Russia isn’t as easy as we (or maybe I) thought. You get the feeling of this vast nation being largely cut of from the rest of the world, and it’s a difficult sense of being a lower class citizen based on the fact that you speak English. Or is it a white supremacist thing? I think the only time I have come close to this was from kids in Japan and I think it was also that that area was more cut off from foreigners at the time.
In Singapore and most of the places I’ve been – Philippines, Thailand, NZ, Canada etc I realize that on the whole, they are pretty cosmopolitan and have a multitude of races and colours. Dunno if it’s a snobby general look, but we are getting a pretty cold vibe from Russians. Of course there are blessed kindly exceptions to that, and its wonderful coming to a backpackers hostel in Irkutsk which is filled with Russians who are friendly, informative, and interested in other countries. But its really quite a tiring experience to not even know how to tell the time, get directions, and pick food – and then have people give you that utterly disgusted look and ignore you completely when you try. Expectations lowered to the point that a disinterested but willing to communicate attitude is a great encouragement.
Sorry its so negative.. we love Russia and our journey on the Trans Siberian has been really great. Would like to let Nick know that danger of being robbed and shut in the cabin on the train is probably an urban legend cos 1. there are no cabins on third class (the most enjoyable way to travel I think) 2. the only one who can actually lock those doors from the outside is the carriage attendant. If you get locked into the toilet (possible I suppose) other passengers needing to go will make sure you are out. Had a number of unpleasant experiences of being scolded in the toilet on the train! Its depressing to be shouted at in a different language for something you are not quite sure of and when you are um.. needing privacy.
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From my own little experience, there are a few general rules of thumbs:
ReplyDelete1. Places are desolate for a reason, that the terrain or weather makes it so that not many people will flood over to live. Hence those who are there will develop what I call a 'tribal complex'. If you aren't in the tribe, you are out and YOU have to adapt to them, not the other way round. I felt that in Copenhagen, I can only imagine the cossacks are much worse.
2. People living in harsher countries, either due to the lack of bountiful resources or war ravaged, are generally much nastier. They have to be. You don't survive in those parts by being Miss Congeniality. Take heart that they aren't TRYING to be nasty just to you, but its all they ever known.
3. Napoleon found out about Russian hospitality when he tried to conquer them. The Russian tactic was to burn everything that laid in his path, even their capital St Petersburg. Russian farmers will rather burn their own crops than sell it to the French. So Napoleon's troops starved and eventually hurried back after discovering Russia is a collection of scorched earth and hostile locals. I found this story highly instructive on the Russian psyche. They have an unmatched tolerance for suffering and low regard for foreigners.
So all in all, take it all on the chin and continue to enjoy your adventure. From your itinerary I can only assume this will get worse. E Europe are still in the throes of ethnic tensions. They don't even like people who look just like them. So the better prepared you are, the less shocking it will be.
Sharon, maybe u shld learn Chinese... then speak to them in Chinese and just add more confusion to the language thing. It could be fun...
ReplyDeleteFrancis, you write excellent commentaries!! Thankyou, very eye opening.
ReplyDeleteChinese... doesn't help here. Believe me!