Super VIP

They say that Moscow is the most expensive city in the world and it's absolutely true. They say that wherever you go, there is a VIP entrance next to the regular line. The city is desinged to accomodate the richest people: restaurants are very expensive and there are no cheap or midrange hotels reasonably close to Moscow center.
There is also a lot of corruption going on: we had to bribe the police to get in or get in front of the line to see Lenin on the Red Square, to see the Treasury in Kremlin and deformed babies in Kunstkamera in Sain Petersurg. On the bright side, we had some lovely private time with Lenin, who seemed to be made out of plastic, and the tomb of Stalin. On the bright side, you know that there is a second path to get what you want :)
Saint Petersburg is a much more touristy place and way more european: it's even called "the window to Europe". We lived in a total palace: well, at least the size and a ceiling in our apartment looked just like some halls in Hermitage.

Back in Motherland

Guys, sorry for a big break, I've been really busy gathering the impressions.
My time in Moscow was very relaxing and relatively uneventful. Of course I spent a lot of time with my family, hung out with friends, did some shopping and even visited 2 datchas (villages).

People in the village are lots of fun. They wake up with sunrise and rush to the forest to gather as many wild strawberries, blueberries and mushrooms as possible. When they come back, the major task is to brag and compare, who has more! In a little village like Sidorovka, there are only about 20 houses. People live there all their lives, there is nothing around but fields and woods, so they grow vegetables and excitedly share gossip about their neighbour's romance with a girl that lives in the house next door who used to date a guy up the road and now has 3 babies.

My activities became totally different when Jason came over all the way from California. I suddenly turned into a tour guide! Actually, I feel like I also became a tourist for a little bit and looked at my home country through the eyes of a foreigner! Hopefully, Jason will soon post his own impressions of my country.