It is more than a month in Russia after New Zealand. My impressions.

I am already more than a month in Russia. Very powerful and positive impressions in general of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Donetsk, Rostov-on-Don. From people, from a set of positive changes, it is kind of contradictory sounded. After cozy and comfortable beautiful New Zealand, strangely enough, there was no stress.

In day of flying away in Wellington

In St. Petersburg

The presentation of my book in the Pedant



With the St. Petersburg girlfriend



Master class in metaphorical cards in St. Petersburg



Catherine Palace in Pushkino



St. Petersburg sketches

In Moscow

In Moscow the program of support of pensioners very much impressed. I do not know yet what from this works through the whole country, but what I saw with own eyes in Moscow - completely disproves the liberal moaning about a difficult life of pensioners. About the amount of pensions yes - on average low level. BUT. There are a free medical care, FREE pass on all types of public transport (except private carrying). It is megaabrupt support for inhabitants with registration in Moscow and the Moscow region. It is with all the heart impressed.


The presentation of my book in MDK


Night Moscow


The temple before departure to Donetsk


The medical center of my friends in Moscow


My book "If mother toks …" on sale in Read - the city


Presented me a dressing gown for work in Donetsk



Struck in the finest sense of the word the state Centers (in each district of Moscow) for pensioners where aged people 55+ receive FREE OF CHARGE a package of services: sports and improving occupations, various entertainments and services: from an opportunity to play billiards prior to seminars and trainings of various subject. It is a lot of everything for full leisure, communication and employment. These rooms in convenient locations where it is easy to reach. Purely, it is equipped by all necessary, friendly staff, in general the warm and friendly atmosphere. In good sense move also abrupt motivation of the people who lived up to age of wisdom. You see a photo below.


It is possible to find all necessary in the Russian shops. Different prices. There are the same products about one quality at the different price. Quite decent clothes and footwear can be bought, having met the budget of the minimum living wage. And almost the same (but with a label and beautifully packed) in some expensive boutique at the New Zealand price. With food the same history. In general products are expensive for people on a minimalka.


However, as everywhere and at all times the principle works: you want to live - be able to spin. But so was always. Both in Russia, and in any other country. Be not under a delusion with foreign vkusnyashka, there you will not fool around. And the mouth to you will be will slammed if you begin to tell unauthorized. In Russia in this plan precisely there is more freedom.

On the road from Moscow through Rostov to Donetsk



About Donetsk I will write a separate post. But in general I can say: all horror stories and jump scares about Russia have exclusively geopolitical eyeliner lowered by overseas "regional committees". Even there, actually in a military zone with daily artillery firing, people did not forget to enjoy life, and I did not see more sincere and light smiles anywhere.

Donetsk sketches

Actions of police and the National Guard of the Russian Federation from what I already saw in Russia in Moscow and in St. Petersburg - all within reasonable.

Taking into account features of the Russian climate of the road quite decent, and all the rest too. Yes, there is a dirt, even cockroaches in places, but after the New Zealand cockroaches of the size of my finger, already not so terribly.

It is a lot of social state and municipal projects for children and teenagers. Free.
So all information dregs and dirt about Russia, first of all characterize not Russia, and those who spread these dregs and dirt.


In Rostov-on-Don on the way back from Donetsk to Moscow



I will calm those who will begin to reproach me pink glasses or the paid promotion: nobody ever even offered me either money, or other bonuses for my sincere opinion on the country.
And yes. I know much it about Russia that it is unacceptable for me, revolts up to the depth of soul and what I intend to fight in process of forces against. And it is connected with specific people who either do not follow the law, or violate it, or gnila in fact and spoil image of Russia as the passenger cuts the cheese of pyornuvshiya in a compartment of the train. But these rotten people will never make weather in the big room. They will leave, and after it will air the room.

Everything will be OK. I know it.



One photo higher: the center of St. Petersburg on February 23, the bride's photo at one of the St. Petersburg stations, the Center of Longevity in Moscow at Manuela Arapova's seminar, Reminiscence of Donetsk and sushi bar in Rostov-on-Don.



In line Novosibirsk and Gorno-Altaysk.