Contrary to popular belief, Russia does not consist of just two parts, the first being the Kremlin with the Red Square and the second one being the vast and untamable Siberia much publicized by Hollywood films.
In this post, we'll shed light on some characteristics of the country. Here are ten things you didn't know about Russia.
1. Let's start with the simple truth. Bears do not walk down the streets in Russia. It's a difficult reality to come to terms with, but sometimes the truth hurts.
The same goes for kangaroos in Australia and moose in Sweden.
2. It's not always cold in Russia and certainly not everywhere. The South of Russia is warmer than most European countries; there are also palms growing in some areas near the Black Sea (which means the climate there is subtropical).
In the summer, the South of Russia (Krasnodar region, for instance) has an average temperature of 32-35C, reaching 40-43C from time to time; in the winter, the temperature is rarely below zero and snowfalls are extraordinary.
Also for public transportation as a transport collapse usually follows each snowfall.
3. It has woods, steppe, taiga, tundra, but less known is the fact that Russia has a desert as well, namely the Caspian lowland desert (besides the Caspian Sea that is actually a lake) that looks exactly like the Sahara desert.
4. Oh, the Transsiberian! The Transsiberian Railway trip is on many a traveler's to-do list; however, some don't do their research correctly, and once on the train, they realize there are no showers on the trains that serve the Transsiberian.
Well, there are showers on the luxurious train specifically tailored for foreigners who can afford to pay for it, but it's not a real experience anyway!
You're going to have to think of ways of how to take an improvised shower with the help of a sink and make use of a lot of wet wipes, but chances are you're still going to stink once you're at your destination.
Still part of the charm, though, right?
5. This one is a personal favorite. Not all Russians drink vodka. And in a broader sense, not all Russians are alcoholics.
In fact, the Irish and the Germans and the French and perhaps a dozen other nations consume much more alcohol per capita than Russians.
Sure, in some remote villages almost cut off from civilization with a high unemployment rate, people drink more than in big cities, but really, not in the amounts portrayed by the media.
And while I'm on the subject, Russians don't say "Na Zdorov'ye!" before drinking.
It's either a short toast proposing to drink for the meeting/evening/long-standing friendship/somebody's birthday or a long(ish) toast at a wedding or anniversary highlighting all positive characteristics of the toasted person or persons.
Also, keep in mind that as of several years ago, drinking is not allowed in public places. If you violate this law, be prepared to cash out either officially or unofficially.
6. Continuing the topic of vices, cigarettes are quite cheap in Russia. A pack of Marlboro will cost you $1.37 (1 euro); therefore, it's not unpopular to stock up on cigarettes here.
However, don't forget that one person is not allowed to have more than 200 cigarettes (10 packs) on them at the time of crossing the border.
But you guessed it. It's not uncommon to purchase more than that and then ask your fellow passengers to help you out with a couple of hundreds of cigarettes for the duration of your flight/ride.
7. What do Russians eat? Well, of course, borsch, pelmeni, bliny, and caviar, what else?
In reality, of course, the food selection is a bit more diverse than that. However, borsch remains a favorite dish of many a Russian.
But did you know, for instance, that borsch can be green?
Yes, the standard version includes cabbage, root-beet, carrots, potatoes, and sometimes meat; however, the green borsch is made from sorrel, parsley, potato, and egg and is deemed the summer version, better served cold.
Not to be missed on a hot summer day.
8. Russian hospitality is either overrated or a myth altogether.
The truth is, Russia was cut off from the entire planet for so long that in some federal subjects (and there are 83 of them) when people see a foreigner, they can hardly contain their excitement and want to get to know this person, find out if they're real or not and if the grass is greener on the other side.
Thus the invitations, the openness, the chats, and all that is referred to as Russian hospitality.
This is not to say that homo homini lupus est and every man is for himself, but it's just that this hospitality exists thanks to the Iron Curtain.
9. The Soviet Union ceased existing almost 20 years ago and yet some of the leftovers of that time are still ever-present.
For example, queues are a Russian reality. Want to send a postcard to your family from the post office? Or maybe buy a ticket for the subway?
Well, be prepared to wait in a line of rushed and unhappy people who seem to want to push you or throw a demeaning look at you all the time.
The one advice is: breathe! And don't let those cunning people with "I just have a small question to ask" squeeze ahead of you, otherwise standing in queues will be your full-time job.
10. Most Russians approve of the government and the tandem in charge.
But that's because the media is under full control of the government, and most people only know what they are told and they are told what somebody wants them to know.
Therefore, they are convinced that they have a democracy and that they are well taken care of.
In any case, a political discussion is not recommended, at least not with people you just met.
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About the Author: Irina Sazonova is Russian by place of birth and passport, but prefers to think of herself and other fellow bloggers as citizens of the world. Currently based in Europe, Irina documents her travels in her blog Online Hiatus, http://onlinehiatus.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter @onlinehiatus.
Lana says
Russians might not be the friendliest folks you could meet but they sure are hospitable once you got to know them better.
Irina Sazonova says
Yes, I´d say Russians are not particular nice at first sight or meeting, however they´re mostly loyal friends and buddies.
Anonymous says
I really liked this article. It was about a subject not covered as much in the travel community, it was laid out well and offered good content. Maybe more pictures would have helped though. :) Overall, be cool to see more of these!
Irina Sazonova says
You´re right, foggodyssey, this subject doesn´t get a lot of coverage, but here´s hoping it will improve soon. Russia is such a vast country, it´s definitely worth visiting and writing about.
Dave says
My mother's mother is from Russia, so I hope to get there myself some day!
Julia says
Interesting article. I'm from the Krasnodar region, so I definitely mention the fact that just because I am from the giant country that is Russia doesn't mean that I am anymore excited about cold New England winters than anyone else is.
Irina Sazonova says
Hello neigh
Irina Sazonova says
Hello neighbor! Yes, I get this often as well. Most people are quite surprised Russia can be warm and hot as well.
Dmitry Nucleanspoon says
Do you seen somewhen face of a (typical) foreigner, when he hear that someone from Siberia? Just i seen once. His face was like he seen an alien just now, :-D
Really, i seen as -55C scale wasn't enough as +48C, but it's anomalistic weather. Typical weather from -35 to +35 with dry air.
Andrea and John says
Great post...very interesting! I've always been curious about Russia and every time I read about traveling there I learn something new. Hope to be able to visit someday! ~Andrea
Irina Sazonova says
Hope you get to visit it some time, Andrea! Good to hear you liked the post.
Sofia - As We Travel says
I've never thought about the shower conditions on the transsiberian, good to know that you need to be prepared!
Lana says
for all interested in the transsiberian, here's a virtual tour of it
STraveller says
I took the transsiberian train twice: Two years ago, there were "showers" (let's call it shower...) in train no 2 (regular train). I tried it - it's not very comfortable and comined with the regular toilet. But they have changed the cars now - instead of the old GDR-cars, there are now completely new ones. Unfortunately I didn't look last year, if it is possible to take a shower there too. :-(
But in trains with less quality there are definitively no showers.
Russell Davison says
Hello Irina,
My current home is Basel in Switzerland and I find your post about Russia to be most accurate. Whilst based in the UK, last century, I spent much time working with Rolls-Royce in Moscow for 2 years during 1996 to 1998. The temperature in Moscow reached 35 Celsius whilst I was there and I found numerous hidden beautiful places in the Moscow Region.
Irina Sazonova says
Hi Russell,
glad to hear that you liked the post. I think there are just too many stereotypes about Russia and you yourself experienced, it's very easy to debunk them, basically you just have to travel there and you get to know what it really is like.
Fiji says
Hello everyone!!!
I'm a student (basically meaning that I'm on a low budget) who is planning to travel to this overwhelming county. I was advised by my friend to stay at Trip&Sleep Moscow Hostel, but I'm not sure. Could you help me?!? are hostels in Russia the same as every where else and is this particular hostel any good?
Thanks in advance for your help))))))
Vasilisa says
I was born in Russia, even though I live in Ukraine, it is to say that what you thought of our country is very ... Strange. "Bears that walk on the street," so you really perceive us? About the weather, winter is terribly cold, especially this year, too, lasts very long, very hot summer, to work in this weather unbearable. The words "To your health" we rarely talk or do not talk at all. In short ... The text, which was written by sdes told a lot.
Alski says
A comment on Russian climate. I come from Orenburg region, which in Southern Urals. In January, the temperature can go down as low as minus 35 Celcius, yet most summers are so warm that my father has been successfully growing grapes (let alone tomatoes and other veggies) for almost 15 years and that's a fact! +38 in the shade is not unheard of.
Dave says
Thanks for sharing Alski. When I get to Russia, I'll make sure my visit is in the Summer!
Kevin Post says
I have a journey I'd like to take in Russia (however, it's a surprise because if I tell people about it I'm less likely to achieve it) and would love to pick your brain sometime.
I have met very few Russians even though there is a surprisingly concentrated community in my hometown of Orlando.
I don't think Russians aren't friendly but from my couchsurfing experiences I've noticed misunderstandings. I hope to change that someday. Thanks for this article Irina!
Apollo/?????? says
I lived and studied in rostov on don and volgograd,i should say that russians are friendly and hospitable.i was there during the crackdown of ussr.of course timeis different now,they say that they are neorussians now.generally russians are nice people,by the way volgograd ia very nice city,very warm during summer and very cold during winter about -36 celsius.?????? ????????,?? ???????.
Ivan says
Hi everybody! I'm fromm Russian Federation(Russia). If U want to know more about my country(warm and cold, what is CCCP?, why russians never smile and other myths) - I'll be very glad to talk about it! :-)
Find me on the facebook: Ivan Laptev id=100010824191990
:-)
Drew says
Hi! Nice article!
Unfortunately, I think the point about alcohol consumption isn't correct. According to WHO and other researchers, Russia is #4 in the world, and the rest are former Soviet Bloc countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_alcohol_consumption_per_capita
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/05/17/heaviest-drinking-countries/9146227/
I've never been to Russia but I'm interested in visiting one day.
Dmitry Nucleanspoon says
Russian hospitality appears when you come to thier homes (yeah, may be, it seems strange to take off shoes nearly doorstep, but russians keep clean their homes instead of wash streets with soap. Later will be at least tea party, but probably good lunch independent of your wishes. Good lunch in Russia mean, place on the table isn't enough for all dishes and food remain after. Russians will try take all your time while you're in thier home, as it possible of course. It's very rude to leave a guest alone more 1-2 minuts (for example for make tea, carry another dish, take photo album, etc) Much, much stories, tales, jokes, may be some games, quizzes and many, many other. A russian interested that his guest don't get boring even for 1 moment.
Probably, people mean excatly that under russian hospitality.
Jezza says
Great post but have to say you clearly only went to Sydney and Melbourne if you don't think roos jump down the street haha.