With love from Russia
Friends who recently moved to Moscow came over some time back. We ate a lot of home food, okay, Assamese food, drank South African wine and ate Russian chocolates all accompanied by snippets from life in Russia - without speaking Russian.
They took Russian classes before leaving. But not helping much. However, it's enough to flirt with the airhostesses, accused the wife.
They don't know half the things they eat. Almost every instruction and information is in Russian.
About 300 TV channels. About 50 in English. Yes, 50!! 50 porno channels!!
They roam everywhere with their passports. Even to put out garbage.
He mentally converts roubles into euros, then into dollars and finally rupees, before buying anything, much to wife's chagrin. (He's a banker)
Russians are strong is an understatement.
His luggage, difficult to lug even on trolley in Bombay was snapped up by Russian driver who walked with it and coolly, threw into car.
Russian man pushes him out of the way on the road. Our friend falls, slips in snow and had a swollen bandaged wrist for 3 weeks. Self esteem badly bruised.
Our friend struggles to open heavy metro door. 70 year old man comes, opens door, walks in. No effort, no halt.
To explain better, they say, Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty, Bollywood action heroes, will look like cute babies among Russians.
For the first time, they are shopping in Bombay without asking the price of things.
For the first time, husband is encouraging the wife to shop some more.
They live in the centre, close to the Kremlin. Everything is triple the price there.
Good thing is, they are seeing Russia. The beautiful villages. The pristine interiors.
They are going through the whole of Europe too. Every nook, every sunshine town, every little hamlet.
And then finally, they plan to come back to Bombay. Good old Bombay!
posted by anumita at 1:59 pm
11 Comments:
:)
Lovely write up.
I wanna visit the whole of Eurpoe once too :-)
Make that twice!
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Shub: I know I know. Shall we book tickets together?
LOLOL my bro was in Russia for some 5 years and the only thing he learnt was to go back out of India... SIGH... and of course in that process gain a Russian girlfriend... LOL
Hi Anumita - ...hmmm? Vodka? How come you did not mention it ? Russians and Vodka are synonymous. I stayed in St. Petersberg with my ex-girlfriend's grandparents for three days and there was not a single meal which i ate bereft of the transparent spirit. Those Ruskies have some capacity.The Granma was like 70 plus, but between they must have swigged almost a bottle and a half. They drink it neat. They thought I was from the moon when I requested for some lemonade ! That and potatoes. My god!I went crazy, because all they ate were potatoes and meat! Went to an Indian restaurant once and a small bowl or rice cost 10 USD ! I swear I could have smuggled some out some in my jacket. But its a nice place with their onion shaped domes and run down buildings. St Petersberg also has a bustling pirated music industry. For a dollar each you can pick up the best and latest international acts. Also they do a mean compilation CD as well. You can pick up the best of say Counting Crows, Dave Mathews Band et al and be sure of their best songs all in one CD and for 1 Dollar. pachaas rupye. I mean I am all for saving the music industry from pirates, but these were too nice to resist ! also visited Lithuania,Estonia and Hungary. Very cold, Very nice and the women are very beautiful !! Wish I could go back !
ex-girlfriend..are your reading this ???
Whew! That changed some of my ideas about Russia :) Suniel Shetty LOL
Gosh. I wanna go to Europe too. And come back to Bombay. No where else but Bombay.
Vodka for breakfast! Add that!
They aren't too friendly there I hear...
LOL at heavy door! :)
The converion-to-Rs should stop. Else life becomes miserable...it takes some time for lotsa people though.
Never knew Russians were that strong! Wonder what I'd look like, in their midst. ;)
Well, after reading your post, I've decided never to settle in Russia (it's doubtful I'll ever visit the place, let alone settle; that doesn't matter, though)because I'd hate to feel pygmied... But 50 porno channels? Wow! I'm rethinking, once again!
-Arjun
Russia! Prussia!
Land of Vodka, Vomen, and Vong!
*takes another swig*
>hic!<
libran: It's a cool and cold place from what I heard.
pallavi: Not surprising. The women are supposed to be the prettiest.
raxterized: You must write about your Russian experience. Sounds like you had a great time.
sudipta: don't let this affect your view. It's all second hand stuff!
kahini: Meetoo, meetoo!
gratis: Some of the locals are friendly but doesn't get much of a chance with sign language!
couchpotato: Welcome! After you have watch the 50th channel for the 50th time, you would be dying to watch even the Chandrakantas and Mahabharatas on DD.
tricorn: You said it right, pal! cheers!
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