vacation photos you say... just returned from visiting home, St. Petersburg, Russia with a short detour to the Baltic.

In your first picture there are several cranes in the background, are they rebuilding the city or adding on to it?

 

St. Petersburg has three huge shipyards; perhaps that is where the cranes are.

 

I know how it can be [...] smiles are hard to come by.

Why is this? Is the stone face like an element of machismo in Russian culture? Seems odd the women are the same. Is growing up in Russia so arduous as to make one cold to the world?

but St. Petersburg is really nice. Most people are kind, [...]I usually end up helping foreigners buy plane and train tickets

Again, why? Why is St. Petersburg different? And are you different because you grew up there? Different culture?

I don't get it. You know the stereotype; the humor-less Russian who never smiles and is never too far away from a bottle of Vodka. I only ever knew one guy from Russia and he was a really nice guy, intelligent engineer, always smiling and very helpful. So I assumed the stereotype was either out dated or outright false. But after having been through the airport a few times on my way back and forth to Asia, I now lean toward it being accurate. Once while talking to my Russian friend, he mentioned that all his friends back home are drunkards with no future, and said that the reason is because it's so depressing there, and that's why he left. But it seems there are more depressing places to live (although I never tried living in Russia) where the people don't carry such a reputation for being bitter. Hence the question, why?

 

Why is this? Is the stone face like an element of machismo in Russian culture? Seems odd the women are the same. Is growing up in Russia so arduous as to make one cold to the world?

It isn't customary to smile in every culture. I've heard this about the scandinavians. Though they are generally happy and content, they just don't smile that much.

 

I've heard this about the scandinavians. Though they are generally happy and content, they just don't smile that much.

Whew! Finally an excuse for my social dysfunction. (I'm 1/2 Danish.)

 

I have a weak spot for Danish, especially blueberry.

 

A Danish roll is better than a Hawaiian punch, any day.

 

St. Petersburg has three huge shipyards; perhaps that is where the cranes are.

It is both - shipyards and the city is building outwards Beautiful city, many historical buildings have been restored

It is not customary to smile at strangers. First time I came to N. America, I thought it was very odd - people smiling at each other. Once you get to know people closer you will find that they often have a great sense of humor and are very friendly and open, but you have to cross the barrier first, it is a bit of a leap of faith.

I have just recently read this book and find that it describes russians quite well.

I don't think there is an answer to the question why people of different cultures seems to carry common characteristics, maybe sharing a common bond of some sort, a sort of marker. I found it difficult to be around most russians in russia (and here), their way of life is too high stress and dramatic for me, west coast has mellowed me out even more than what I was

 

I almost forgot, it is too bad I do not live on Vancouver Island anymore, I could have gotten together with Spinnaker

 

guess ,who is me

 

The one in blue outfit.

 

guess ,who is me

I guess that you have on the blue hat.

I guess that the picture was taken in the Yunnan Stone Forest.

I guess that the person in the purple is a tour guide.

I guess that the red flag is to help you find the guide.

I guess that the guide isn't Chinese.

Did I get any correct?

 

guess ,who is me

The Frito Bandito!

 

The hot girl in hot pink, is wearing a SARS mask?


Thought that was over with?

 

Georacer,will you po anything?

 

Georacer,will you po anything?

I don't understand what you're saying.

But your guide's dress is REALLY weird.

 

I don't understand what you're saying.

But your guide's dress is REALLY weird.

I think she just missed an "o"

 

I don't understand what you're saying.

But your guide's dress is REALLY weird.

ok,I mean "post"

and I admint I am boring now, stay in hotel, hang on the site

 

You are not boring now. Boring means it is not interesting.

You are bored, with nothing to do.

 

You are not boring now. Boring means it is not interesting.

You are bored, with nothing to do.

ohhhhhhhhhhh, thank you grandpa! in my impression, you are in grandpa class

I am going to study, keep away from bored