russian style

[jj]

well, I am going to make the plunge and have tickets to go to Volgograd to meet a lady and site-see.  I have a question: What is difference between "russian style" apartment and "western style " apartment?  I may need to stay in a russian style for a few days. -jj

[groovlstk]

Congrats, I think it's a good experience to know first-hand how the woman (or women) you're meeting live on a day-to-day basis. You'll have a new-found appreciation for western amenities.

Your Russian-style flat may:
-Have a centralized hot water heater shared by your neighbors, meaning it's anyone's guess as to when you'll have hot water.
-Very likely your bed will be a sofabed, which can be very uncomfortable.
-Probably won't have a washer.
-May not have a thermostat as your heat will likely be controlled by the city's regulator.

[BillyB]

Western style apartments are more modernized to a western tourist expectations. Your stay at a Russian style apartment could be a memorable one. Don't worry, enjoy the cultural difference.

Have fun on your trip.

[jinx13]

JJ,

  Did you contact Anastasya Agency about an apartment? I stayed in 2 different places in Volzhsky, one was slightly western, furniture anyway, and the other one (near Lenin Square) was Russian, looked like an old lady lived there. I liked the Western apartment better, but the Russian one had a better location and was far cheaper, $35 a day I think.

 The best plan would be to find one as close to your girl as possible, maybe within walking distance. That way you can avoid cabs if you just want to say a quick hello, or have dinner at her place. If you do use a driver, call Anastasya, her husband Igor is a very cool guy, and funny too. Their rates are really cheap, and he will wait for you while you are out dining, or he will make arrangements to pick you up later.

 The only reason I keep advising you to use them is because they took very good care of me, not too many guys go to Volzhsky, so I'm just trying to help. Tell Nastya that David from San Francisco sent you, she will take care of you 

[Jet]

Your Russian-style flat may:

-- have the standard 3'x3' kitchen
-- have the rust colored water that only turns clear after running it for a few minutes
-- have a coffin sized elevator if it has any elevator at all
-- be completely devoid of any closets at all
-- have more locks on the front door than an average apartment building has on all it's doors here in the west
-- have the charming soviet style wallpaper that was surely installed during Stalin's tenure
-- share the telephone wires with the apartment next door if it has any phone at all

Keep a good sense of humor and you'll have a great trip

[Turboguy]

Right on Jet,

Of course a few other things are if there is no hot water, don't worry about it, just wait until about October and then you may have hot water at least some of the time.

If you need to use the toilet don't go to the bath room,  there will only be a tub and a sink with one fauctet that swings between the two.  Figuring out how to take a shower without water going everywhere is a big challenge.

Speaking of toilets, has anyone ever figured out the logic to the shelf toilet design and can anyone tell me how to get the lid off to try to fix the constant running with the chrome knob coming up the middle and preventing the lid from being removed.

If you get bored climbing the endless stars you can occuply your mind by trying to decide what smells worse, the smell of urine or the smell of vomit.   At least there are careful not to have those smells out in the tree'd area outside the apartment because that is where they sit and drink their beer so they wouldn't want that to smell bad with a hallway so handy.

Don't think for a minute that they don't have thermostats to regulate the heat.  They just call them windows there.  Too hot, open window, to cold, close window.  What could be more simple.   

Don't think for a minute that those goofy things they stick in the outlet and put a tablet or wafer in will kill the mosquetos will keep you biteless.   You would have to nuke the whole country to kill the quantity of those little critters that they have there.   Bring lots of off and maybe a bee keepers suit. 

[jb]

It is also not uncommon for "Russian style" apts to share kitchens and bathrooms with two or even three other flats.  They were into "communal" living in thoise days.

[Rvrwind]

and can anyone tell me how to get the lid off to try to fix the constant running with the chrome knob coming up the middle and preventing the lid from being removed.

LMFAO Yeah I can TG.
The knob on the top screw's off. You may have to pull it up (flush) & hold the rod below the chrome knob & Unscrew the knob (some are so rusty this can be a chore in itself) then you can remove the lid & proceed with your repair. When puting it back together the same proceedure must be employed to replace the chrome knob.
As for the the shelf toilets I have heard of several different explanations but the most common seems to be to examine your excriment. Apperantly many illnesses can be detected in this manner. I'm no Doctor so coudn't say for sure how true that is.
When they are replaced nowadays due to remodling or whatver they use the more famiiar style that we are used too, the shelf toilets have gone he way of the DoDo bird!

[BillyB]

Thanks for the home improvement tips Richard. They may come in handy for jj as long as he brings a set of tools. LOL. But by no means should one complain about the crappy toilets. I've been to places where one has to squat and aim for the hole in the ground. FSU toilet paper can be rough. Things are better now. There was a time when toilet paper was hard to come by but things are better now. For a time, I kept a 1/4 roll of toilet paper(just in case) in my camera bag when walking about. You might also bring something to prevent diarrhea. I never had any problem with the food but others have and having too much lower bowel movement could ruin your date with a woman.

jj, keep an open mind and try to enjoy your new experience. You'll be  better man and have a new appreciation for all that you've taken for granted.

[Turboguy]

When I came back from my first Russia trip long ago I brought a sample of toilet paper from my hotel in Perm. I asked everyone at home to guess what it was. No one ever guessed right. Wallpaper was the most common guess.

[Rvrwind]

Things are way better than that now, LOL. At least in the bigger cities, can't speak about the regions as I havn't been out & about as of late.
Here in Tver we have several modern supermarkets that even accept credit cards & cash cards. A couple of fairly new shopping centers & even Chevrolet has a showroom here, Democracy is working, slowly but it is working.
For the past two weeks they have been clamping down on the Mafia, big busts everywhere. They shut down all the big Casino's in Moscow & SPB & are making them Casino free zones. They busted several factories that are bottling illegal Vodka, apperantly there are about 30 of those that they are going to elminate.
Things are happening here, big time. Putin has had enough lip outa these guys & decided its time to show them who is really running the country & he is hittin' them hard & it don't look like he is gonna stop until its done.
They are going to build a Las Vegas style city for the idiots who think they can make money gambling & keep the Casinos out of the urban areas. In the interm, they're outa buisness.
So never fear things are changing here quickly & it won't be long before the people here will be as well off or as bad off as the west.

[jinx13]

JJ,
 
  You can also tell a "Russian Style" apartment by the Persian Rugs on the walls, not my style, but apparently they are used for insulation, keeps the place warm, but man is it ugly!

 I second the comments of Billy, bring some Immodium AD, I needed it big time my last trip, but couldn't find it anywhere. I had the runs for 3 weeks straight, and yeah it's very uncomfortable if you are out with a lady, or sightseeing (far away from the nearest toilet) Don't drink the water!  I think that's what caused my problem....after partying all night at the local club, I woke up the next day completely dehydrated and had to have some water, but was out of bottled, I drank from the tap....pretty sure there was some nice parasites in there, and I paid the price.

 Bringing your own TP is probably not a bad idea, maybe things are improving, but I didn't see it. All I saw anywhere was what we would consider gas station paper towels (very rough) used as toilet paper. Man, that stuff killed me, especially with the little problem I had going on. 

 Hope your not too scared now JJ    Don't worry, you will still have the time of your life, you can never forget the Russian experience!

[Jet]

 

So never fear things are changing here quickly & it won't be long before the people here will be as well off or as bad off as the west.

How's things with the cleanup of Georgians? In Lil's region they're clamping down hard, seizing property and giving them the boot back to their home republic. Oddly there's been like *zero* coverage of the brewhaha here in the states  ???

[Rvrwind]

Not sure on that score Jet, I know they are shipping lots of 'undesirables' outa here. Whether they are winning or not, I don't know. They are also tightening up the bordes to the former republics & trying to keep the riff raff out.
TG you can buy decent toilet paper in any Supermarket here & even in the Rynook it is availae in some booths. I still see some folks buying the sandpaper though, LOL.
My biggest beef is lightbulbs in the hallways. If I don't buy them & replace them nobody will. I only do our floor though & to he!! with the rest of the building. They have no concept of how bulding management should operate & what they are responsible for, but boy oh boy, just be late with the rent & see what happens, my neigbor found out firsthand.

[Turboguy]

Yes, I agree, the toilet paper has come a long way since my first trip.   I brought my own for the next few trips and then quit bothering.   Some still leaves a lot to be desired but it is at least usable.  It seems like lots of things have changed since that first trip.  There are lots that still need some improvement.

[wendaaaal]

how 'bout the "luxury" apartments with the gaz "kalunkas"?...POOF!! there goes your eyebrows!

[Rvrwind]

TG I don't recall offhand when the last time was you were here but things have changed way more than you know. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.
Two years ago I couldn't find Lasagna Noodles or Spaghetti sauce, now I can. More things are coming from the west & showing up on the shelves. Shopping at Paterson Supermarket is no different than shopping at the local Safeway back in Canada. And thats just in little Tver, Moscow has gone even further with new modern malls & lots of new apartment buildings.
The one thing I noticed that still hasn't changed is every jewelry store still has an armed guard, some with just pistols, but others with Kalashnikovs, no sense of humor those boys, LOL.
Our office is right across the street from the central bank depository. Whenever a truckload of money is coming or going you'd think the National Guard landed on our doorstep.    Good protection for us though, LOL.

[viking]

RV

I dont' remember where I heard this, but I remember someone telling me that the Governor of SPB, Matvienko Valentina Ivanovna, is trying to improve the 'reputation' of her city and is also interested in removing pro-daters who prey on the male tourist. How you heard anything about this as well?

[SANDRO43]

I dont' remember where I heard this, but I remember someone telling me that the Governor of SPB, Matvienko Valentina Ivanovna, is trying to improve the 'reputation' of her city and is also interested in removing pro-daters who prey on the male tourist. How you heard anything about this as well?

I should be VERY interested, too, if this is true, since I should like to report to some SPB authority the thoroughly scamming operations of a certain SPB agency.
(Matvienko's email address would be HIGHLY appreciated :crackthewhip: :seething:).

[Albert]

Immodium is OK for minor problem, but if it goes on past one day, you will be much farther ahead to take CIPRO which is a prescription medicine that kills the undesirable bacteria in your digestive tract.  It has just gone generic, so now costs much less than before.

My Jewish friends tell me that it is the habit of Jewish mothers to check out your PooPoo (they will continue this far into your adulthood if you allow them) to see if your diet needs any modification.  The shelf type toilets facilitate this.

I still carry few small rolls of toilet paper with me.  Fold them flat and stick in back pocket, etc.  Sure you can get it at many places, but what about the times when you arrive at your apt and haven't yet gone to the store.  And what about the toilets in public places and even nice restaurants that won't have decent (or any) toilet paper.

[viking]

Sandro

The Honorable Mrs. Valentina Matvienko

Governor of Saint Petersburg

City Administration

Smolny

Saint Petersburg, Russia 193060

I also need to PM you on this.

[RESQU]

JJ-

Congrats on your decision to take the plunge.  I spent 10 days in Volgograd in June and it was great.  If you are a WWII history buff it is incredible.  Volgograd was formerly Stalingrad.  I had an English speaking tour guide who was a actual survivor of the battle of Stalingrad she is a must hire for anyone into war history.  I had a new Western style Apt. on the main strip and it was excellent.  If you have not booked your flight from Moscow to Volgograd yet, I would suggest S7 airlines over Aeroflot for domestic travel.  PM me if you want any info on the city.  I used Karmen agency for the Apt. and airport transfers and they were great.  If you stay in the city you will not need taxis or a driver.  Have a great trip!

[groovlstk]

Before you fly S7, you might want to have a look at this piece from The Exile:

http://www.exile.ru/2006-September-08/the_roving_russophobe.html

The most disturbing part:

On that fateful flight from Moscow to Irkutsk, reports were that three people died on the plane that did not appear on any passenger list. Presumably they had slipped someone a few dollars to get onto the plane. Pretty extraordinary given that two years before, two of the same airline's planes were blown up in mid-air by Chechen suicide bombers who had paid just $30 to get on board without a security check, boarding at the same airport, Domodedovo.

[Shadow]

Before you fly S7, you might want to have a look at this piece from The Exile:

http://www.exile.ru/2006-September-08/the_roving_russophobe.html

The most disturbing part:

On that fateful flight from Moscow to Irkutsk, reports were that three people died on the plane that did not appear on any passenger list. Presumably they had slipped someone a few dollars to get onto the plane. Pretty extraordinary given that two years before, two of the same airline's planes were blown up in mid-air by Chechen suicide bombers who had paid just $30 to get on board without a security check, boarding at the same airport, Domodedovo.

It it more likely that these three people needed to 'disappear' than that they were actually on that plane.

[Rvrwind]

RV

I dont' remember where I heard this, but I remember someone telling me that the Governor of SPB, Matvienko Valentina Ivanovna, is trying to improve the 'reputation' of her city and is also interested in removing pro-daters who prey on the male tourist. How you heard anything about this as well?

Can't say as I have viking. Phil might know more about that as he lives in SPB.