"An American's life in Russia" a Russia Travel Page by heplion

Russia is an enigma wrapped in a mystery hidden in a secret....Churchill

There are no foolish Russians, that is what separates us from other nations....Dostoevsky (Letters from the underground)

Well, Russia is certainly a mystery. Every time you think you understand it you learn something new and it alters your feelings. People are very complex and cannot be taken at face value, get to know them, spend time talking with them, it will be your greatest experience here!!!

And I do not know if there are foolish Russians or not, but I do believe that many people are foolish when it comes to there beliefs about this country and its people!

Some of the strange things I heard or was asked prior to leaving can be seen on my Moscow page...

Some of the strange things I have read in my work orientation and lonely planet guide will be addressed here:

1) Do not bring to many changes of clothes. Russians cannot afford to have many clothes so if you come to work with a different suit it will make your co-workers uncomfortable.

What a bunch of BULL!!! I brought two suitcases and have been here for a month and a half...I HATE my clothes, I have been wearing the same things over and over and all the Russians are soooo well dressed. I look and feel like a slob now!!!

2) You will not be able to get things like contact lens solution and tampons in Russia.

Well, I haven't been shopping for tampons, however I do know that they sell contact lens solution and my co-worker tells me that all female hygiene products are indeed available here!!!

3) Always carry a plastic bag with you; it will help you fit in as almost all Russians carry a plastic bag around in case they buy something.

Well, this may have been true at one time, as the stores didn't use to give bags to customers and if they did they charged extra for them, but now, that is not the case. Some Russians do carry them around though. I sometimes carry a canvas bag if I have to go grocery shopping and am buying stuff in cans, but I feel a bit silly carrying an empty plastic bag around with me :)