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Homestay,
Moscow, Russia
After touring and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful country of Bulgaria for eight weeks, we boarded a Russian Aeroflot plane and flew into the capital of Russia, Moscow. The flight was only two hours. I had never flown on a Russian plane this big before and was surprised at its size, interior space and offered comfort. The service crew was impeccable and began serving snacks and drinks as quickly as the plane reached its cruising attitude. Within twenty minutes of our takeoff we were enjoying a tastefully prepared dinner. There was a tour group on board and the As an American, we are constantly bombarded with rhetoric about the potential dangers of traveling abroad. America's travel warnings are so absurd, it's a wonder anyone leaves their house. It's sad that only ten percent of Americans even have a passport, but even sadder that only half that number ever use them. Most of the cities around the world, even the hundreds we have toured, receive a travel advisory warning from America. At no time, anywhere in this world, have I ever felt as threaten as when I do walking down a street in any city right there in the good ole USA. We are, after all, the most dangerous country. We have the highest crime rate, the most bizarre crimes, the most violent criminals and the most prisons. So, be leery of what you read from good ole Uncle Sam....he is extremely biased! The government's belief is that if you are afraid to wander around the globe you will stay at home, work harder, spend your money and pay more taxes, giving them more control over you and your life and of course by doing this, you will keep funding the ludicrous military budget. The oil companies wouldn't be too happy if Bush and his cronies didn't' do as they're told. World...beware...the American eagle has bombs! Politics leave a bad taste in my mouth, so on with the story.
The plane touched down and we filed in line for the Russian immigration. I was hoping this wouldn't be a negative experience and was pleasantly surprised at how easy and quick it was. Touching down at Midnight, the 26th of Aug. 2003, we were standing outside the airport in the cool night air at around 12:30. Being our first time in this city, in fact, in this country, we were anxious with anticipation, but our first priority was to get to our prearranged accommodations. We had took the initial effort to research our many possible choices and had decided to stay with a Russian host family. The apartment we were to share was in the heart of Moscow, allowing easy access to the city. We were soon to learn just how fortunate we were to have chosen this one particular Russian family as our hosts... They were great! After a long and tiring taxi ride from the airport, we arrived downtown. The taxi driver even threw in a short, but revitalizing tour of the eerie red glow of the Red Square lighting up the low hanging clouds. A short distance later we were dropped off in front of a massively impressive Gothic building. The structure and architecture was overpowering. The building stood about thirty stories tall and had been commissioned by the infamous Communist leader, Stalin, himself, but wasn't completed until the reign of President Kruschev in the 1950's. The original hotel had later been sectioned into two separate entities, one side of the building was refurbished and sold as individual apartments, while the second half of this massive building remained a luxury hotel. The building shares one name, Hotel Ukraine. There are seven of these huge buildings built around the same time and most are on the banks of the Moscow river, circling the famous Red Square. They are called The Seven Sisters. We stood in the cool dark night in front of this foreboding building and couldn't help but feel engulfed by the night and our pending adventure in this mysterious land. We had wanted to experience the real Moscow, not as visitors or tourists and thats why we chose to stay with a real working family. We were a little nervous about meeting them, but didn't have long to ponder. A stout man, dressed entirely in black, the color of choice in Russia, walked hurriedly toward us and, in fairly good English, introduced himself. I, personally, was relieved....to say the least. Sasha, our host, helped us with our bags and led us through the huge double doors and into the interior of the building. Silence ruled as we went up to the fifth floor in the elevator. Lugging our bags, we waited as he opened his apt. door, exposing its luxury. Each of the five huge rooms were tastefully decorated and this was not what I had expected of a typical Russian family. Obviously everything we had heard, from the countless news articles over the last few years, about the wide spread violence and poverty in Moscow was just more propaganda. We shared the apartment with him, his lovely wife, Lena and their two boys, 8 and 12, for an entire week. We had two separate rooms for ourself, but full use of the entire apartment, even their computer and internet. All of this and home cooked meals for fifty dollars a day? Believe me, this was a great deal. We had searched around on the internet before arriving and discovered that Russia, especially its two major cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, were two of the highest priced cities in the world. If you can find a room in the high season near the city center expect to pay over $150 a night for a standard room, nothing included, and if you want luxury, double or triple that amount. This time we had made the right choice and had safe, comfortable, friendly and totally enjoyable lodging right in the heart of Moscow. We couldn't of asked for, or expected, better treatment from our Russian hosts. Sasha even drove us all over the city to make sure we didn't miss a thing. A great guy! Moscow is a beautiful, erotic city and we would recommend it as being a priority destination to anyone wanting to experience the ultimate, unforgettable vacation. Turn off your television and experience the many adventures of living your life to the fullest. When in Moscow, look up our new and cherished friends, Sasha and Lena and if you're nice....they may share their home with you. Tell them I said hello! Click here for Rates, Reservations, or just Inquiries! Review written by the touring editor; Mike Smith. This editorial in its entirety is the sole property of Travelers Digest and may not be distributed, sold or copied without prior written permission of Travelers Digest and/or its licensed representatives.
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Travelers Digest Navigation St Petersburg Travel Directory
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interchanging conversation and horseplay. I have come to enjoy and appreciate the simple freedoms that are enjoyed by most of the world and are sadden that we, as Americans have lost our right to be individuals. I can't even imagine that level of tolerance on an American flight. Most likely, you would be tackled, handcuffed and tried for interference of a flight crew. Where, oh where' have all our freedoms gone? I assume they left when our common sense did! But anyway... 