The Unpardonable Sin

I may have committed the unpardonable sin, I actually like this Justin Beiber video. It is getting a lot of play in Russia and I assume it is popular in the US as well. 

No Fat Russian Girls

At least that used to be true. In my first trip to Russia everyone one was thin. At least I felt a little self-conscious since I was over the borderline between overweight and obese. Now, overweight but not close to obese, I fit right in.

Sure, on that first trip there was the occasional beer belly and chunky babushka, but now it is common. It is only natural that we gain weight as we get older. For some reason the human metabolism changes as we age. If we eat the same foods we did when we were younger, we gain 5 to ten pounds a decade. Russia is getting older at an alarming rate, but what I am noticing is more than that.

It is not the restaurants. You can still get great meals for about the same price as the US, but these are gourmet meals. You might have to wait longer, as everything is made fresh. But I did notice that the desert sections of the menu are much larger now, and I see a lot of ice cream eating going on.

I am not sure why everyone here in Russia is heavier than in years past, but I do have a guess. Wherever the western diet spreads, people get sick and fat. I hope these observations will encourage me to continue eating well.

Traditional Russian Songs

Russian Music on television is interesting. It is often a mix of totally different styles, traditional songs like this mixed in with Russian Pop and yes some Russian Rap. Music in the US is way over genreized to the point that I find it unwatchable. I want variety. I think you have to admit that this is very different. 

A Little Swing

Personal Russia Update

While the air of decay is still present in Russia, it gets less noticeable every time I come here. Things are changing, mostly in a positive direction. 

There is a new Supermarket within walking distance of my mother-in-law's apartment. It has almost everything you might want, except a wide selection of fresh vegetables. Thus I have gained a few pounds. The lack of vegetables is not the only reason. There is this one thing I have found only in Russia, and at  Russian stores in America. It is half-way between cream cheese and cottage cheese and has bits of fruit filling. Sometimes it is dipped in chocolate. Yum. 

I am still amazed by certain aspects of Russian culture. We are right now having lunch in an arcade. It has free WiFI. They have a full traditional Russian cafe menu. And a modest wedding reception is taking place--right in the arcade. The dress is beautiful, but seeing the bride amidst the video games is a good example of culture shock. I used to be in the video game industry, and this is the cleanest arcade I have ever seen. 

I have blogged before on previous trips about Russia's littering problem. It is now no worse than America's, and yes, the trains run on time. 

I think that most Americans, especially the leaders, have an obsolete understanding of Russia. Eventually this will cost them. 

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