 years from now
http://www.pae-moscow.com/

Thank you!  I am sure some will give me *snip* over this (and I typed *snip*, I didn't let the forum *snip* it for me out of respect for you and your beliefs).

I am glad you are here.  Don't let anyone push you away.  Even if I don't believe what you believe in a religious sense, we ALL are better with you here.  As someone (here) once said to me, "We can't learn anything from those that agree with us".  And more and more (as I have aged) I find I learn the most from those I didn't even realize I agreed with until I heard what they had to say.

Okay that was a bit Sphinx'ish... but I hope it was understood.  By ALL of you.  Not Inna.  I think she already understands.

[Seeker]

Forgive me , but did I ever mention my name?

You might have, but in the moment, I just guessed based upon your forum name, forgive me if I was wrong.

[Daveman]

Sorry, I am not Jack.  I don't take pictures of women without their permission and post them.

But damn, I wanted to!

But it doesn't count against you in Purgatory if the women are both asleep and naked!  :evil: In fact, that in itself can be purgative... cathartic even!

<chanting>  caTHARsis caTHARsis caTHARsis!

and about the Legumarian Powers... just adding another Mystery Man to the melee!

[Seeker]

But it doesn't count against you in Purgatory if the women are both asleep and naked!  :evil: In fact, that in itself can be purgative... cathartic even!

<chanting>  caTHARsis caTHARsis caTHARsis!

and about the Legumarian Powers... just adding another Mystery Man to the melee!

 

Now on that note, I need to go to bed now... It is almost 2:00 am and I have a plane to catch tomorrow... and a 12 hour lay over in Amsterdam!   

[innakrug]

You might have, but in the moment, I just guessed based upon your forum name, forgive me if I was wrong.

Thanks for the kind words, Seeker.
And yes you are right about my name. I was surprised that you recognised it, because my name is not very common. I'll pray for your safe flight   

[Shostakovich]

and being the intellect-geek type, a target for bullies. 

Been there too?   ??? 

yet I can't bring myself to be harsh when it comes to feelings between two people. 

geek, eh?  Ya, they are the ones who are most unconscious about the mating dance.

I've had my own variant of being there.  Ah yes those halcyon days of girl-obsession - glad that's over with.

No-no the psych-chop was exaggeration, with comic and dramatic effects in view.  That's why I'm so famous!

[Seeker]

Thanks for the kind words, Seeker.
And yes you are right about my name. I was surprised that you recognised it, because my name is not very common. I'll pray for your safe flight   

Thank you Inna.  Your kind words came to my mind often in my travels.  I had a safe (but long) journey back, but I am home now.  And as much as it feels good to be home, I want so much to be back in St Petersburg.  There is so much I didn't have time to see and do, and I felt so comfortable and at home there.  I am already planning a trip back either in late June for my birthday, or early July.  Well, planning in its most earlier stages would be more accurate... more of a dream I think I can do.  Just waiting for the return/jet-lag/timezone-change daze to wear off before I commit to anything.

[Seeker]

geek, eh?  Ya, they are the ones who are most unconscious about the mating dance.

I've had my own variant of being there.  Ah yes those halcyon days of girl-obsession - glad that's over with.

No-no the psych-chop was exaggeration, with comic and dramatic effects in view.  That's why I'm so famous!

What can I say, you got that right.  But still, I think a bit of geeky innocence isn't always bad. 

[Seeker]

Okay, you all know by now I LOVED St Petersburg.

The details (some of you) asked about are about to follow...

I arrived, tired and looking like I had just crawled up from a gutter somewhere, and was met by a beautiful woman who took me on the most frightening taxi ride of my life.   

She was just what she had appeared to be... sweet, charming, a rapier wit, and fantastic eyes that seemed to draw me into her mind and thoughts.

But, in the famous saying of "?????" she just wasn't into me.  Of course I was disappointed, but that is life.  I went there knowing at best my chances of us having a relationship were 50/50.  But I felt a friendship which was much higher.  And even though I lost on the 50/50, I was right on the other part.

We still spent time together almost everyday.  You could tell she was proud of the city she lived in.    I was very thankful that she was a friend first, and even if the chemistry wasn't there, the friendship was.  She spent a lot of time with me, even going with me to the airport and waiting with me until I was ready to go through security and head back home.

She was a VERY sweet, nice, caring, classy woman.  And when she finds the man that she is 'into'.... well, he will be one very lucky man.

I am one too.  I have a wonderful friend that knows how to challenge me when I need it.  And seen things that I can't wait to see and experience again.

[Maniac999]

Thanks for the great TR, Seeker.
You are a nice guy , living in reality, not in the dream world.
U have got a great experience first, visited the nothern capital of Russia , made a friend.
Your second half is waiting for you.
Soon you will meet her!

[Seeker]

Thanks for the great TR, Seeker.
You are a nice guy , living in reality, not in the dream world.
U have got a great experience first, visited the nothern capital of Russia , made a friend.
Your second half is waiting for you.
Soon you will meet her!

Thank you Maniac (damn that sounds strange to say)   

It was the coolest experience of my life.  My only regret is that I only had one week.  But I was imposing on friends to take care of my owners.  A dog and two cats.  If you want to keep your friends, it is better not to push it.  But she has already agreed to do it again...  And the cats didn't care, only the puppy missed me.   

[Maniac999]

 I've heard , that America is the country of lonely men and dogs ...True or not?
I 've got a dog , an old, incredibly stupid , annoying Bastard, who has no idea how lucky he is, having me.
sorry for off.

[Daveman]

... an old, incredibly stupid , annoying Bastard, who has no idea how lucky he is, having me.
...

Maniac, this is not the place for another age gap discussion  :evil: 

Sorry, couldn't resist.. 

Seeker.. glad you had a great time.Sorry it didn't work out with the lady and hope it wasn't TOO much of a disappointment.  At least you got naked sleeping photos of her to help mitigate your stay at the Hotel Purgatory...

[Seeker]

Maniac, this is not the place for another age gap discussion  :evil: 

Sorry, couldn't resist.. 

Seeker.. glad you had a great time.Sorry it didn't work out with the lady and hope it wasn't TOO much of a disappointment.  At least you got naked sleeping photos of her to help mitigate your stay at the Hotel Purgatory...

No, in fact it was better than I had imagined.  I am not stupid (therefore the name of the thread).  I went into it eyes open, and as a tourist visiting a friend. 

And shhhhhh..... she doesn't know about the pictures!!!!

[Maniac999]

Maniac, this is not the place for another age gap discussion    LOL
The idea was to show u how nice am i