Walking in itself is the same thing everywhere throughout the world. But where you walk isn't the same...especially when comparing the USA's and Russia's expectations regarding the matter. In the USA, the pedestrian has the right-of-way without doubt or question. In Russia, you better be careful and make sure that cars have stopped before entering a crosswalk or else it could cost you your life.
About three weeks ago there was a tragic event here in Surgut. A man was waiting to meet his wife at a cafe. She called him to tell him that she was almost there, and would only be a couple of minutes because she was across the street. She started to cross the street when the crossing signal was on the red man, so she decided to stop and wait. When the man turned green she started to walk...and was immediately struck dead by a car. When walking in parking lots, or areas between stores, it is always imperative to watch for cars because they simply don't watch out for pedestrians. Keep these facts in mind while watching the video I recorded while walking (the evident camera on my head didn't even help to deter from the standard norm). You will see a couple buses and marshrutkas. Marshrutkas are basically vans which sometimes cram as many people as possible (buses too, but this scenario is more frequent on marshrutkas).
For the most part, grocery stores are about the same in Russia, but much smaller with fewer options (there are exceptions, which I will post about later). The basic options are the same: dairy products (but many more in Russia), meat, bread, fruits and vegetables, canned and boxed goods, toiletries, candy and miscellaneous. It doesn't get much simpler than that. In short, there are simply much fewer options in Russia, of all the crap to buy. I cannot fully express how much I miss Green Chile, marshmallows, graham crackers, nilla wafers, ginger snaps and even more things which I fail to remember at the moment. However on the flip side, there isn't the food chemical industry in Russia. There is no need for a label that says something is made with artificial flavors...because there are no artificial flavors. In some imported candies such as Skittles perhaps (but Skittles in the USA and Skittles in Russia are drastically different, so perhaps not).
Please comment on how many identical brands that you see in the video, and you see at some store near you. I already gave you one: Skittles! Also, I am seeking for identical brands, not identical items (for example Skittles, not candy). Try to enlist a second pair of eyes to help, as there are "a few" and you must be vigilant, scanning the stores as I walk through them. Please comment below, how many you notice. If someone out there comments the correct number (the number I agree with, based on the video...because yes, there are more than are shown in the video), then I will request an address to mail a prize.
I hope you enjoy the video! (It was recorded the 17th of April, 2015, in an unusually warm Spring for here.)
Any requests out there for certain sights to see in photos or on video?
Also, as I am new to blogging, any advice or suggestions are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated!
(Music Credits after video. I already know for future videos, to include the credits at the end of the video.)
Music Credits
1. "A Russian Circus Story" by The Freak Fandango Orchestra
CC BY SA
2. ""Gray Is The Sky" by Three Chain Links
CC BY
3. "Drive Fast" by Three Chain Links
CC BY
4. "Snoday" by P C III
CC BY
5. "A Russian Circus Story" by The Freak Fandango Orchestra
CC BY SA
About three weeks ago there was a tragic event here in Surgut. A man was waiting to meet his wife at a cafe. She called him to tell him that she was almost there, and would only be a couple of minutes because she was across the street. She started to cross the street when the crossing signal was on the red man, so she decided to stop and wait. When the man turned green she started to walk...and was immediately struck dead by a car. When walking in parking lots, or areas between stores, it is always imperative to watch for cars because they simply don't watch out for pedestrians. Keep these facts in mind while watching the video I recorded while walking (the evident camera on my head didn't even help to deter from the standard norm). You will see a couple buses and marshrutkas. Marshrutkas are basically vans which sometimes cram as many people as possible (buses too, but this scenario is more frequent on marshrutkas).
For the most part, grocery stores are about the same in Russia, but much smaller with fewer options (there are exceptions, which I will post about later). The basic options are the same: dairy products (but many more in Russia), meat, bread, fruits and vegetables, canned and boxed goods, toiletries, candy and miscellaneous. It doesn't get much simpler than that. In short, there are simply much fewer options in Russia, of all the crap to buy. I cannot fully express how much I miss Green Chile, marshmallows, graham crackers, nilla wafers, ginger snaps and even more things which I fail to remember at the moment. However on the flip side, there isn't the food chemical industry in Russia. There is no need for a label that says something is made with artificial flavors...because there are no artificial flavors. In some imported candies such as Skittles perhaps (but Skittles in the USA and Skittles in Russia are drastically different, so perhaps not).
Please comment on how many identical brands that you see in the video, and you see at some store near you. I already gave you one: Skittles! Also, I am seeking for identical brands, not identical items (for example Skittles, not candy). Try to enlist a second pair of eyes to help, as there are "a few" and you must be vigilant, scanning the stores as I walk through them. Please comment below, how many you notice. If someone out there comments the correct number (the number I agree with, based on the video...because yes, there are more than are shown in the video), then I will request an address to mail a prize.
I hope you enjoy the video! (It was recorded the 17th of April, 2015, in an unusually warm Spring for here.)
Any requests out there for certain sights to see in photos or on video?
Also, as I am new to blogging, any advice or suggestions are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated!
(Music Credits after video. I already know for future videos, to include the credits at the end of the video.)
1. "A Russian Circus Story" by The Freak Fandango Orchestra
CC BY SA
2. ""Gray Is The Sky" by Three Chain Links
CC BY
3. "Drive Fast" by Three Chain Links
CC BY
4. "Snoday" by P C III
CC BY
5. "A Russian Circus Story" by The Freak Fandango Orchestra
CC BY SA
You do realise mister friend brother that in the town of Surgut literally and I mean literally every driver driving a car will in absolutely all possible cases stop a mile before he spots a pedestrian crossing a road in order to let him pass calmly? What exactly are you on about claiming you need to watch out for your life as a pedestrian in russia?
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