Wheat grass Juice makes it’s debut in Moscow

Okay, okay, I admit it, I’m feeling a bit like the girl from Kansas come to the big apple. It’s not just that the new places that have opened are so chic and hip, but that the Russians that patron them are no longer distinguishable from any other people. You used to be able to tell a Russian apart from a foreigner, but now, the shoes don’t even give them away.

People don’t even look Russian anymore. I almost feel like I’m in some strange futuristic sci-fi movie. Last week at the hotel, I tried to distinguish the foreigner’s in the hotel restaurant. I thought I was sitting near the American who may have been another ACDI consultant. He then began speaking, and it was fluent native Russian. Hmm, it really is impossible to distinguish anyone anymore.

What about the real changes?

I just spoke with an old friend who has been working in Russia for 14 years! From our brief conversation, I sensed that fundamental changes in the country are still far and few between. Perhaps I’m still awestruck by the superficial novelties - wifi in a coffee shop called Zen, smoking and nonsmoking sections in cafes and restaurants, elite sexy cell phones in the palm of every hand, real coffee shops and sushi bars on every corner, but at a deeper level, corruption is still rampant and real local production and manufacturing of international quality and standards is still limited.

Fushi, a trendy English health food salon, has opened it’s doors to Muscovites just five days ago with selected herbal infusions, organic pasta and fresh squeezed wheat grass juice. I suppose after walking around the streets of Moscow, breathing toxic fumes, you can purify your system with a shot of pure energy. However, wheat grass is priced a bit more reasonably in California. Here, a shot costs 150 rubles, or $6.00. I think I’ll stick with the unhealthy caffeinated high fat $5 cappuccinos.

I didn’t find a “biznis launch” as I decided to revisit an old classic - the American Bar and Grill. I remember when it first opened - way back in 1994, it was a haven of American burgers, salads and french fries that were priced reasonably moderately next to the few high end restaurants in town.

I must admit, it was comforting and familiar. Although, the quality has definitely declined. For $12, I had the bbq chicken sandwich, a spoonful of slaw and a handful of fries. I watched the tail end of the Tour de France on their tv while surfing the net on my laptop via a free wireless network. I spent most of the afternoon inside while the rain came and went on the streets, researching a bit into the head hunting industry here. I found my old boss at brainpower.ru - an executive search firm owned and operated by the French that used to go by the name of LO Recruiting. Ironically, it was the same firm through which I found my job at Denview years ago. Marc is now a co-consultant, still living and working here in Russia, after a brief stint in Istanbul. I wonder if I should try to contact him. Imagine, Marc placing me in some company in Moscow!

Okay, perhaps it’s the 2 glasses of cheap French wine, but I’m going to bring this topic up. Back in the 90’s, I was in my 20s and worked my “*&(*&& off - dating was limited. It seemed that beautiful Russian women were too difficult to compete with for men’s attention. Now, I’m older and, well, hmm, heavier, and it’s that much more difficult.

However, after meeting with a former colleague and friend, a lovely Russian woman of 32 who has the most charming personality and sense of humor, and a much more traditional heavyset Russian figure, I see there is hope. She has been visiting a psychology “chat room” since May. It has transformed her social life as this group is jovial, friendly and local. They began to meet in person, and she has made many new friends via the internet. They may be getting together on Friday, and I’ll get a chance to meet them and see this new scene.

Along these lines, I was thinking of putting an ad in the Moscow Times. They have a section called “Introductions”. It’s not personals, I don’t seem to see a personals section. Rather, it’s a list of Russian women who are stunningly young and sexy, with names like Natasha, Olga and Tanya - with only a phone number and picture. I was thinking of writing my own ad - American woman looking for a Russian man - business and pleasure - will sell green card to the right candidate. What do you think? Could it work?

It’s 9 p.m. and still quite bright outside. This cafe is absolutely bursting with life. My computer battery light is in the red, so I must bid you farewell.