We were picked up at the hotel at 2:00 AM to go to the airport. The festivities had ended about 1:30 but the crowds were endless. There were six people from our hotel that needed transportation to the airport. The driver had to park about 10 minutes away since there were roads that were closed and traffic was a disaster. We did eventually get to the airport and went through security a couple of times and then waited for our flight. We were on a Lufthansa flight that wasn't too bad.
Our arrival in Frankfurt was fine. We were able to go to the Lufthansa Lounge since we have the gold card for United and they are partners. They have a very nice relaxing lounge with real food and enjoyable coffee and juice. We were even able to take a shower so we are ready for a full day of flying. Our flight from Frankfurt to Newark is over 8 hours long and we had already flown over 3 1/2 hours. The shower felt so nice and refreshing. Whew!
Just a little bit on my impressions of Russia. Moscow did seem less friendly and dynamic and more communist if there is such a thing. The Passport control folks were very grim and severe, but that may come with that job. English was not written or spoke as much as we might have thought. The older folks definitely did not speak anything but Russian and if we spoke to them some tried to assist while others thought we must be the enemy.
The younger folks at least attempt to try to speak English but like our young guides they do not wish to give you any idea of their political position since they do not know who the future leader will be in 2016. They did say that their parents are not happy. Previously they knew that they had a pension and now there isn't one. Some of the things that the government took care of under Communism are not there for the safety net. We thought it was interesting that when we owed one particular guide 150 rubles $2.70) and took out 2000 rubles ($36.00) for the day she thought it sounded like a lot. We had to eat out and that is costly even if you go to a small sandwich or coffee shop. There were two of us also so we would need to double whatever we purchased such as beverages and then maybe the metro or whatever. The items in the stores do seem pricey for the low income that most of the folks have. Unemployment is low so most folks have jobs but not skilled positions whereby they might earn more.
This was an Austrian coffee shop but there were numerous other companies that are chains in the U.S. or in Europe that the young folks like to socialize at. Sushi is the latest trend here also, which could be due to the Russsian cuisine being on the low end as far as taste. There are lots of various ethnic restaurants.
I am not sure who buys from the upscale stores that they had in both cities. There have got to be some wealthy folks but those stores did not appear to be very crowded. How many Coach bags do you need to carry your rubles around in?
All in all, it was a nice trip but we would not plan another trip to Russia. The younger folks seem upbeat but there is a feeling that exists that I can't explain. The police presence was all over and always in twos, a sort of sense of always being watched. Maybe it is because Putin is a former KGB and that influence is still alive.
Also lots and lots of Chinese tourists are there since Putin is trying to cull a serious relationship with China. The economic conference that was there was initiated by Putin to try to gain more power with particular countries. Not sure of the whole situation. I do feel sorry for the folks of Russia since they are hard working and some do not know any different. Their news is definitely different than what we read in the newspapers. Capitalism of sorts seems to be helping the younger folks move on in their lives rather than living with the parents. It is a tough call since this is a difficult struggle to change from Communism. It has only been 14 years so it is something that takes time to instill and to see what works. This is a generational thing since the parents see it from a different perspective.
Nice trip but glad to be back in the United States despite who we currently have in the Oval Office. I just had to get that in.
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