What I love about Russia and other stuff

  

There is still nothing like a nice cup of tea, with milk.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the odd shot of vodka too to get you in the mood.

  

I do apologise for the stereotypes depicted above.  Just kidding...No I don't!

Nine months in

I can't believe that I have already spent just over nine months in Russia.  It really has flown by.  I must be having too much fun or working hard.  Or both.  I have decided that I want to stay for at least another year in Saint Petersburg.  One year here is just not nearly enough.  When I first arrived I experienced the initial euphoria of being in a new country, which gave way to certain feelings of frustration after the novelty of Russian life had worn off.  Then, over the last few months I have grown an affection for my host country and have a renewed interest in its language and culture.  As I have mentioned before in previous posts, living in Russia has its own particular annoyances, but overall I have been overwhelmed by the friendliness and generosity of the Russian people I have met thus far.  I would also like to take the opportunity to pay a wee tribute to my ex-patriot and Russian colleagues and friends who have been outstanding in making me feel welcome and a valued member of the teaching staff.  And also my students who have made teaching a pleasurable and rewarding experience.  I would like to say a huge thank you to my last class; an upper-intermediate class who excelled with very good final grades indeed -  Margarita, Maria, Alexey and Tanya - well done! 

Alexey and Tanya enjoying the delights of the English Wagonwheel

So, since I have been away from the UK, have I missed anything?  And, what's keeping me in Russia?

What I miss about the UK

• Friends and family - that almost goes without saying.  And that includes my ginger furry friend, Magnus the cat.  
• Good ale - especially certain ones like Banana Bread Beer.  

Sexy beer with a hint of banana

• Cheaper, good-quality food - say what you will about food in Britain, I still like the fact that fresh food is abundant and at a reasonable price.  I could really do with some real British or Danish bacon right now.  

  

  A sexy bacon sandwich...mmm...baaaacon. 

• The English countryside - when you're in your home country you tend to take it for granted.  There is a lot to be said for the beauty of the English countryside.
• Christmas - I'm no massive fan of Christmas, especially the tacky elements, but as Russians don't really celebrate it, I did kind of miss it last year.  Mince pies, Christmas cake, stuffing - you get the picture.

What I don't miss about the UK

• My last job - Anyone who knows me knows exactly why.  The only thing I miss about teaching at the prison are my former colleagues.  Okay, not all of them, but a fair few.  
• Crap, expensive transport - almost self-explanatory.  Over-priced buses and trains that offer a poor service at an exorbitant price.  

Waiting for a crap bus?  Then, get down and boogie!

   

• Chavs - the very people who make travelling on the 'peasant-wagon' even worse.  

 

• Crime - I know that crime exists in every corner of the globe, but I think it is a huge problem in the large cities.  
• High taxes - If the chavs/criminal classes don't rob you, HM Revenue and Customs will.  And then when they are finished, your local council will take another slice out of your salary.  
• Political correctness - It's the disease that has spread over the last few decades consuming freedom of speech (and thought) as it pervades our daily lives.  So, you're not allowed to fly the English flag in England for fear of causing offence?  Well, cover me in flour and bake me for fifteen mintutes!  That is just fookin' bonkers!  I could go on about this for more than fifteen minutes...
• Negativity/moaning - Yes, I know, I'm guilty of this too.  It's such an English trait and one that just grinds you down when you have to listen to others gripe.  Even worse, when it's about nothing important.  I gripe about the wider issues (see above) 'n' shit.

What I love about Russia

• Friendly, plain-speaking people - with a no bullshit, and a no political correctness.  It's refreshing to say the least.  And yes, Russian people do appear to be cold at first, but beneath those icy exteriors, are layers of warmth and smiles. 
• Beautiful women - I think Russia has some of the most stunning looking women in the world.  I'm sure I am not the only man who holds that opinion.

• Conservative and traditional - this suits my own outlook on life - men are men, women are women and the children are allowed to be children.  Russia likes to maintain their traditions and values, much to the annoyance of western countries.  Fair play to Russia for wanting to keep their own national character.
• Eccentricity - I cannot get enough of the various eccentricities of this country; from dash-cams/stunt videos, the lack of health and safety (which can be plain bonkers at times) to just stuff you see on the street.  Oh, and the 'folk-cures' for common ailments.  

  

Sweet Jesus - I love these clips!

The Russian Fuzz stop an unroadworthy car

• Pancakes - my new favourite Russian food.
• Vodka - it's cheap, everywhere and the best in the world.
• Saint Petersburg - my host city.  It may not be my most favourite city I have been to, but it comes a very good third place after Copenhagen and Prague.
• Beautiful women - Oh, I've already mentioned it before...well, I just had to mention it again, because it is so ruddy true!

What's not so good about Russia

• Beer - it's just crap!  Most Russians who drink tend to drink more beer than vodka, but they still have not mastered the art of brewing.  It's a crying shame.
• Weather - it's like a cross between the Arctic and Manchester at times!  I do like the snow in the winter however.  But even the snow (when mixed with the grit on the pavements) can 'eat' your footwear.

   

• Dawdling - this is quite the teeth-gritting annoyance that one experiences walking behind people on the pavements and in the Metro.  FFS, speed-up will you!  
• The water supply - you shouldn't drink tap water, unless you boil it for a nice cup of English tea.  So, bottled water has to be bought, which only adds to the amount of waste you throw out.  In the summer hot water goes off for about 2 weeks, so that the water authority can carry out maintenance on the pipes.  That is not a fun experience.
• The internet service - I don't know what it is, but from time to time the internet speed slows down to a crawl, or just goes off for a few hours at a time.  It's very annoying if you're on Skype, or you've got some important stuff to do on the net.
•  Poor quality meat and vegetables - a common complain among ex-pats and native Russians alike.  Rotten vegetables, fatty, sub-standard meat (and crap bacon with two thirds fat leaving a tiny strip of actual bacon) are sold at eyebrow-raising prices.  
• Customer service - it's without a smile and it's all your fault! You have just disturbed them at the till!  Two smiles in nine months.  Have a nice day.
• Spam text messages - Ooh great!  Someone loves me.  Oh, no they don't.  They just want to bombard me with spam...a lot.
• Recycling - or lack of.  I have not seen one recycling facility here.  Everything gets thrown into the bin and thus destined for landfill.  Environmentally aware, Russia is most certainly not.  Mother Russia dumps on Mother Earth.

There you have it.  These were some of the pull and push factors that have lead me to conclude that another year in Russia is definitely a good decision.  And who knows?  May be I'll stay for a little longer beyond 2015.