I am back HOME - from Moscow

[AnastassiaAsh]

Well, i have returned from my Moscow trip recently. Stayed there for 3 weeks. I had to go back because of my father’s death in December and take care of the apartment i grew up in. This trip was the most difficult of all the trips i had in my life. We were doing three major things at the same time: remodeling, inheritance and utility bills. So it was more of a business trip than anything else. I didn't really have time to ‘see Moscow’ other than two trips to see my friends.

My impressions – i am totally confused and sad. I think it became worse. Before my trip i was trying to prepare myself somehow but not even close. The population tripled it seems, traffic is the worst ever, i felt like i am in some Shanghai or something… As always poor became poorer and rich became richer. I could hardly see pure muscovites, the city now is populated mostly by newcomers, thus much less Russians themselves. I felt really strange because of that.

In other words, i am absolutely happy i don't live there anymore. Sad. But that's the truth.

On the other hand i was very glad to see my friends. They told me i didn't change which is good i suppose. 

I don't know what else to say other than I was very happy to come home and see my husband and son at last. I was happy to come to the place and country where it is possible not only to exist but live and build your life as you see it in your dreams, work hard and make your dreams reality, where there are nice Christian people around you, where you breath in fresh air and are more or less confident about your and your family's future. Where men can be true gentlemen and don't suffer from typical ‘Russian sins’ – where there is no barbarism, but the 21st century….

It is in a way amazing how things happened in my life. All i wanted is to find the best husband for me and give him everything i could, but God saw it differently, HE had a bigger picture for me and gave me two husbands and a totally new life. Gave me – thus all of my future generations to come… 

[AnastassiaAsh]

I will try to attach some pictures:

[AnastassiaAsh]

Some more:

[KenC]

Anastassia,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and photos with us.  I find it interesting that you used the word "barbarism" in your post. much the same as Lena did on her last trip back to Russia.  Hmmmm?

If Moscow is full of non Russians, who is there?

I thought the porta potties in Red Square was a bit tacky, but I gues unavoidable.
Welcome back home.
KenC

[AnastassiaAsh]

Hi KenC,

Why is it not surprising that you were the first to answer my post?  Thank you SO much! I was waiting for you. 

Barbarism...perfect word for that environment. And all Russian men are like apes. 

No Russians, anybody you want but the Russians - peoples from other republics and countries, doing business as always.

[Mir]

peoples from other republics and countries, doing business as always

Perhaps they were there to chase Russian girls

[Mishenka]

Thank you Anastassia, This was a real treat for me to see your photo's.. In a recent email from my friend Asya in Moscow she also told me how over populated it is now with over 17 million people included in whole area.  I can only imagine how it has changed since I was there in 99'.  I asked her if there were any new men in her life and she said no,, she doesnt need a man.  Ive asked her for some advice in relationships and her answer was ,, she is not the best one to give advise. Now I can see why.  I will go visit her soon and have a reunion of friends getting together. She wants to come here to visit, and I would like that too but its so difficult to get a visa even to visit.

Misha

[AnastassiaAsh]

Perhaps they were there to chase Russian girls

I am sure!   

[Lily]

I am also a newcomer to Moscow. After I got my U.S. diploma in hand as well as some money saved from my American stipend, I left my home city Samara in order to look for my dream job in Moscow.

Many of my friends and colleagues came to Moscow from their cities as soon as they became able to offer something meaningful on the job market.

That's why Moscow grows and will grow even more.

[mspanky]

Lily,

 Your new picture on the Avitar is absolutely gorgeous. The haircolor suits you so well. You will have too many men interested and will have to beat them off with a stick! 

[2tallbill]

NastAsya welcome back!

Lilly, Your new photo is great!

Bill

[Gator]

Anastasia,

Welcome back.  I share your sentiments regarding the traffic and people.  This is something like the 1849 gold rush days in San Francisco.  Everyone is moving to Moscow to make their fortune.

I am appalled by the fact that the planning is so bad in a country with strong central government .  I heard Russians would not take a crap without a plan; yet, the traffic situation is dreadful.

I have been going to Moscow a few times a year for over five years, and the change in that short period is remarkable.  More people are able to buy a car and more people are moving into Moscow.

The metro is not the answer as it is near capacity.  Soon they will need subway pushers to pack all riders into cars. Literally, I feel like a sardine during peak hours.

Parking!  Forget parking.  And I remember in 1987 driving up to the gates of the Kremlin and parking our car, free of charge.  Parking problems exist not just at your place of work or shopping, but at your apartment building upon returning.

It depresses my Moscow woman as she must drive in this every day.  She lives within the outer ring, and even there the traffic is horrible.  If we need to go to center city, plan on nearly two hours each way.  And now she tells me the nearby highway bridge over the rail lines is being repaired, reducing the number of lanes.  People are complaining vehemently. 

She says there is talk of limiting the number of cars that can enter center city.  If implemented, one would need an expensive permit to cross certain rings at certain times. 

Something must be done, because it will get worse, much worse.  Mega residential complexes are under construction because so much money can be made.  It would seem that the government would enact policies to encourage people to move to provincial cities and discourage influx to moscow.  For example, stop building condos; however, that would eliminate some fat profits and bribes certain people are making.

BTW, I hear Shanghai is just as bad.  Welcome to the new world order.  Thank goodness for my little piece of heaven in sunny Florida where the palm trees move in the warm wind and it takes me only 5 minutes to get to my country club for a round of golf and a cold beer afterwards.

[AnastassiaAsh]

Thank you, guys.

I also think that Lily's photo is awesome! Hey, pretty lady, did you get an email from me some time ago?

I have been gone for several months from this board and i can see so many new and nice members appeared, also Jazzy married, Turbo's girl made over here at last, several guys got professionally scammed again, some found thier women and maybe even got engaged...RWDpedia is updated and other little things...nice to be back here too and read posts of people who became almost dear...  I read another 'love-hate' discussion of Jazzy and KenC and that made me smile more than anything.  I didn't realize how much i missed you all.

[KenC]

Anasatasia,
Yeah same ol, same ol for the most part, but you may have missed I/O got married, Scotts wife came from Ukraine and Kuna's girl arrived in Oz.
KenC

[wendaaaal]

Anastassia,
 Thanks for sharing. They say "you can never go home". Change is expected, but sometimes the pace of change is overwhelming. Lucky for you you're "grounded" with your new life and family here. You'll always have the good memories of your past life there, and that should be enough as you go forward.
Wendell in Austin

[timothe]

...BTW, I hear Shanghai is just as bad.  Welcome to the new world order...

This is what happens when the rising tide of a thriving world economy meets centralized government.  The government needs to create X number of jobs each and every day in the provinces to keep the people from flocking to the major cities.  In China, the problem is particularly bad which is why the Chinese government has opened their doors to foreign investment.  But I would imagine that the longer it takes for Russia to open it's borders to foreign investment, the worse their major cities will become.  Of course, the low birth rate and migration helps Russia somewhat, but the problem is still likely to get worse, not better. 

[Rvrwind]

Welcome Back Nastya!
I share your sentiment about Moscow. I more likened it to a zoo myself. A lot of wild animals & no zookeeper!!
I miss Tver though....
By the way Ken...

If Moscow is full of non Russians, who is there?

CANADIANS!!!!!
 

[Lily]

Thank you, guys.

I also think that Lily's photo is awesome! Hey, pretty lady, did you get an email from me some time ago?
 

Thank you Anastasia and everyone else for compliments! Yes I did receive your email, but sorry I did not reply as I found another solution that time.

In Moscow, I have a very interesting and fulfilling life, that I could not have in my home city. Here I can have like-minded friends. I get invitations to the events that could never take place in Samara. Every day I walk on clean streets (yes!) without a fear to get my shoes stuck in street dirt. There is really some polution in the air in Moscow, but when I visited Samara a few weeks ago, I became almost sick of the airdust accumulated in my throat and nose. In Moscow, I have a variety of things that allow me to grow as personality and to acquire new skills.

I agree that there are many aliens of some oriental, southern, asian origin in Moscow now. All the way when I hear people talking, I notice a regional accent. But really I never pay attention to this picture. I just don't think about it as far as they don't present any direct threat to me. On the other hand, I relate to them. If I'd be them, I would come to Moscow, too, and try to survive.

[Jazzyclassy]

Welcome back Nastya:) good to see you in the forum again thank you for congratulations for my recent marriage in the other thread very sweet of you

and I also want to compliment Lily , it is a gorgeous hairdo and nice colour you look fantastic

what can I  tell about my home city Moscow, I agree with Nastya about many things and as she has not been living in Moscow for some years and of course some things which  maybe were common to her, became sort of wildness and something like barbarism as how she pointed , Moscow is still charming in its own way

Remembering Moscow when I was studying at school and now when I am working and attending University, it has changed for the worse no doubt, but our World has changed for the worst, there is nothing we can do about it as that is the current of life.
 Like life had began when Jesus created earth , things on earth and Adam and Eve , everything was perfect till they broke the rules and started living how they wanted not listening to God's will. Then after people became huge sinners and life went upside down , there was great flood, after which nothing has left on earth except Noah and his family and animals he took with him to the ark and then again new better life began.

So why I was telling this cos I think that Moscow is just rolling and rolling  into that deep dark hole somewhere very dirty and corrupted and should come this moment when it will be just ruined to survive and revive again that is all normal, Spiral of  Life , events are being repeated in this or that way .
I used to criticize Moscow all the time and just telling that I hate it and so on , but well it is my home city I can not really curse it and execute. The thing that Moscow is full of everybody but Russians it is really true, and I am not pointing at Lily or something I have no objections towards our Russian towns like Samara and Siberia and other Russian people who are coming to work in Moscow , we actually love those people. People are worried about those non russian who are expanding Moscow so much, installing their culture and customs in Our City , making us feel foreigners in our own Moscow.

 The prices are horrible; Milk and all those milk products are exclusively expensive. I really do not drink Milk, especially moscow milk made of genetically modified elements. Food is extremely expensive, also they are planning to raise metro ticket prices, so it will be even worse, Moscow traffic it is like ants crawling into a big ball, I think it is even worse than in India

But if you are working and striving  you wont die from hunger in Moscow, but you wont be able to live in luxury with your high educations as nowadays Moscow does not value educated people, everywhere you go , you can see those huge fat bosses, who hardly finished 10 classes. That's the reality

Moscow was much more better in the days of my childhood though it was already the years of Gorbachev's Perestroika and that time my parents cursed and blamed him , though if we talk about Moscow now and then now Moscow is completely crazy.

I feel that soon things should be somehow changed if not for the worse maybe it will be completely different, cos such kinda situation can not be always like that, people are very disappointed with the regime and are ready for any revolution ......

[KenC]

Jazzy,
Thank you for your valued insight on Moscow!  I am curious about your statement:

Moscow does not value educated people, everywhere you go , you can see those huge fat bosses, who hardly finished 10 classes. That's the reality

Care to expand on what you mean?
KenC

[Misha]

Jazzy,
Thank you for your valued insight on Moscow!  I am curious about your statement:

[/ Moscow does not value educated people, everywhere you go , you can see those huge fat bosses, who hardly finished 10 classes. That's the reality
quote]
Care to expand on what you mean?
KenC

Direct translation from Russian. Would mean they barely graduated from high school.

[Jazzyclassy]

sorry I made a little mistake, yeah I meant they hardly got certificate of high  education  not telling about any higher education

[KenC]

sorry I made a little mistake, yeah I meant they hardly got certificate of high  education  not telling about any higher education

Jazzy,
I was not trying to point out any mistakes, but to ask your opinion on why you think Mocow doesn't value education?  And why you think that only low educated people are the bosses?
KenC

[Jazzyclassy]

well cos people without education they always have helping hand, rich  mom, dad rich relatives some lovers and so on , they easily bribe different structures, they have no conscience , they are cheaky and can step on people's careers , they cheat on people for example one talented person gave his idea and that sneaky bastard for example has stole it showed it as his own one, won some money for fulfiling this idea and here you go, it is everywhere like that!
Talent and hard working people are no longer popular and modern, all you need is being cheaky, to be able to lick the other bosses's arses and  you will be successful , nothing else is required!

[KenC]

well cos people without education they always have helping hand, rich  mom, dad rich relatives some lovers and so on , they easily bribe different structures, they have no conscience , they are cheaky and can step on people's careers , they cheat on people for example one talented person gave his idea and that sneaky bastard for example has stole it showed it as his own one, won some money for fulfiling this idea and here you go, it is everywhere like that!
Talent and hard working people are no longer popular and modern, all you need is being cheaky, to be able to lick the other bosses's arses and  you will be successful , nothing else is required!

Jazzy,
That is quite a negative viewpoint of things in Moscow.  Do you believe that the majority of people in the positions od power (Bosses as you say) are undeserving?
KenC