I have spent a total of three months in Russia.
Moscow.
Rostov.
Volgagrad.
Suchi.
Adler.
The place looks worn out.
The roads all over are pot holed beyond belief.
Trains run at 20 to 40 mph at best....Diesel electric.
The closer you get to Moscow the better the infrastructure is.
Poverty is rampant.
Bribery is a way of life....Cops..officials..etc.
The police are underpaid and looking for more...
The central government pays them a little so that they will get off their backsides and patrol the place.
They are scared of the infiltration of Chechnens.....big problem.
They still look at black skinned people as strange.
The OVR or internal passport office is a dirty, cramped hovel in most towns
Travelling alone is dangerous for the inexperienced and not that much safer for me.
Air travel is a maybe....planes are held together with very little maintenance.
Elevators all smell the same...damp, mouldy, like garbage cans in the warm sun.
There are beggars on most main streets in pitiful condition...these are not fair weather beggars,
......during a snow storm in November, I saw 3 on the street while walking back home.
The people are divided by massive class structure...very rich, and just making it.
The place is depressing for the most part.
The people are it's redeeming feature...most are very hospitable and when they know you they will give you everything they own.
The country suffered enormous monetary collapse in the 90's and most people are afraid of banks and work on a cash basis.
Average income for a teacher is $70.00 a month....generally speaking the monthly wage is around $100.00 or less.
State pension is $35.00 a month.
A family apartment rent is $30.00 up to $300 in Moscow/St. Petersburg.
Moscow to Suchi train fare is $35.00 Third class or $200.00 First class return....( 1st is two bunk compartment).
Food is a little cheaper than the USA.
Telephone is $6.00 to $9.00 and you prepay for computer hook ups.
Nearly everyone buys fresh food/milk every day and cooks in the evening....very little canned goods.
The big stores are filled with everything you could want, but not much cheaper than USA.
Gasoline was $1.50 or so last May with the Ruble at 30 to the dollar..
Few people have cars...most ride the bus, ( across town is 15 to 25 cents, one way.)..
A new LADA...like a Fiat 126, are about $2500.00 new.
A 2 bed house outside Volgagrad is $2000.00.
Education/University is free for Russians and most people have degrees in many disciplines, ecology, chemistry, engineering etc.
Medical attention is frightening...although most people survive.
Dentistry is antiquated and not cheap but improving a lot.
A set of dentures is about $1000.00 or better.
You can check about Russia on many sites...but there is no substitute for being there.
I was not allowed to go to some places as there is still a restriction on foreigners travelling to some places.
I wanted to go to the Cosmodrome but was refused travel to Kazakhstan.
The last famous astronaut is paid $200.00 a month pension.
Every business has to prepay the coming years taxes on sales.
Even new start ups.
Would not have missed my trips there for the world...real exciting to say the least.
If you ever have the chance to go... go....The Bolshoi Theater was fantastic.
Red Square is massive.....Lenin is still there.!
Just be sure you have a friend(s) who is Russian.
