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In this episode we present more observations and insights taken from the experience of a Russian traveler to the UK. Everyday’s a school day Like a doting parent on the first day of school, ‘C’ drove his guest to language class; an attractive red brick building just a mere...

Last week we left ‘A’ -a Russian visitor to the UK- waiting on the darkened doorstep of a backstreet house in Bournemouth. Let’s continue. Pausing at the threshold Had his hosts abandoned him to the night and retired to bed? Perhaps ‘A’s first interaction would be to drag them...

Night pressed against the windows of the small bus as it pursued its scheduled path south-east of London towards the coast. It had been a long and eventful day – if waiting in expectation at various locations can be considered “events”, that is. Then, there was the flight...

This week we have something special, an insight into an important aspect of Russian culture, directly from the heart and mind of a citizen, close friend and very special individual. It concerns an especially emotive subject: the remembrance of Russians, former Soviet citizens and...

  There are a few more points to raise in the second of this two-part article concerning ‘S’s trip to the USA. As an addendum to the ‘Opposing Worlds’ series, we have been hearing about the experience from the perspective of ‘B’ and ‘G’, ‘S’s hosts. There are no tales of...

Recently we presented the short series: Opposing Worlds, where “S” from Russia visited America (specifically: Arizona) for the first time. Whilst the focus here is usually upon westerners heading east, it was interesting to hear the reverse perspective – all in an attempt...

Last week we took an overview of the Immortal Regiment procession, the major Russian display of remembrance that grew out of a Siberian grassroots initiative to be embraced by the authorities and exported via Moscow to the world. The event is also more multicultural than we may...

Little did they know at the time, but their dour faces would fit the occasion perfectly: 74 years later and still counting. With every step, these portraits dip and shift gently as if their subjects were present instead, marching in a swathe across Red Square; a vast, snaking...

Here, in this final examination of ‘S’s American adventure, we’ll turn over a few more stones in the desert to reveal aspects of America as seen through the eyes of a stranger. I plan to return to these proceedings with one further twist in the tale: yet another viewpoint still....

Following last week’s introduction to a Russian traveller’s American experiences, it’s time to hear from the man: ‘S’, himself. His journey started a few years before the flight left Moscow; when ‘S’ made an acquaintance, -later a friend; ‘B’ on a language practice site. With...