Last Thoughts!

Last thoughts of our time  in Russia I am typing this on the flight home. We are ready to go but what an adventure we have had. We have learned so much about our friends in the Russian Federation and have put to bed many preconceptions. The Russians have a tumultuous history, but they have incredible resilience. I especially found that the women were strong, smart, determined. Not one woman we talked with was unopinionated, and most had strong ideas. Will would say "what's new?" but, for some reason I found Russian women open and frank. Our questions were answered without filter and I found this refreshing. Maybe it is a new found freedom to be able to share their opinions but I could have asked a zillion more questions just to hear their answers. Not to discount our wonderful male guides...Michael was just as opinionated and informative but I felt like he was the sensitive man-type (from his charity work) and that he was the exception and not the rule. As to dark and scary, Russian is nyet! Although at times a bureaucratic nightmare, we could have been in any western country. Food was plentiful, with restaurants and markets that could be the envy of anyone. Fashion, well, re-read my Fashionista blog. Religion was a bit confusing. My opinion is that there is freedom of all religions now, a clear sign of the change from the Soviet era. There were beautiful  Mosques, especially the Blue Mosque in St. Petersburg. Jewish Temples and Catholic Churches. And, of course,  the gadzillion onion domed Russian Orthodox churches and cathedrals.  When asked, a guide in St. Pete's told us whole generations were brought up without knowing anything about religion and faith except for visiting the Soviet's Museum for Non-Religion housed in beautiful St. Isaacs Cathedral. She felt that presently many attendees to mass may be fulfilling a rite and not a deep spiritual commitment.  She said that since the revolution in 1917  parents could not take the chance that if they told their children about their faith that their child might go to school and tell a friend who in turn told their parent. Many Soviet citizens were imprisoned, exiled or simply disappeared for practicing their faith. The risk was too great and now the tradition of passing one's faith from generation to generation was  lost for 70 years or two generations.  She did tell me that she was baptized at 21, right after Gorbachev came to power and she will let her child have the freedom to choose to practice or to believe. As to politics, Russians are beaming with their freedom to own property and to own a business. Many were cynical about Putin and this was the only time I found anyone guarded when answering questions. One guide said that in theory they were supposed to have the freedom to criticize the President but that if one is overheard, it could do permanent harm to one's career.  Sad story: Four young girls dressed in masks made a You Tube music video in Christ The Savior Cathedral in Moscow about how even Jesus didn't want Putin as president. It went viral for several weeks until it was taken down. The four teenagers have been sentenced to seven years in prison. And, who can forget the journalist that was assassinated  several years ago for her critique of Putin and his policies? Many Russians speak a foreign language and education is very important to them. Craftsmen and artists are held in high esteem and there is much pride in all disciplines. So much more but I'll leave it here. We are coming home with many wonderful memories of our two weeks in Russia. There is much of the country we did not see but I think I will look into the Trans-Siberian Express for maybe an adventure in the future!? PS  Katherine told me this morning that Americans complain too much and just don't realize how lucky we are and how much we have. I would call this trip a success!!!