I Heart Russia

1. City traffic is bad, even worse than Manila. There's no specific time for their rush hour. It seems like rush hour for them lasts for almost the entire day. With at least eight lanes on both sides, I don’t understand why it is still traffic.



2. The metro (a.k.a. subway) in Moscow is the complete opposite of what a typical subway station should look like. It looks so elegant, adorned with nice chandeliers and mosaic paintings. If it weren't for the old and rusty trains, you'd think you're somewhere else.



3. Russians are blessed with good genes. Almost everybody can pass for a model. Everyone’s tall, white, and handsome. Everyone’s good looking. Unfortunately I was not able to take home some souvenir pictures with me. :(

4. Their cathedrals do not have benches or pews. Russians celebrate Mass standing, for two long hours! You won't find a chair. But it's okay, mas astig naman cathedral nila kaysa sa atin.




5. Red means beautiful in Russian. Hence, Red Square equals Beautiful Square.



6. Kremlin means fortress in Russian. Hence, the Kremlin Wall equals the Fortress.

7. The Russian royalties are obsessed with anything gold. Now people in this day and age don’t have to feel as guilty anymore knowing that people during the olden days are even more extravagant and materialistic compared to us. I can just imagine how uncomfortable it is for the women to endure banquet dinners with their tight fitting corsets.




8. Saying NO in Russian is easy to remember. Just say NYEH or NYEH-NYEH! Reminds me of this Filipino phrase we use when we want to make fun of other people, Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh! Yes translates to DA! or DA-DAM! in Russian.

9. The matroyshka dolls are more popular than Barbie. I've practically grown up with Ken and Barbie. So I plead my allegiance to Barbie dolls.

10. St. Petersburg has only 60 days of sunshine throughout the year. It never fails to rain every single day. So I consider myself lucky for being able to catch a glimpse of their breathtaking sunrise.