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Hello, my name is Nicholas. I have been asked to write about my impressions of Russia and the Virginia Agency. While I can't comment on the Introduction side of the agency I am of no doubt it is also of a high standard like the tourism side, in no small part due to having most staff involved in both areas.
My Russian experience begins with an 11-hour flight from Auckland, New Zealand to Seoul, South Korea. In Seoul I have an 11-hour stop over while I wait for my connecting flight to Moscow. The flight from Seoul to Moscow takes further 9 hours.
Arriving in Moscow I was greeted by what can only be described as a very lacking international airport, clearly a relic on Soviet times and I would recommend the second airport in Moscow over Sheremetyevo if your airline can go to it. After disembarking I was very!! thankful I had chosen the "fast track" service from the agency, this saved me (judging by the queue) a good 1-2 hour delay waiting to be processed through immigration, which is the last thing I needed after 20 hours in the air.
Once through customs it was on to meet my driver (once again agency arranged) who would be transferring me to my hotel for the night while I waited for the train to Yoshkar-Ola. Moscow impressed me in its huge size and even though I spent very little time there you could just sense the city pace and the masses of people. The hotel itself was adequate and not overly expensive, but this is Moscow which being the entry point and the most prosperous City in Russia was kind of expensive even from a western point of view.
The next afternoon I was transferred from the hotel to Kazansky Railway Station. Words cannot describe this station, it is enormous. It has a distinct old world charm and with a bit of restoration I'm sure would be even more of a delight to pass through. It's major fault that I could see was the complete lack of any multi-language signage which I feel the authorities will need to address should they wish to attract more westerns to their country on a purely tourist function. Coming from a country that tourism is a major economic factor in I found this a glaring oversight.
I strongly recommend you the train to Yoshkar-Ola over flying. For me personally it was my first time on such a train equipped with sleeping compartments. I got to see much of the countryside as we passed through and at every station stop there was a chance to purchase various products from the many people selling their wares to passengers. My only regret was rather lacking Russian language abilities, which I'm sure would have made the journey times better being able to converse more clearly with those sharing my cabin. One more thing to be aware of is the 53-ruble charge for blankets you will need to pay on top of ticket price that is unless you like sleeping without one.
Once I. arrived in Yoshkar-Ola my organizing agent Anastasia or "Nastya" as her friends call her met me at the station. With her was Oleg who would end up with being my driver for all my tourist activities outside of Yoshkar-Ola. A word of warning, under no circumstances attempt to drive in Russia. Leave it to the locals; as from I saw there is a distinct code of conduct on Russian roads. The only problem was, I was unable to figure it out in the 1 month I was here. From the station I was taken to the apartment which I would call home for the next month I had chosen a 1 bedroom apartment which had all the necessities of home..
My first agency arranged trip was to the city of Kazan. Situated in the neighboring republic of Tatarstan and on the banks of the mighty Volga River. It's a very modern city due in no small part to its oil driven wealth, its authorities have managed to a wonderful mix of old and new and its Kremlin is a must see for any visitor to the region. My guide for this was Alyona who has a wonderful knack of presenting herself as more of a friend than a conductor marching you through a routine. As luck would have it William, an American working at the agency currently, also accompanied us for this trip. Our driver for this trip was also Oleg who luckily enjoys music just as much as I do, so even though we knew very little about each other's language we could find a common interest in music. It would seem not only mathematics is a universal language.
On the way back from Kazan we visited the Raifa Monastery with a history dating back to the 16th century, it was restored recently after years of neglect and plundering during the communist era. I found this monastery to be a wonderful spiritual place and even though I am not a religious person I could not help but feel humbled inside its walls. While here remember to have a drink from the water shrine, which quite refreshing is said to also, cure many ills.
Once back in Yoshkar-Ola I made plans to have some basic Russian lessons, to my surprise these were to be conducted by Alyona, my guide of the previous day. The course itself has been very helpful and has given me a solid base with which I can continue with further once back in New Zealand. It is a 1 on 1 course for 5 2-hour lessons and well worth the investment if you have the time.
While Yoshkar-Ola doesn't have the population of Kazan or its wealth I found it to be a pleasant and friendly city. I failed to have a single bad experience during my 1-month stay, which says a lot for its population and the general manners most Russians have instilled from a early age. The central area of Yoshkar-Ola has everything in walking distance while the central market is wonderful for day to day shopping and anything else you could possibly want. The only downside to shopping in Russia is not being able to view goods in a store from outside, most buildings have very little advertising and window shopping' as we call it in New Zealand is most definitely a completely foreign concept hare.
One very important facility for me was Internet access and once again Yoshkar-Ola is well served in this area. There are a number of cafes so emailing is not a problem. I personally preferred the cafe, which had English versions of windows on their PC's so tended to use this one.
Ice cream, I get a very strong feeling that Russians love ice cream. It is everywhere; you can walk around the downtown area and see numerous ice cream stalls. Personally I found the ice cream to be wonderfully creamy and a lot like ice cream back home. On the subject on food I must say that while it can be rather bland at times it is always fresh and sure beats the pants off a bigmac and fries. Alyona thought I was rather weird in buttering my bread and I soon learned Russian bread needs no such addition as it has a quality all of its own. Now I can only imagine the looks I'll get from my New Zealand friends, as I don't put butter on my bread out of habit back in New Zealand.
My next agency arranged activity was horse riding. Unfortunately for me it was ruined by rain, but it was redeemed by the chance to see rural Russia. Also the rain provided us a chance to use rec room and play a little Russian billiards. Let me tell you this is absolutely nothing like any other slate table game I have played. Huge balls and small pockets make a steady hand and a good aim a must. For the trip I was accompanied by 2 couples and Nick from the agency, Nick once again re-enforced the personal touch that that resounds throughout the agency with his outgoing nature, excellent English and good local knowledge.
Next of my activities was a trip to Cheboksary. Once again my guide was Alyona and driver Oleg. The city itself was very impressive with good roads (kind of lacking in Yoshkar-Ola) and a wonderful central water area. It is also very striking with its clean, tidy appearance. The city's museum is very good and has extremely knowledgeable staff. Of peculiar interest to me was its World War II exhibit. Having had a very British (American slant during schooling, it was indeed very enlightening for me to listen to what our museum guide was saying (translated through Alyona). Also it was fortunate Oleg too had extensive knowledge on this period in Russia.
I now feel quite strongly that my country's teaching about this period needs a total reformat, to ensure that our young people realize just how much Russia as a whole sacrificed to defeat the Nazi's. Most of it on its own fighting the cream of Nazi Germans battle hardened troops. I personally believe that the world owes Russia a great debt for its role during WW II. I find it kind of ironic that the strength of communist Russia and its people helped save western democracy from Nazi Germany.
During my final weekend in Yoshkar-Ola I was able to see some Russian nightlife thanks to Alyona and her friends. The club itself "Faraon" was impressive providing not only a bar and dance floor but also a casino, bowling and billiards room so it is a complete night out. The most standout thing for me was being frisked before entering the complex, a completely alien concept for me.
Russia is a fast changing country with a wonderful outgoing population that is quickly coming to grips with modern western ways. Having said this they are still able to maintain a very Russian outlook and deep respect for those that have sacrificed to make their nation one of the worlds greatest. Although it's currently going through a transitional period I am of no doubt it will emerge stronger than ever once again a major force on the global landscape.
I personally feel very privileged to have visited Russia and met many wonderful people away from the standard tourist fare of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. My heartfelt thanks goes out to the Virginia agency for its services and I cannot put into words the gratitude I have for Alyona, Nastya, Nick and Oleg who without I know my trip would not have been ? success I feel it has been. Also I thank the many shop assistants around Yoshkar-Ola for putting up with the idiot foreigner butchering their language as I attempted to buy day-to-day items. Russia is a land of extremes that has forever left her mark on me. It will be with a heavy heart that I say "До свидания" to her as the planes wheels leave the tarmac and I begin my 20.000 km journey home.
Nicholas Timms
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