F ING RUSSIA
I hate it. Hate it.. Hate it. 51 Countries.. all over the world and never have I been as frustrated as I am in Russia. NEVER!!!
I woke up this morning and decided to give myself almost 4 hours for my international flight. Plenty of time.. figure 1 hour to get to the airport - maybe 1.5 hours with traffic… still plenty of time to pass customs, passport control, and security. WRONG. That would be far too simple. Do you know why? Because I am in Russia.
The Moscow metro is beautiful, efficient, convenient, and goes everywhere. Stalin wanted palices underground and he certainly created them. I walk out of my hotel, say goodbye to Red Square and hop on the Red line. The Red Line for one stop then off and onto to the Grey Line at the Library and then the Gray Line to the Train Station. Catch a 30 minute train to the airport. Piece of cake. WRONG AGAIN. Why? All together now.. because this is Russia.
I arrived at the train station at 11:10. Next train was 12:55. Why do you build an express train to the airport that only comes every 1.5 hours? My flight was at 1:40. So… I grab a cab. As always… I get fucked because I am a foreigner… 3000 Ruples. $120 USD… try again. Ok.. Ok.. 2000 Ruples. 1500 ruples… 1300 Ruples. We finally agree on 1000 Ruples. $40 USD. Moscow is ungodly expensive – maybe even more than London or Tokyo. $40 for breakfast at the hotel. $28 for 24 hours of WIFI. $9 for a Mocha at Starbucks. Sometimes when you travel you expect it…but not like this. My bill at TGI Fridays for 2 cocktails and a beer was $40 USD.
So me and my chain smoking cabbie – he effectively and efficiently finished the whole pack on the way to the airport – jam down the main roads – onto the freeway… Back into the LADA I go. And we are off to the airport… at 11:15. 2.5 hours later… yes… really. 2.5 hours FUCKING LATER… I arrive at the Moscow airport at 1:30. Cab driver drove on the sidewalk, down alleys, through a park on a pedestrian trial… Yeah… I did pay $40 USD but that is the price… this was the time I did not want the scenic route. My flight leaves at 1:40. Traffic was crazy – as always in Russia – the guy had no clue where he was going. We got lost twice… got in a screaming match – he in Russian – me in English. I am sure he did not understand any of my profanity… I cussed him out good though… Nolando style. I felt better… if only for a little bit. I am laughing now… as I edit this.. but I was so angry.
Never the less I miss my flight. No problem.. I have an open ticket… I will just get the next flight. With an around the world ticket I can change dates, and times for free so no big deal. But.. I am in Russia. Moscow international airport… they have to speak English right. Have to!!! And they do.. but they cannot fix my ticket. I am flying Turkish airlines to Istanbul and they tell me to go and see DELTA??? WTF??? DELTA. No.. Delta is not even part of Star Alliance. By now… I am screaming at everyone.. so frustrated!!! They tell me to call United. HOW. I have no fucking cell phone. Ok… maybe WIFI. Yeah.. I will get on the internet. That is simple.. enter a credit card.. and off I go to cyber space. FUCKING WRONG AGAIN!!! In order to use WIFI you have to read Russian. No.. wait…, here is one in English. All I have to do is send an SMS from the cell phone that I don’t have and then they send me back a password. Finally after 2 hours of fighting with Turkish airways I convince the ticket agent to call her manager… She thinks she can help me. Tells me to wait an hour – 2 beers and some scotch later.,. I come back. 30 minutes of entering the exact same thing 20 times....she cannot figure out the computer. And she tells me to go and check in and they will fix it.
Tourism in Russian sucks – If you speak English. The people are nice, they smile, I think they try to help… but we just do not understand each other. The country, landscape, architecture is absolutely beautiful but Russia is not the place to come and see and explore. I have met some wonderful people here (Anna, Olga, Walter, and Vladimir – and I have learned so much about their country, customs, arts..) Russia is actually fun. People drink, party, they are very very intelligent, stylish, and worldly. But…If you get lost… you are fucked. If you need to go somewhere and have a question.. your fucked. But, the Russians would be miserable in the USA if they did not speak English too… so maybe all is the same. After all, I am a guest in their country and during Soviet times, they were not even allowed to learn English.
Maybe I have had 2 really bad experiences.. but nothing is organized, traffic sucks, trains are not convenient to the airport, everything is in Russian and perhaps 10 % of the population speaks English. Most of the younger people do… but I felt like I was lost in translation.. more than once. I do not care where I have to fly to tonight… but if I spend another day in Russia I will drink every drop of VODKA in this country. I swear!!!
Now… 2 hours later I have a ticket to Istanbul. Check in is a breeze – hot custom officer gives me the eye – studies my passport – and I am on my way. Browsing the duty free shops I think about how good that € 99 Johnny Walker Blue would taste.. Maybe grab a few Cubans… puff away…But I pass and settle for a € 9 bottle of Bailey’s that I will sneak onto the plane and drink in the bathroom (seriously… I probably won’t.. but I thought about it). I then head to the Irish Pub – which of course has no Guinness – why? Because we are in Russia. So I settle for some cheap Russian beer – settle in for the latest episode of Scooby Doo – nope… I cannot understand a word.. why? Cause it is in Russian. I smile and giggle like a school girl and people look at me wierd… I know this episode… you know… the one with the ape? And I reminisce about Las Vegas Halloween parties and Napoleon Dynamite. If we go as the cast of Scooby Doo we will own any club. I think to myself… I kind of look like Fred… Betty looks like Welma –jen could totally be Daffny….I I finish my beer – head to Turkish airlines, get patted down, frisked, they go through my bag – smile at the Bailey’s and then have a 5 minute conversation about a some of the tools I brought so I can tighten my braces… finally I am free to go. Now I am sitting next to some super stylish Turkish guy with horrible B.O. and gthere are crying kids all around and everyone is smoking.
Off to Warm weather, the land of Kebabs, Islam, and who knows what else. But you want to know the best part… It is not Russia.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Bailout & Economy
Got out just in time...
Wachovia Bank will fail today and will follow in the footsteps of many others such as Bear Stearns and WAMU. This is really only the beginning of the bottom and we still have a ways to go. Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup will probably be the only one's to survive.
Why am I blogging about finances - especially when i am no longer connected to Wall St? Good question... I am not sure either - but I feel that I have to. I am passionate about the world, about how it works, and unfortunately most everything in the world works through money.
Here I sit at Royal Meridien National Hotel - staring at the spires in Red Square. Watching the street as thousands of faces pass by in front of me. I watch the Mercedes, the Audi, BMW, and Masseratti drive by - I see the designer cloths of Dior, Prada, Zara, and Hugo Boss. The Russians have an amazing life... and many are living what we (as Americans) would call "The American Dream". Russia's new found wealth is the result of the fall of the Soviet Union and the creation of the Russian Federation. Capitalism and a free market are the keys to financial success and increased standards of living the world over. BUT... all of this comes at a cost. The fallacy of money and what money truly is. How it is measured? How is it valued? How is it maintained? And most importantly - how is it transferred from Wall St to Main St?
The answer... Leverage. Nothing in life comes for free... everything has a price. In economics we call this Opportunity Cost. If you want to be in love - you will sacrifice some of your freedom. If you want reap the fruit of financial success you will compromise your time and work long hours. The danger in leverage... there will always come a point in which it is realized, materialized, and collateralized. That point in the US economy is now. And the point is a sharp one and it is going to hurt. And once we get the point... history is certain to repeat itself.
The interesting part about economics is called the invisible hand... which is really the psychology that drives the market. The US goverment, federal reserve, and treasury is attempting to sway the psychology by investing huge amounts of capital into the us economy to stave off a depression or recession. In my opinion, it will not work. Banks, by law, are allowed to leverage themselves at a 10:1 ratio. Meaning that 90 % of everything a bank does is credit - with your money or the money of someone else (usually an overseas investor).
Now.. there is no more money. We have 2 options.. we print more money (which is horrible - because it will cause a huge spike in inflation). We borrow more money (which is how we got into this mess in the first place). We cannot borrow any more money - in the banking world reputation is everything. If you overpromise and underdeliver - you are through. And the US has done just that.
The Bail Out
So... the US government is going to give 700 Billion dollars. We - the US taxpayers will ultimately pay for this and suffer a lower quality of life and much more difficult and restrained credit experience as a result. Moreoever, the bailout will only work for a time.. it is a short term sollution to a very long term problem.
Things that really need to be known
FDIC needs to be bailed out - when banks fail - FDIC is on the hook for deposits
Two large investment banks becoming banks (Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley) means that the people invested there were protected to 500 thousand and now only get 100,000 protection. Also... keep in mind Paulson used to be big boy at Goldman Sachs.. he is saving their reputation... they are in far worse shape than anyone knows.
And the housing debacle... check out these statistics...
20 Billion dollars in default debt in the state of California. Per Month
50 Billion dollars in default debt across the rest of the US. Per month.
Expected default in the us of 1 trillion dollars in the next 2 years.
It is estimated that 10 million + homes have negative equity or are upside down.
This is expected to hit about 12.7 million by next summer.
The state of California accounts for about 40 % of the dollar volume for the enture USA
There are potentially 7 trillion dollars in alt a / questionable loans that are outstanding. The bailout package is for 700 billion. A weeeee bi short.
Most of these loans will not be modified and even those loans that are modified - about 30-40 % eventually end up in default again.
We can throw all of the money in the world at this problem - but in the end - banks will take care of themselves, their assets, and their shareholders. The bailout goes to Wall St - beacuase if Wall St fails... the World fails.
Wachovia Bank will fail today and will follow in the footsteps of many others such as Bear Stearns and WAMU. This is really only the beginning of the bottom and we still have a ways to go. Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup will probably be the only one's to survive.
Why am I blogging about finances - especially when i am no longer connected to Wall St? Good question... I am not sure either - but I feel that I have to. I am passionate about the world, about how it works, and unfortunately most everything in the world works through money.
Here I sit at Royal Meridien National Hotel - staring at the spires in Red Square. Watching the street as thousands of faces pass by in front of me. I watch the Mercedes, the Audi, BMW, and Masseratti drive by - I see the designer cloths of Dior, Prada, Zara, and Hugo Boss. The Russians have an amazing life... and many are living what we (as Americans) would call "The American Dream". Russia's new found wealth is the result of the fall of the Soviet Union and the creation of the Russian Federation. Capitalism and a free market are the keys to financial success and increased standards of living the world over. BUT... all of this comes at a cost. The fallacy of money and what money truly is. How it is measured? How is it valued? How is it maintained? And most importantly - how is it transferred from Wall St to Main St?
The answer... Leverage. Nothing in life comes for free... everything has a price. In economics we call this Opportunity Cost. If you want to be in love - you will sacrifice some of your freedom. If you want reap the fruit of financial success you will compromise your time and work long hours. The danger in leverage... there will always come a point in which it is realized, materialized, and collateralized. That point in the US economy is now. And the point is a sharp one and it is going to hurt. And once we get the point... history is certain to repeat itself.
The interesting part about economics is called the invisible hand... which is really the psychology that drives the market. The US goverment, federal reserve, and treasury is attempting to sway the psychology by investing huge amounts of capital into the us economy to stave off a depression or recession. In my opinion, it will not work. Banks, by law, are allowed to leverage themselves at a 10:1 ratio. Meaning that 90 % of everything a bank does is credit - with your money or the money of someone else (usually an overseas investor).
Now.. there is no more money. We have 2 options.. we print more money (which is horrible - because it will cause a huge spike in inflation). We borrow more money (which is how we got into this mess in the first place). We cannot borrow any more money - in the banking world reputation is everything. If you overpromise and underdeliver - you are through. And the US has done just that.
The Bail Out
So... the US government is going to give 700 Billion dollars. We - the US taxpayers will ultimately pay for this and suffer a lower quality of life and much more difficult and restrained credit experience as a result. Moreoever, the bailout will only work for a time.. it is a short term sollution to a very long term problem.
Things that really need to be known
FDIC needs to be bailed out - when banks fail - FDIC is on the hook for deposits
Two large investment banks becoming banks (Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley) means that the people invested there were protected to 500 thousand and now only get 100,000 protection. Also... keep in mind Paulson used to be big boy at Goldman Sachs.. he is saving their reputation... they are in far worse shape than anyone knows.
And the housing debacle... check out these statistics...
20 Billion dollars in default debt in the state of California. Per Month
50 Billion dollars in default debt across the rest of the US. Per month.
Expected default in the us of 1 trillion dollars in the next 2 years.
It is estimated that 10 million + homes have negative equity or are upside down.
This is expected to hit about 12.7 million by next summer.
The state of California accounts for about 40 % of the dollar volume for the enture USA
There are potentially 7 trillion dollars in alt a / questionable loans that are outstanding. The bailout package is for 700 billion. A weeeee bi short.
Most of these loans will not be modified and even those loans that are modified - about 30-40 % eventually end up in default again.
We can throw all of the money in the world at this problem - but in the end - banks will take care of themselves, their assets, and their shareholders. The bailout goes to Wall St - beacuase if Wall St fails... the World fails.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
ST Petersburg - II
Yesterday was actually a great day. I saw almost all of the sights of St Petersburg and it is truly an amazing city. Undeniably beautiful, old, romantic…the city is crisscrossed by several canals – and it is called by some the Venice of the North. No, no gondolas but hoards of tourist boats. The interesting thing – is not much has changed. There are very few new buildings here. The highest building is 5 stories – since nothing can be taller than the old royal palace. No modern hotels or sky scrapers, no intricate glass and steel – just basic concrete block design with some modern interior touches.
Day 3 was the Hermitage Museum.. think the Met in New York or the Louvre in Paris. It was that good and that beautiful. See the posted pics… the artwork and the building in and of itself were amazing.
Some interesting things about St Petersburg..
· You can drink on the street – but not in a park.
· You can park your car on the sidewalk – if you so desire
· Your dog can poop on the street and you do not have to clean it up
· The metro is 17 ruples - just over $.50
· Cabs… you just stick your arm out and random cars stop. You negotiate a price and if you like the car, driver, and price – you go.
· Boys carry the girls handbags – often. This must be a northern European thing… (no word on whether their testicles are inside)
· They receive about 60 days of sun per year – the rest of the time is cloudy or rainy
St Petersburg is a very artsy city. Tons of café’s, bookstores, museums, art, culture, music… the majority of the people are very intelligent. The women are absolutely beautiful – the men… not so cute. If I could only speak Russian I might have some game…
It is interesting because the middle class in Russia is just starting to come to power. There is an immense wealth here due to the natural gas and oil and you see the top of the line Audi, BMW, and Mercedes cars everywhere. I also saw quite a few Hummers.
Day 3 was the Hermitage Museum.. think the Met in New York or the Louvre in Paris. It was that good and that beautiful. See the posted pics… the artwork and the building in and of itself were amazing.
Some interesting things about St Petersburg..
· You can drink on the street – but not in a park.
· You can park your car on the sidewalk – if you so desire
· Your dog can poop on the street and you do not have to clean it up
· The metro is 17 ruples - just over $.50
· Cabs… you just stick your arm out and random cars stop. You negotiate a price and if you like the car, driver, and price – you go.
· Boys carry the girls handbags – often. This must be a northern European thing… (no word on whether their testicles are inside)
· They receive about 60 days of sun per year – the rest of the time is cloudy or rainy
St Petersburg is a very artsy city. Tons of café’s, bookstores, museums, art, culture, music… the majority of the people are very intelligent. The women are absolutely beautiful – the men… not so cute. If I could only speak Russian I might have some game…
It is interesting because the middle class in Russia is just starting to come to power. There is an immense wealth here due to the natural gas and oil and you see the top of the line Audi, BMW, and Mercedes cars everywhere. I also saw quite a few Hummers.
EXPLODING HEAD
I ask the hotel for a taxi… sure.. No problem. 1300 ruples. I hail one on the street and snag him for 1000 ruples… about $16 less. Go Nolando. Always good at hustling…. Always good at making my flights on time… NOT SO MUCH!
I finally arrive at the St Petersburg airport after a nice scenic 1.5 hour drive from the city center. 20 km away. Traffic here is horrific… think LA at Rush Hour… and then it is that bad but forever. Km after km.. bumper to bumper.. weaving in and out.. in and out and we are making progress. I am in the back reading Alan Greenspan – Ironically learning about the Russian and South American economies. Free Markets and Populist leaders. The taxi stops. Driver tells me something in Russian… gets out – goes to the trunk – dons a glove and grabs a screwdriver… The hood comes up.. a little mechanic work and some strong Russian words – gets the Lada back into shape. Driver gets back into the car, smiles, and off we go again. No clue what that was about… but ok… We laugh and it’s all good.
Only problem… traffic makes me miss my flight. Taxi driver drops me off at Terminal 1. Aeroflot leaves from Terminal 2. Oops. I show him my ticket – in English of course… he says he understands – but obviously not. I walk into terminal 1 with a bad feeling – No Aeroflot signs. No check in…I wander around – asking everyone – no English.. then a British Airways gal tells me I am at the Wrong Airport. No problem.. Terminal 2 is less than 20 minutes away by Taxi. Great.. More $$$. No problem! I hunt my original taxi guy down outside – tell him to take me to terminal 2. Back to the lovely traffic. Wait, wait, wait.. Wait for it!!! I finally arrive at Terminal 2 in 25 minutes. Now less than 30 minutes to catch my flight. I am fucked!
I left about 2.5 hours early… Knowing it will take me at least an hour to go 20 km with all of the traffic. I arrive to the airport and they only speak RUSSIAN. My gate is closed for some reason.. the Aeroflot office is closed… the administrator of the airport… she only speaks Russian… Tourist information. Nope. Not here. Help desk.. yeah right. In Russia? Flight information.. sure… speak Russian? Nope. Big Surprise there! The younger people do speak Russian and quite well. But it has been my experience that it is far and few between.
So I finally find a young Russian girl and she sells me a ticket to Moscow for $150 USD. But to a different airport in Moscow… not my original airport. Always nice to buy a ticket to the same place twice. Well… a different airport so maybe not the same place. I am sure I will have a good story upon my arrival. Especially since I have no clue where I am going. Can I log into the airport WIFI – sure. But the instructions are in Russian.
I am notorious for missing my flights – but I think that I have finally learned my lesson. This sucks and I want to be soooooooooooo mad. But I can’t. I am so angry but I am laughing at myself. I am learning patience – I am learning to deal with difficulty and humility. I would consider myself a very seasoned traveler.. but I have to admit that Russia has been the most difficult country I have traveled in. From getting a visa, to language, to eating, to finding a place to go out… It has been an amazing learning experience – frustrating… yes but also rewarding. You bet. There is a reason for this… I just do not know it yet.
I finally arrive at the St Petersburg airport after a nice scenic 1.5 hour drive from the city center. 20 km away. Traffic here is horrific… think LA at Rush Hour… and then it is that bad but forever. Km after km.. bumper to bumper.. weaving in and out.. in and out and we are making progress. I am in the back reading Alan Greenspan – Ironically learning about the Russian and South American economies. Free Markets and Populist leaders. The taxi stops. Driver tells me something in Russian… gets out – goes to the trunk – dons a glove and grabs a screwdriver… The hood comes up.. a little mechanic work and some strong Russian words – gets the Lada back into shape. Driver gets back into the car, smiles, and off we go again. No clue what that was about… but ok… We laugh and it’s all good.
Only problem… traffic makes me miss my flight. Taxi driver drops me off at Terminal 1. Aeroflot leaves from Terminal 2. Oops. I show him my ticket – in English of course… he says he understands – but obviously not. I walk into terminal 1 with a bad feeling – No Aeroflot signs. No check in…I wander around – asking everyone – no English.. then a British Airways gal tells me I am at the Wrong Airport. No problem.. Terminal 2 is less than 20 minutes away by Taxi. Great.. More $$$. No problem! I hunt my original taxi guy down outside – tell him to take me to terminal 2. Back to the lovely traffic. Wait, wait, wait.. Wait for it!!! I finally arrive at Terminal 2 in 25 minutes. Now less than 30 minutes to catch my flight. I am fucked!
I left about 2.5 hours early… Knowing it will take me at least an hour to go 20 km with all of the traffic. I arrive to the airport and they only speak RUSSIAN. My gate is closed for some reason.. the Aeroflot office is closed… the administrator of the airport… she only speaks Russian… Tourist information. Nope. Not here. Help desk.. yeah right. In Russia? Flight information.. sure… speak Russian? Nope. Big Surprise there! The younger people do speak Russian and quite well. But it has been my experience that it is far and few between.
So I finally find a young Russian girl and she sells me a ticket to Moscow for $150 USD. But to a different airport in Moscow… not my original airport. Always nice to buy a ticket to the same place twice. Well… a different airport so maybe not the same place. I am sure I will have a good story upon my arrival. Especially since I have no clue where I am going. Can I log into the airport WIFI – sure. But the instructions are in Russian.
I am notorious for missing my flights – but I think that I have finally learned my lesson. This sucks and I want to be soooooooooooo mad. But I can’t. I am so angry but I am laughing at myself. I am learning patience – I am learning to deal with difficulty and humility. I would consider myself a very seasoned traveler.. but I have to admit that Russia has been the most difficult country I have traveled in. From getting a visa, to language, to eating, to finding a place to go out… It has been an amazing learning experience – frustrating… yes but also rewarding. You bet. There is a reason for this… I just do not know it yet.
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
St Petersburg, Russia
Day 1… Shitty
I arrived this am – the airport is tiny for such a large city. No one speaks English and everything is in Russian – I am lost. Big time… I finally catch a cab – started at 1800 ruples… talked the guy down to 1000 after about 45 minutes – still probably getting taken advantage of. And off we go – and lovely yellow ford of some type. As we travel down the highway – my first sight some very old Russian automobiles and nuclear power cooling towers - as the steam cools in the cold morning air I get my first taste of St Petersburg driving. Normally there is some type of order when it comes to driving… lanes are nicely separated, lines are painted on the asphalt – some type of respect of give and take. Not so much… In Russia that does not exist. From having a 3 and 4 lane rush to get onto the freeway, taxi drivers barreling down the shoulder, weaving in and out of traffic in a desperate race to reach the city first. As we wait, and wait, and wait some more in bumper to bumper traffic – I look to my right just in time to see people leaping off the sidewalk as a black Range Rover races by… 2 minutes later – a Nissan Maxima follows in its footsteps.
As I arrive in my hostel – I am a little concerned. Very, very bad neighborhood – trash everywhere – and then when I finally get in… signs everywhere not to drink the water… I have to boil it first. Oh… and don’t leave anything of value in your room. I am supposed to use the hostel safe. I am also welcome to use the community shower – think high school locker rooms with no dividers between shower stalls. Internet… yeah right. Don’t even think about it. After receiving my set of 27 year old tattered sheets I head up the four flights of stairs to my star room – with a 3 inch mattress – peeling walls, and probably the nastiest bathrooms I have ever seen. 2 toilets for the entire floor. I accidently peek on some fat hairy foreigner in the shower… oops… I get yelled at in some foreign language and peace out cub scout.. Nolando loads up the backpack with valuables and hits the street. After my leisurely 4 mile walk to civilization I find the tourist office.. nope… No English. So I head to the water – hop on a boat.. . go to some Island… no clue where I am going… what I am doing, etc… They ask me in Russian – I nod… I have a ticket to some place… then after a 30 minute boat ride I watch St. Petersburg disappear in the smog and pollution and arrive at some sanctuary… again… nothing is in English so I have no clue what I am looking at. It is nature – some museum of sleighs… (yeah… like santa drives in the winter) and lots of water features, statues, gardens, etc..…..
After waiting 2 hours for the boat to come back I begin my blog, watching the sun set, the waves lapping at the sides of the boat and my mind wondering about my day – processing…thinking… and searching for meaning.
After my boat ride I return to Saint Petersburg and find a hotel. $300 a night.. but the city is sold out… and right now… all I want is someone who speaks English, a comfy bed, and some food.
I go out for 2 beers…Wednesday night.. town is dead.
Day 2 and 3
Shitty…but not as bad. Only the morning was frustrating. And… that is part of the experience. Went shopping for a power adapter – after being directed from place, to place, to place… I finally found one. Nothing like a little show and tell. I show you the power adapter.. and you tell me if you have one by nodding your head yes or no.
I want to blog a bit about language and communication… Especially being a psychologist – language and communication are very different. Language, I think; is perhaps our most important asset as a human being. Communication, in my viewpoint, implies understanding. Language, of some sort, transcends across all cultures. Unfortunately, understanding (I.e. communication) does not always follow.
Lets give an example. Привет – do you know what that means? Try Hello. Pronounced ‘PreeVYet’ with lots of rolling r’s. I do not even see an ‘r’ in there… but ok. I remember reading a quote somewhere: “ If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American.” How true is this? Russian has never even been offered at any institution of learning that I have attended. Neither has Chinese – yet these nations are both Superpowers. And they are heavily populated with some of the most brilliant people on earth. Why are these languages not offered? Is it a way to keep power in check? Are there economic or government reasons? If you cannot speak the language of another can you truly learn about their experiences? Their culture… their opinions, viewpoints...
If you cannot communicate then you cannot change a viewpoint. Communication is the key to pedagogy and learning. It is how we develop our identity and form stereotypes. Is language the great separator? Maybe even more powerful than money, skin color, race, gender, sex, or class? .Perhaps it communication and understanding that keeps people apart – creates the great divide and holds back competing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences. Language is the most imperfect, confusing, ambiguous, and expensive means yet discovered for communicating thought, feelings in hopes of making some meaning of the world.
There is an amazing little spot on the 5th floor of a shopping mall – called Seven Sky bar. It is very cool, hip, and modern. It is here that I had my first conversation about Russia. Anna is a very beautiful IT consultant for a Trust Bank in St Petersburg. We talked about economics, culture, Russia, USA, and even the conflict in Georgia. I think Media is such an interesting medium. Again.. not language but communication. Most of the media in the Russian Federation is state run and controlled. Even though Russians have great freedoms of speech and the Russian Federation is a democracy the government still has tremendous controls. The story that we in the American media got about Georigia is radically different than the story the Russians got. In essence – Georgia was once a part of USSR. Then with the Russian Federation and fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 – became its own country. There is an area within Georgia – Ostensia which wants to separate from Georgia. There has been conflict with this area and the Georgian government. Keep in mind the Georgian government has thrown million and millions of dollars in lobbying money at Bush. It turns out that Georgia sent its troops this area – there was some fighting and then Russia sent their army to fight the Georgians.
Yesterday was actually a great day. I saw almost all of the sights of St Petersburg and it is truly an amazing city. Undeniably beautiful, old, romantic…the city is crisscrossed by several canals – and it is called by some the Venice of the North. No, no gondolas but hoards of tourist boats. The interesting thing – is not much has changed. There are very few new buildings here. The highest building is 5 stories – since nothing can be taller than the old royal palace. No modern hotels or sky scrapers, no intricate glass and steel – just basic concrete block design with some modern interior touches.
Day 3 was the Hermitage Museum.. think the Met in New York or the Louvre in Paris. It was that good and that beautiful. See the posted pics… the artwork and the building in and of itself were amazing.
Day 1… Shitty
I arrived this am – the airport is tiny for such a large city. No one speaks English and everything is in Russian – I am lost. Big time… I finally catch a cab – started at 1800 ruples… talked the guy down to 1000 after about 45 minutes – still probably getting taken advantage of. And off we go – and lovely yellow ford of some type. As we travel down the highway – my first sight some very old Russian automobiles and nuclear power cooling towers - as the steam cools in the cold morning air I get my first taste of St Petersburg driving. Normally there is some type of order when it comes to driving… lanes are nicely separated, lines are painted on the asphalt – some type of respect of give and take. Not so much… In Russia that does not exist. From having a 3 and 4 lane rush to get onto the freeway, taxi drivers barreling down the shoulder, weaving in and out of traffic in a desperate race to reach the city first. As we wait, and wait, and wait some more in bumper to bumper traffic – I look to my right just in time to see people leaping off the sidewalk as a black Range Rover races by… 2 minutes later – a Nissan Maxima follows in its footsteps.
As I arrive in my hostel – I am a little concerned. Very, very bad neighborhood – trash everywhere – and then when I finally get in… signs everywhere not to drink the water… I have to boil it first. Oh… and don’t leave anything of value in your room. I am supposed to use the hostel safe. I am also welcome to use the community shower – think high school locker rooms with no dividers between shower stalls. Internet… yeah right. Don’t even think about it. After receiving my set of 27 year old tattered sheets I head up the four flights of stairs to my star room – with a 3 inch mattress – peeling walls, and probably the nastiest bathrooms I have ever seen. 2 toilets for the entire floor. I accidently peek on some fat hairy foreigner in the shower… oops… I get yelled at in some foreign language and peace out cub scout.. Nolando loads up the backpack with valuables and hits the street. After my leisurely 4 mile walk to civilization I find the tourist office.. nope… No English. So I head to the water – hop on a boat.. . go to some Island… no clue where I am going… what I am doing, etc… They ask me in Russian – I nod… I have a ticket to some place… then after a 30 minute boat ride I watch St. Petersburg disappear in the smog and pollution and arrive at some sanctuary… again… nothing is in English so I have no clue what I am looking at. It is nature – some museum of sleighs… (yeah… like santa drives in the winter) and lots of water features, statues, gardens, etc..…..
After waiting 2 hours for the boat to come back I begin my blog, watching the sun set, the waves lapping at the sides of the boat and my mind wondering about my day – processing…thinking… and searching for meaning.
After my boat ride I return to Saint Petersburg and find a hotel. $300 a night.. but the city is sold out… and right now… all I want is someone who speaks English, a comfy bed, and some food.
I go out for 2 beers…Wednesday night.. town is dead.
Day 2 and 3
Shitty…but not as bad. Only the morning was frustrating. And… that is part of the experience. Went shopping for a power adapter – after being directed from place, to place, to place… I finally found one. Nothing like a little show and tell. I show you the power adapter.. and you tell me if you have one by nodding your head yes or no.
I want to blog a bit about language and communication… Especially being a psychologist – language and communication are very different. Language, I think; is perhaps our most important asset as a human being. Communication, in my viewpoint, implies understanding. Language, of some sort, transcends across all cultures. Unfortunately, understanding (I.e. communication) does not always follow.
Lets give an example. Привет – do you know what that means? Try Hello. Pronounced ‘PreeVYet’ with lots of rolling r’s. I do not even see an ‘r’ in there… but ok. I remember reading a quote somewhere: “ If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American.” How true is this? Russian has never even been offered at any institution of learning that I have attended. Neither has Chinese – yet these nations are both Superpowers. And they are heavily populated with some of the most brilliant people on earth. Why are these languages not offered? Is it a way to keep power in check? Are there economic or government reasons? If you cannot speak the language of another can you truly learn about their experiences? Their culture… their opinions, viewpoints...
If you cannot communicate then you cannot change a viewpoint. Communication is the key to pedagogy and learning. It is how we develop our identity and form stereotypes. Is language the great separator? Maybe even more powerful than money, skin color, race, gender, sex, or class? .Perhaps it communication and understanding that keeps people apart – creates the great divide and holds back competing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences. Language is the most imperfect, confusing, ambiguous, and expensive means yet discovered for communicating thought, feelings in hopes of making some meaning of the world.
There is an amazing little spot on the 5th floor of a shopping mall – called Seven Sky bar. It is very cool, hip, and modern. It is here that I had my first conversation about Russia. Anna is a very beautiful IT consultant for a Trust Bank in St Petersburg. We talked about economics, culture, Russia, USA, and even the conflict in Georgia. I think Media is such an interesting medium. Again.. not language but communication. Most of the media in the Russian Federation is state run and controlled. Even though Russians have great freedoms of speech and the Russian Federation is a democracy the government still has tremendous controls. The story that we in the American media got about Georigia is radically different than the story the Russians got. In essence – Georgia was once a part of USSR. Then with the Russian Federation and fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 – became its own country. There is an area within Georgia – Ostensia which wants to separate from Georgia. There has been conflict with this area and the Georgian government. Keep in mind the Georgian government has thrown million and millions of dollars in lobbying money at Bush. It turns out that Georgia sent its troops this area – there was some fighting and then Russia sent their army to fight the Georgians.
Yesterday was actually a great day. I saw almost all of the sights of St Petersburg and it is truly an amazing city. Undeniably beautiful, old, romantic…the city is crisscrossed by several canals – and it is called by some the Venice of the North. No, no gondolas but hoards of tourist boats. The interesting thing – is not much has changed. There are very few new buildings here. The highest building is 5 stories – since nothing can be taller than the old royal palace. No modern hotels or sky scrapers, no intricate glass and steel – just basic concrete block design with some modern interior touches.
Day 3 was the Hermitage Museum.. think the Met in New York or the Louvre in Paris. It was that good and that beautiful. See the posted pics… the artwork and the building in and of itself were amazing.
RIGA, Latvia
RIGA, LATVIA
A small town - but the largest city in Latvia. The Baltic countries are amazingly beautiful - the Baltics include the countries of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. All of these countries were once part of the USSR before the Berlin Wall fall and the Iron Curtain was lifted. The landscape is amazing – each country has approximately 40 % forest – everything is very green – and there is evidence that autumn has arrived with cold wind, sun and stark temperatures, and colorful leaves. The stylish Europeans are out – scarves, high boots, gloves, and hats… I am envious that I am living out of a small carryon bag with no room for anything except my American t-shirts and 2 pairs of jeans.
The biggest surprise that I have encountered is the tragedies and experiences of the Baltic people. Each country was formerly occupied by Russia and the atrocities, genocide, death, and destruction resulting from Russian occupation leaves a very serious mark. Old soviet style block buildings sit amidst newer sky scrapers. Square, concrete, dark… many in desperate need of repair. In Lithuania and Latvia the architecture rivals that of Prague. Art Noveau is the theme – think old Victorian houses in San Francisco but better. Lion heads, Greek Gods and varying shades of pink, purple, orange, brown, and grey line the streets. Trollies from the 1950’s line the streets and it seems that every town has an old KGB headquarters. Riga was no different – but they had even more… Riga is home to the Museum of occupation - giving a detailed account of what Russia has left behind.
I remember on my first trip to Europe when I visited the old German concentration camp Dachau…. Hundred of thousands of people died here in the furnaces and gas chambers. You enter the camp through the original iron gate that every prisoner and victim of the holocaust passed through… the words “Albiet Mach Frei’ – work will set you free – coldly incscribed in in Iron stare you in the face. As you enter the museum of occupation you are met with a similar feeling. Your stomach coming up through your throat – detailed accounts of people being loaded into train cars… shipped off to work camps and never being seen again. The uniforms worn by the people of Jewish faith… the infamous star… you ticket to death, pain, suffering, and difference. The thing that strikes me most is that these atrocities are not much older than 50 years… Neither are civil rights in the USA. Try that on for size…
Anytime you travel I think you cannot help but think about stereotypes or compare. It is so interesting when people tell me that I am not like other Americans. How so… I find it comical that we have a preconceived notion about someone – before they even open their mouths. And how often are those preconceived ideologies true. How are they formed? How are they broken… how are they reformed?
A small town - but the largest city in Latvia. The Baltic countries are amazingly beautiful - the Baltics include the countries of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. All of these countries were once part of the USSR before the Berlin Wall fall and the Iron Curtain was lifted. The landscape is amazing – each country has approximately 40 % forest – everything is very green – and there is evidence that autumn has arrived with cold wind, sun and stark temperatures, and colorful leaves. The stylish Europeans are out – scarves, high boots, gloves, and hats… I am envious that I am living out of a small carryon bag with no room for anything except my American t-shirts and 2 pairs of jeans.
The biggest surprise that I have encountered is the tragedies and experiences of the Baltic people. Each country was formerly occupied by Russia and the atrocities, genocide, death, and destruction resulting from Russian occupation leaves a very serious mark. Old soviet style block buildings sit amidst newer sky scrapers. Square, concrete, dark… many in desperate need of repair. In Lithuania and Latvia the architecture rivals that of Prague. Art Noveau is the theme – think old Victorian houses in San Francisco but better. Lion heads, Greek Gods and varying shades of pink, purple, orange, brown, and grey line the streets. Trollies from the 1950’s line the streets and it seems that every town has an old KGB headquarters. Riga was no different – but they had even more… Riga is home to the Museum of occupation - giving a detailed account of what Russia has left behind.
I remember on my first trip to Europe when I visited the old German concentration camp Dachau…. Hundred of thousands of people died here in the furnaces and gas chambers. You enter the camp through the original iron gate that every prisoner and victim of the holocaust passed through… the words “Albiet Mach Frei’ – work will set you free – coldly incscribed in in Iron stare you in the face. As you enter the museum of occupation you are met with a similar feeling. Your stomach coming up through your throat – detailed accounts of people being loaded into train cars… shipped off to work camps and never being seen again. The uniforms worn by the people of Jewish faith… the infamous star… you ticket to death, pain, suffering, and difference. The thing that strikes me most is that these atrocities are not much older than 50 years… Neither are civil rights in the USA. Try that on for size…
Anytime you travel I think you cannot help but think about stereotypes or compare. It is so interesting when people tell me that I am not like other Americans. How so… I find it comical that we have a preconceived notion about someone – before they even open their mouths. And how often are those preconceived ideologies true. How are they formed? How are they broken… how are they reformed?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
FACADE
FAÇADE
So… I really took some time to think today. Me… alone… nothing but water, nature, and the elements above and around me. One thing that I truly love is the questioning of viewpoints. Ahh….the wonderful question of why. Why do we believe the way we do? How do our ideas become so subscribed that they show up continually and never change? Are we addicted to our beliefs much like our weekly TV shows and daily routines? Is it that we fear change or is it that immense a challenge to re-evaluate ourselves and our relationships?
One of my toughest Critics is Dr. Mary Maples. She is like a mother to me and is probably harder on me that anyone ever has been. She cuts to the point and lays it out – and sometimes it is literally enough to lay you out! She once told me that I needed to drop my façade – that I wasn’t as cool or as tough as I think I am. The way she said it crushed me – it bruised my ego – and god… did I hate her for this – but only for a moment. After I scurried away like a wounded animal – I went in my hole to die – or shall I say be reborn.
I am currently reading Alan Greenspan’s book – the Age of Turbulence – which lays out the economic history not only of America but that of the World and how the flattening effects of technology are changing the landscape forever. What can an Economist teach us about personal growth? Quite a bit actually… much like economies, people prosper and fail. Greenspan writes:
“The evidence suggests that rising incomes do raise happiness, but only up to a point in time. Beyond the point at which basic needs are met, happiness is a relative stat that, over the long run, is largely detached from e3conmic growth. The evidence shows it is determined mainly by how we view our lives and accomplishments relative to those of our peers. As prosperity spreads, or perhaps even as a result of its spread, many people fear competition and change that threaten their sense of status, which is critical to their self esteem. Happiness depends far more on how peoples incomes compare with those of their perceived peers, or even those of their role models, than on how they are doing in any absolute material sense”
How do we then measure success? Obviously those who are very successful in the working sense are greatly rewarded financially. The best sales people make the most. The best leader (theoretically) should by the president or CEO.
A couple of things….
I think:
The world is generally speaking – insecure. People depend on others – we need others to complete ourselves.
American culture is tied to success, ego, and image.
A couple of confessions:
Until the tumultuous downtown of our economy I identified too much with my success. Namely my monetary / investment success and my performance in the financial market at work.
I am full of shit. Yeah… I know a lot about a lot of things but I am not the expert. However – I am the pro of ‘fake it – till you make it’.
I try way too hard to impress people. My accomplishments are just that.. my accomplishments. The rest of the world does not need to know where I went to school, the type of car I drive, my GPA, or the stories of my success. They do, however, need to know that I am genuine, cultured, accepting, and a good person.
So… I really took some time to think today. Me… alone… nothing but water, nature, and the elements above and around me. One thing that I truly love is the questioning of viewpoints. Ahh….the wonderful question of why. Why do we believe the way we do? How do our ideas become so subscribed that they show up continually and never change? Are we addicted to our beliefs much like our weekly TV shows and daily routines? Is it that we fear change or is it that immense a challenge to re-evaluate ourselves and our relationships?
One of my toughest Critics is Dr. Mary Maples. She is like a mother to me and is probably harder on me that anyone ever has been. She cuts to the point and lays it out – and sometimes it is literally enough to lay you out! She once told me that I needed to drop my façade – that I wasn’t as cool or as tough as I think I am. The way she said it crushed me – it bruised my ego – and god… did I hate her for this – but only for a moment. After I scurried away like a wounded animal – I went in my hole to die – or shall I say be reborn.
I am currently reading Alan Greenspan’s book – the Age of Turbulence – which lays out the economic history not only of America but that of the World and how the flattening effects of technology are changing the landscape forever. What can an Economist teach us about personal growth? Quite a bit actually… much like economies, people prosper and fail. Greenspan writes:
“The evidence suggests that rising incomes do raise happiness, but only up to a point in time. Beyond the point at which basic needs are met, happiness is a relative stat that, over the long run, is largely detached from e3conmic growth. The evidence shows it is determined mainly by how we view our lives and accomplishments relative to those of our peers. As prosperity spreads, or perhaps even as a result of its spread, many people fear competition and change that threaten their sense of status, which is critical to their self esteem. Happiness depends far more on how peoples incomes compare with those of their perceived peers, or even those of their role models, than on how they are doing in any absolute material sense”
How do we then measure success? Obviously those who are very successful in the working sense are greatly rewarded financially. The best sales people make the most. The best leader (theoretically) should by the president or CEO.
A couple of things….
I think:
The world is generally speaking – insecure. People depend on others – we need others to complete ourselves.
American culture is tied to success, ego, and image.
A couple of confessions:
Until the tumultuous downtown of our economy I identified too much with my success. Namely my monetary / investment success and my performance in the financial market at work.
I am full of shit. Yeah… I know a lot about a lot of things but I am not the expert. However – I am the pro of ‘fake it – till you make it’.
I try way too hard to impress people. My accomplishments are just that.. my accomplishments. The rest of the world does not need to know where I went to school, the type of car I drive, my GPA, or the stories of my success. They do, however, need to know that I am genuine, cultured, accepting, and a good person.
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