......я лублю россию
For those of you unable to understand Cyrillic or can't be bothered to google translate. The title and top line mean "I think that I love Russia."
I'm beginning to warm up to Russia! Obviously I've not been utterly blinded, I know that it's a tremendously fragile country with a horrendous record on a number of issues, including human rights, democracy, corruption...etc...the list goes on! But the culture, way of life and perks of living in Moscow are definitely making me happy.
Whilst none of the Russians will ever smile at me on the subway nor willingly stop their cars to let me cross the road, the respect that they show for their elders & for women is amazing. Young people are always leaping out of their seats for their elders, and most of the time they don't even sit in seats so that they avoid giving it up entirely! Women are treated respectfully and supported for both choosing to be mothers or to be working women.
I can walk along the street feeling comfortable (apart from my niggling uncomfortability when passing a policeman) and safe. There are no groups of youths congregating on the street making ordinary people feel like victims. The number of times I walked home past youths along the Holloway Road and feared for my life!
Young people and middle aged people I've approached for help with translations or other such small things have been willing to help me, especially if it means practicing their English! It's only the older people who are a tad disgruntled to help you out (perhaps they think they're still living in the Cold War...). Even my route from the station which has no street lighting doesn't faze me.
There is also a deep respect for the value of the family here and family is key to everything. Russian's have large families and are all tremendously close to one an other and gather together often. They're also willing to welcome new people into their family and look after guests well! Their hospitality is wonderful.
I guess I'm experiencing a slightly jaded view of Russia because of the fact that I am a foreigner. I'm different, I've had a different life and so Russia seems different to me, and I'm utterly sure I'm also treated in a different way to regular Russians. Afterall, on December 23rd I get to leave and return to the land of the free that is England. I realize I used the word different wayyyy too much in that sentence, but you get my point!
I'm definitely enjoying Russia a whole lot more and it's a lovely country. It's such a shame that they make it so difficult to get inside! I'm so glad that I've been given this opportunity to discover such a lovely country, I just wish that more people could open up and see everything this country has to offer. It's not just the country of corruption, cheating Oligarchs and human rights violations, it's so much more. It's just a shame that all its negative aspects are so great that they block its positive aspects!
