Saturday, June 06, 2009
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
TGIF AND THE WEEK IS OVER: I can't believe I posted last on Tuesday! Where has the week gone? I have tried to pack in so much thinking I was leaving on Thursday. However, I discovered at 5 p.m. the night before my departure that a friend of mine from 1989 is getting married - ON FRIDAY! So, I couldn't imagine departing one day short of his wedding. I invited myself and changed my ticket. Now, what do you do for a Russian wedding? I have no gift, he has more money than I will ever have in 10 lifetimes nad I haven't met his future wife. Hmm...a weekend at Greenwood Farm? I thought of that and may create a little "gift certificate" and find someplace to print it out. That would at least mean that I would see him again if he wants to redeem his gift!
The wedding begins at 5 p.m. at the Beach Club. I'm sitting next to his sister Zlata, who I haven't seen in years either. I remember visiting his grandmother years ago. She's since passed away, but he has several brothers and sisters and there will be 150 people or so at the wedding. I think that's a pretty big wedding.
The wedding begins at 5 p.m. at the Beach Club. I'm sitting next to his sister Zlata, who I haven't seen in years either. I remember visiting his grandmother years ago. She's since passed away, but he has several brothers and sisters and there will be 150 people or so at the wedding. I think that's a pretty big wedding.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
INSOMNIA IN MOSCOW: I tried to fall asleep since I need to be at the Starlite Diner early to meet one of my first bosses in Moscow. Things have been working out in various ways. I managed to make it to one of the oldest farmer's markets this morning. It is being renovated and very few vendors were there. However, I enjoyed tasting several traditional sauces and had a nice conversation with this woman from Dagistan. I bought a few jars of "adjika" a spicy Georgian marinade, some mountain honey and a 1/4 kilo of suluguni cheese. I resisted the temptation to buy pickled garlic, but I might chance it on Thursday morning on the way to the airport. The worst they can do is take it away from me at JFK.
I reached out to a Wharton alumnus who lives in Canada and is Russian. It turned out he was in Moscow and we ended up grabbing lunch together. He's building a wealth management company.
As I wandered around the city, I found my mind reaching back to memories from different eras of my life. I managed to finally visit the new cathedral at Kropotkinsky. It's amazing! IT cost a fortune to build, but it was actually free to visit. It's a true replica of what existed a century ago before Stalin destroyed the original church. I am awed by it's sheer size.
I visited the Lenin Library this afternoon. As often I have passed by, I had never stepped foot inside it's doors. I needed to fill out a form and give them my passport to receive an entry pass. I had a rather large bag with me and the woman asked me what was in it. I said, oh, not much, just a wallet and a journal. She flipped out and said a journal! All the more reason to check your bag at the bag check! Hmm, I wonder what she thought I was planning to do. I checked my bag, but kept my wallet, cell phone and camera with me. She asked if I had a camera and I said no.
The library is enormous and the rows upon rows of card catalog boxes would make a researcher cringe. I went inside the reading hall - a massive room the size of a COSTCO about 3 stories high. Long windows on either side gave natural light to add to the rows of large wooden tables with small green reading lamps and green velvet wooden chairs. The air was stale, hot and muggy and the sweat dripped down my face. Dozens of people sat at tables taking copious notes of various books that were spread upon their individual desks. No photocopying, I guess. A larger than life size stature of a seated Lenin reading a book sat upon a platform at the end of the large hall, an enormous painting of Soviet era propoganda on the wall behind him.
I browsed the numerous shelves along the walls and found a few collectiossn of ENcyclopedia Brittanica - 1 from 1952 the other from 1994. As I read the various titles along the shelves, I thought about the people who may have had access to such books back in tghe Soviet Era and what it must have been like to get access back then.
I looked up my grandparents last names in the card catalogue, wondering what kinds of literature the library held. Some cards were hand written, others typed on an obviously old typewriter. The studious readers endured the lack of airconditioning and rather stiff conditions.
I entered another smaller room where statistical and scientific journals were housed. I almost got physically dizzy as I thought about how different my life could have been had I pursued a Masters or PhD in Soviet Studies or Russian literature! I thought of all those PhD candidates applying for permits and dealing with all the red tape to get access to the enormous collections housed in the Lenin Library.
Off to the Manezh where the former home to the Tsar's collection of carraiges and horses now plays host to modern exhibits. This month, it's "back to school and education!" I picked up a few brochures about various institutes for business. It was a rather eclectic "trade show".
I ended the evening drinking beer with former colleagues from Denview. It was really great to catch up with everyone. The memories flowed freerer than the beer and the hugs and kisses at the end of the evening were heartfelt. I do hope to see people in less than 3 years this time!
I reached out to a Wharton alumnus who lives in Canada and is Russian. It turned out he was in Moscow and we ended up grabbing lunch together. He's building a wealth management company.
As I wandered around the city, I found my mind reaching back to memories from different eras of my life. I managed to finally visit the new cathedral at Kropotkinsky. It's amazing! IT cost a fortune to build, but it was actually free to visit. It's a true replica of what existed a century ago before Stalin destroyed the original church. I am awed by it's sheer size.
I visited the Lenin Library this afternoon. As often I have passed by, I had never stepped foot inside it's doors. I needed to fill out a form and give them my passport to receive an entry pass. I had a rather large bag with me and the woman asked me what was in it. I said, oh, not much, just a wallet and a journal. She flipped out and said a journal! All the more reason to check your bag at the bag check! Hmm, I wonder what she thought I was planning to do. I checked my bag, but kept my wallet, cell phone and camera with me. She asked if I had a camera and I said no.
The library is enormous and the rows upon rows of card catalog boxes would make a researcher cringe. I went inside the reading hall - a massive room the size of a COSTCO about 3 stories high. Long windows on either side gave natural light to add to the rows of large wooden tables with small green reading lamps and green velvet wooden chairs. The air was stale, hot and muggy and the sweat dripped down my face. Dozens of people sat at tables taking copious notes of various books that were spread upon their individual desks. No photocopying, I guess. A larger than life size stature of a seated Lenin reading a book sat upon a platform at the end of the large hall, an enormous painting of Soviet era propoganda on the wall behind him.
I browsed the numerous shelves along the walls and found a few collectiossn of ENcyclopedia Brittanica - 1 from 1952 the other from 1994. As I read the various titles along the shelves, I thought about the people who may have had access to such books back in tghe Soviet Era and what it must have been like to get access back then.
I looked up my grandparents last names in the card catalogue, wondering what kinds of literature the library held. Some cards were hand written, others typed on an obviously old typewriter. The studious readers endured the lack of airconditioning and rather stiff conditions.
I entered another smaller room where statistical and scientific journals were housed. I almost got physically dizzy as I thought about how different my life could have been had I pursued a Masters or PhD in Soviet Studies or Russian literature! I thought of all those PhD candidates applying for permits and dealing with all the red tape to get access to the enormous collections housed in the Lenin Library.
Off to the Manezh where the former home to the Tsar's collection of carraiges and horses now plays host to modern exhibits. This month, it's "back to school and education!" I picked up a few brochures about various institutes for business. It was a rather eclectic "trade show".
I ended the evening drinking beer with former colleagues from Denview. It was really great to catch up with everyone. The memories flowed freerer than the beer and the hugs and kisses at the end of the evening were heartfelt. I do hope to see people in less than 3 years this time!
Monday, August 18, 2008
PICTURE IN THE PARK: I did not make it to the dacha this weekend. Zhenya's son was ill and in the hospital. I ended up at my favorite park - Kolomensky - and it has been transformed through renovations. There were a dozen wedding parties walking around and hundreds of tourists - foreign and Russian. I enjoyed walking about and siting a group of hang gliding enthusiasts. Then I spent an hour lying on the grass enjoying a FREE concert of wonderful bell music.
HOT HOT HOT: I am sorry if you are actually looking for new posts every day. It's too hot and I'm too tired to post at the end of the day. I have never had such blisters on my feet! I will just share my thoughts on the Georgian-Russian situation which I prepared to send out to a list serve for Georgian culture that I've been a part of for a few years. However, I chose not to send it there for fear of being misunderstood.
My experience with Georgia is limited to two visits back in 2002 and 2004 and the time I spent (5 years+ various other times ranging from 1988 to present) in Russia. I have a deep respect and appreciation for the Georgian country, culture and people.
I was in Maikop near Krasnodar when the first public situation took place (the analytical panel was a good historical briefing on the situation). All I had access to was Russian news. I had little internet access and read a bit of Western press. If I had been in the States at the time, I would have been "enveloped" in the American mass media machine. I am now back in Moscow until Thursday.
Thanks to the Satvistomo listserve that I am on, I have also added some valuable depth with some of the other news analyses. It's been very helpful. Here's an interesting link that I received:
http://app2.capitalreach.com/esp1204/servlet/tc?cn=aei&c=10162&s=20271&e=10307&&espmt=2
It's an hour and a half panel discussion on the historical situation.
My conversations with Russians here have probably been about as limited to the conversations that many of the Georgians and Russians probably have with the Average American - peripheral at best. HOwever, those conversations I have had here in Russia have been tinged with some real anti-American anti-Georgian pro-Russian perspectives and I tried to stay as neutral as possible. Strong emotions would not help to change perspectives. Not being Georgian or Russian, but understanding "some" of the historical and cultural issues involved from all sides, I try to remain empathic and sensitive. I realized it's more of a challenge for those closer to the situation (Russian/Ossetian/Georgian). I try to read and absorb the news and analyses with a critical eye and I don't want to appear indifferent to the depth of emotions involved and the impact that this situation is having on so many regular people - including soldiers on both sides who must follow orders, regardless of what they are. Embedded in these orders are these cultural and political perspectives, which only aid to inflame the atrocities further.
My respect and appreciation for the beauty and compassion within the hearts of all the ethnic cultures involved have helped me to understand, but not accept, what is happening.
I keep all involved and effected in my heart and thoughts and hope that this gets resolved quickly. I pray that those who have the power to etiher inflict more hurt and pain or facilitate peace, will somehow utilize the amazing power that they have to be critical and sensitive.
As best as we can as members of this site (there are 162 members listed here) - perhaps we can be a small part in creating awareness and perpetuating a peaceful and more interconnected approach to this complex cultural and political situation that is creating devastation and destruction. This is so much a part of our collective history as human beings. Our neighbors and relatives are where we can begin.
I share with you the idea to hold in your hearts all victims and look deeply at your own hearts to help to heal the physical and emotional damage that is being inflicted in Ossetia and Georgia today. One remarkable man who has helped me in my life to deal with anger is Thich Naht Hanh. Here's a link to his wisdom and a book that I recommend:
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/323262/used/Anger:%20Wisdom%20for%20Cooling%20the%20Flames
Peace,
My experience with Georgia is limited to two visits back in 2002 and 2004 and the time I spent (5 years+ various other times ranging from 1988 to present) in Russia. I have a deep respect and appreciation for the Georgian country, culture and people.
I was in Maikop near Krasnodar when the first public situation took place (the analytical panel was a good historical briefing on the situation). All I had access to was Russian news. I had little internet access and read a bit of Western press. If I had been in the States at the time, I would have been "enveloped" in the American mass media machine. I am now back in Moscow until Thursday.
Thanks to the Satvistomo listserve that I am on, I have also added some valuable depth with some of the other news analyses. It's been very helpful. Here's an interesting link that I received:
http://app2.capitalreach.com/esp1204/servlet/tc?cn=aei&c=10162&s=20271&e=10307&&espmt=2
It's an hour and a half panel discussion on the historical situation.
My conversations with Russians here have probably been about as limited to the conversations that many of the Georgians and Russians probably have with the Average American - peripheral at best. HOwever, those conversations I have had here in Russia have been tinged with some real anti-American anti-Georgian pro-Russian perspectives and I tried to stay as neutral as possible. Strong emotions would not help to change perspectives. Not being Georgian or Russian, but understanding "some" of the historical and cultural issues involved from all sides, I try to remain empathic and sensitive. I realized it's more of a challenge for those closer to the situation (Russian/Ossetian/Georgian). I try to read and absorb the news and analyses with a critical eye and I don't want to appear indifferent to the depth of emotions involved and the impact that this situation is having on so many regular people - including soldiers on both sides who must follow orders, regardless of what they are. Embedded in these orders are these cultural and political perspectives, which only aid to inflame the atrocities further.
My respect and appreciation for the beauty and compassion within the hearts of all the ethnic cultures involved have helped me to understand, but not accept, what is happening.
I keep all involved and effected in my heart and thoughts and hope that this gets resolved quickly. I pray that those who have the power to etiher inflict more hurt and pain or facilitate peace, will somehow utilize the amazing power that they have to be critical and sensitive.
As best as we can as members of this site (there are 162 members listed here) - perhaps we can be a small part in creating awareness and perpetuating a peaceful and more interconnected approach to this complex cultural and political situation that is creating devastation and destruction. This is so much a part of our collective history as human beings. Our neighbors and relatives are where we can begin.
I share with you the idea to hold in your hearts all victims and look deeply at your own hearts to help to heal the physical and emotional damage that is being inflicted in Ossetia and Georgia today. One remarkable man who has helped me in my life to deal with anger is Thich Naht Hanh. Here's a link to his wisdom and a book that I recommend:
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/323262/used/Anger:%20Wisdom%20for%20Cooling%20the%20Flames
Peace,
Saturday, August 16, 2008
MOST EXPENSIVE CITY IN THE WORLD? I know you've heard it before - but here's some crazy proof:
250 ml bottle of bubbly water in a coffee house - 85 rubles plus tip or $4
Starbucks grande latte 180 rubles, or $7 plus change
use of a porta potty 15-20 rubles, or 60 to 80 cents - there is a lady that is paid to collect the money outside the stalls
10 minute taxi ride - asking price starts at 2000 rubles, negotiation down to 500 rubles, or $22
40 minute boat ride on the Moscow river, 350 rubles, or $16
It's utterly insane. The metro costs 10 rubles, or 50 cents - which is a lot for a regular Russian
Gold's Gym membership per year is $1800 - my 2 gym membership isn't looking that bad after all!
I'm sure there are more examples - but I have tried to maintain discipline and pee only at home, walk the extra mile, skip the boat ride, carry my own water bottle, and give up coffee.
250 ml bottle of bubbly water in a coffee house - 85 rubles plus tip or $4
Starbucks grande latte 180 rubles, or $7 plus change
use of a porta potty 15-20 rubles, or 60 to 80 cents - there is a lady that is paid to collect the money outside the stalls
10 minute taxi ride - asking price starts at 2000 rubles, negotiation down to 500 rubles, or $22
40 minute boat ride on the Moscow river, 350 rubles, or $16
It's utterly insane. The metro costs 10 rubles, or 50 cents - which is a lot for a regular Russian
Gold's Gym membership per year is $1800 - my 2 gym membership isn't looking that bad after all!
I'm sure there are more examples - but I have tried to maintain discipline and pee only at home, walk the extra mile, skip the boat ride, carry my own water bottle, and give up coffee.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
BACK IN MOSCOW: Well, I am finally on line whenever I want to be. it's given me a chance to visit some news sites and hear CNN international. I think the Georgian and Ossetian situtation is so complex - it's a challenge to really digest and understand the dynamics of what is going on over there. Our media oversimplifies as does the Russian media.
I just watched an in-depth panel discussion which some of you may find interesting:
http://www.aei.org/events/type.upcoming,eventID.1769,filter.all/event_detail.asp#
I'm on a Georgian cultural yahoo group that I joined when I was in California. The sparks flyng there are incredible, but many of them are bringing up alternative news to share. Gorbachev was on Larry King Live last night - I didn't see the whole thing since I had access only to the web video today.
It's already 10:30 a.m. here! I have to get out for the day. My time here is going to go really quickly.
I just watched an in-depth panel discussion which some of you may find interesting:
http://www.aei.org/events/type.upcoming,eventID.1769,filter.all/event_detail.asp#
I'm on a Georgian cultural yahoo group that I joined when I was in California. The sparks flyng there are incredible, but many of them are bringing up alternative news to share. Gorbachev was on Larry King Live last night - I didn't see the whole thing since I had access only to the web video today.
It's already 10:30 a.m. here! I have to get out for the day. My time here is going to go really quickly.
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