Russia in a vehicle The Good The Bad and The Scary

[Scott7022]

Ok,

On a few previous threads questions were asked that would take the thread off topic. But knowledge is power and people wanted answers to questions about Russia and my experiences. So ask away, what do you want to know? Against the popular opinion I am allowed to post and I get the news and other than a few porn sites being blocked, or so I am told :angel:, my internet is not restricted. Fair warning I am Canadian and so we do tend to lean a little socialist and are pretty liberal. But we are polite neighbors. So lets not debate politics here. People are people some have liberal attitudes and socialist beliefs, like me, but that is cultural and not a political ideology. This thread will of course bounce close to the edges as laws and social mores form culture, history, and social structure. But let's be curious, courteous, and have a cerebral adventure. I am prepared to share honestly and I have a residency permit and while this will most likely be read by others outside of our little forum on both sides of the pond I will be truthful but polite. Let's demonstrate our higher thinking skills to all. 

So any question is fine so long as it follows the above request. Two other thing you should know; Russia is REALLY big and has more ethnic diversity than any other country in the world. Yes, even more than Canada. Moscow is not Russia. Lol! I know!!! It is a saying here. They mean that Moscow is so influenced externally and internally by forces and opinions not usually ascribed by regular Russians. 

On a previous thread it was suggested that to carry a gun in a vehicle for protection was not really a choice I had as a tourist. 
This is both correct and incorrect. Legally I, 'personally' could not, but there are public Facebook pictures with me holding or shooting guns in Russia. That being said I stand by my own choice that adding a gun adds to problems, and so I choose not to even if I could. But that is solely my choice based on my my skill set and should not be read as being anti-gun. Guns are everywhere in Russia. 

So I will bring it back to living in a vehicle before I post this thread. Here they use Sodium batteries as a back-up as they aren't as affected by colder temperatures. So one to help start the vehicle and another to run the heating pads that the NON SAFE CHEMISTRY Lithium batteries sit on. Keeps the Lithiums from freezing most of the time.

 

[user 423]

Potentially interesting questions may be asked about how they do it in Russia. But since it wouldn't be cheap for any forum inmates to sample what you have experienced in Russia, I'm not sure this is the right forum for you.

Bob?

 

[Ballenxj]

So ask away, what do you want to know?

Are you an American Spy?

 

[user 423]

Are you an American Spy?

Posing as a Canadian?

 

[Ballenxj]

Posing as a Canadian?

Reference to other thread. Besides, Canada is in North America too. Wouldn't that make him an American?

 

[SoulRaven]

So Slow2day, let me get this straight, a man posts on the off topic thread area about life in another country and you question if he should be a member? He has stated he was going to return here in the Americas to travel in a pickup and camper. I would think he has as much right to post as you or I do and perhaps we could learn something. Not very welcoming and pretentious don't you think?

I was stationed in the old Soviet Union prior to the break up in 1991 found the average Russian to be about the same as us with the exception of their alphabet which I never got the hang of. Cyrillic script was and is beyond me. I maintained a friendship with a few Russians and exchanged letters that I had to have one of our translators decode for me. Because of my security clearance level all of my contacts with Russians was monitored. And reported.

I have many questions about how life has changed for the average Russian. Perhaps Scott could answer a few. I'll ask in another post.

 

[Cammalu]

I'd like to see photos of your trip, your rig, and anything else you'd care to share. I always did want a trip to Russia.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[user 423]

So Slow2day, let me get this straight, a man posts on the off topic thread area about life in another country and you question if he should be a member?

Oops. You are right. My apologies to you and Scott. That's what I get for skimming some threads too quickly. Longer,sometimes overly wordy posts tend to do that to a fella.

 

[lenny flank]

So, what stereotypical image of "America" do most Russians have?

And what do they think of the stereotypical image of "Russia" (as a Mafia gangster state) that most Americans have?

 

[user 423]

Guns are everywhere in Russia. 

In Ukraine also, I hear.

 

[Gary68]

do the common russians believe the government propaganda that the evil u.s. is coming to get them or can they see through it?

 

[mnpaul]

"pree vee et" Scott, I'm sure you have some great stories, cultural insights and traveling tips for us.
I'm intrigued by your statement "[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]NON SAFE CHEMISTRY Lithium batteries"[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I'd like to use a lithium battery bank but at this point they are too expensive and not widely enough used for me as I'd have to rely on someone else to set my system up-and those people aren't around.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do you feel they are unsafe, or do you think they are perceived as unsafe?  Inquiring minds want to know.[/font]

 

[wayne49]

do the common russians believe the government propaganda that the evil u.s. is coming to get them or can they see through it?

Not unlike the USA government propaganda that the evil of the moment is coming to to get us.

 

[Ballenxj]

Never mind.

 

[slynne]

What a great topic! You are out and about in Russia in a van/RV? That sounds amazing. My bucket list has long included a trip on the trans-siberian railway between Beijing and Moscow and one of the big reasons I want to move out of my sticks and bricks and into a van is to be able to afford trips like that. But you know, driving some kind of rig across Russia would be amazing too!

I dont know how long Russia would let me stay on a tourist visa though. I have heard that they have some kind of special unlimited visa for people who have cultural ties to the country. My family on my mother's side came from Russia and I have been baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. I expect that knowing the language would be something I would need to work on first. I wonder if it is the kind of thing a solo woman could do safely?

 

[Scott7022]

Not sure how best to answer all of these posts and stick within the rules of quoting and posting. I also tend to write long meandering posts as I now, write, professionally. Now you're all going to expect perfect grammar. LOL! OK, Thank you for coming to my defense, Marine comrade, and apology graciously accepted go too slow. I will be returning to Canada and going full-time in the future, and I have three reasons for being on your forum. I miss talking English and communicating with Westerners . I want to learn from your mistakes and knowledge. I want to share my knowledge, and let you learn from my mistakes.

I am not a spy, and while I did have a Secret security classification in the Canadian Government, it was more a criminally focused. Like anything in life the lines are rarely black and white.

A few questions I am going to ignore as per OP's statement. The Russian people have a separation between people and politics. They are educated very well about other cultures and so when they meet a Canadian for example it is kind of like a botanist that has studied roses and then finally finds one. The excitedly ask questions and try to determine if what they have been told is true. Example: A rose has a fragrance that is both unique and appealing in the flower family. How do you imagine that scent, were you correct. What is the difference between a American red white and blue rose and a plain red Canadian one? It is not uncouth to ask wages, income, how much things cost, is that an original Rolex etc etc etc. The Russian language is very precise and specific. The English language is sloppy and imprecise. I like both and they both have pluses and minuses. For scientific or tech journals Russian writing is better. For works of fiction and poetry I think English is better. Tolstoy might disagree but he never wrote in English and I can't read well enough to truly understand him in Russian. Hard to make a double entendre when the word only has one specific meaning, right? Russian forums must be boring!! LOL! I can read a little, write less but I understand spoken Russian. I still have a hard time answering as Grammar is a bugger.
Ballenxj wrote "Never mind" I am not sure what he was meaning but this is a good example of culture.
"Pri vee et kak te" [used only with a friend] In English Hi, how are you?" Russian has respect tenses so how you speak to friends, elders, officers is different.
Common Answer or response.
"Ner man na" In English Never mind. Never mind? This is a rude response! But here, culturally it is not so. My question how are you is an offer to help if something is bothering or troubling you. At the very least the implied help is I will listen to you. So culturally translated to English it means "all good."

Batteries. Li-pro batteries and lithium battery the term gets tossed around a great deal without a true understanding of the definition. Lithium Polymer batteries are the types we usually hear about for RV applications. Even in using that definition there are at least five types. If we just use Lithium then it is like 25 of more. Part of the confusion and propaganda surrounding this technology is based on this and failure to understand the different requirements. Here we used a mix of batteries. Losing power in -55 can be lethal. Sodium Salt batteries, I never heard of them before coming here, don't mind the cold as much will take a charge at minus temps where LiPro's don't. So here we used sodium batteries to heat pads to keep water less solid and lithiums warm. But we were using the chemistry of the fated Boeing 777. We had a thermal runaway and subsequent explosion in -40 degree temperatures. It was snowing and almost a white out and it was VERY HARD to put out. Lost a Lada hard to put out. Simple answer you want to go lithium Buy Battle Born Batteries made in the great state of Nevada. Great product I ordered six and they are at home in Canada being wired for my cabover power-plant.

Russian's fears of the USA. None. Period full stop. But lets put this into perspective, all able bodied men and some women go into military service at a specific age for a period of time. Mandatory service. The exceptions to this mandatory service have increased over the years but, a significantly large portion of the population are trained. Secondly Russians just aren't afraid of stuff. Most don't wear seatbelts, kids ride in the back of trucks, skateboard without hockey gear, ride bikes and motocross without helmets. The Mommy nation never happened here. The constant fear mongering didn't happen here. Islamic terrorists hit their country blew up apartment buildings in Moscow and they fought the war with Chechnya, reduced Grozny to a smoking pit, and then made a peace treaty. Rebuilt Grozny to a beautiful city and get along with their former enemies. It isn't all ice-cream and rainbows but it works well enough. I've been to Grozny it is safe, I never felt in danger and it was obvious I was a tourist. So while the people are confused that the US and Canada increases numbers into all the NATO bases surrounding them and then calls Russia aggressive they just think your wasting your money showing off. This what they think! The political reality of this we shall ignore. This is the average Jill and Joe idea. May day and June 9th are celebrated here like it should be celebrated the world over, in my opinion, everything non essential stops. They remember, and not with a minute of silence. They have parades, and concerts and heroes sit as politicians give their seats to these old heroes. I saw this here in Anapa, the Mayor got up and moved to the side and waved a large group of old men, chests full of medals, to the front row. The entire council stood for the hour long concert, not a person looked at a phone till it was over. So they remember the 25 million deaths and simply say no boots on the ground again.

Putin. He is a tough guy and the people love him. There is some opposition and a few groups that oppose his style (previously mentioned). But the western media makes more of it than it is in my opinion. The average person loves the man. Much of this is do to the cultural differences between the the west and east. A sensitive, kind person sells well in the west. Respect, strength, and leadership sell here. Again not getting into the politics just the emotions. Like why you buy the ice-cream you do.

I was with a film crew documenting the over landing of the largest country in the world. It was a Russian expedition. I signed a non disclosure statement as this will be going to TV here. They think it will play in the west but we all know that will not happen. We had a few UAZ vehicles, a newer Lada, a diesel Wrangler, and a old 2005 H1 Alpha. We also had support trucks and a class A that showed up to places it could. There are large tracks of no road lands across Siberia and so this was how we went. I am an expert at staying warm inside vehicles. We even made a hot tub at -20 metric and seven of us enjoyed it and about 10 liters of vodka. Helped the blood not congeal when we got out and ran to the bigger UAZ to warm up. Hummer heaters suck!!!!

Travel visa et al. Americans can get a one year visa pretty easily. Go to a consulate and ask who they recommend to do all the paper work or visit The Real Russia website for the best up to date information. They are based in the UK but as we would say here "They Know A Guy." Women solo would probably be more safe than male solo. Russians respect their elders and women more so. Another saying "Fear the Babu" fear grandmother. They are not seen as frail at all. The people are kind, I have had a few incidents, but I have been here off and on for almost four years, and like to cheer for the Canadian hockey team. Thank god we can't play football (soccer). The trans Siberian Railway is very cool, trains are cool here and cheap. The Real Russia has packages and organizes this and if you wanted to do it I would go that route as it will be easier than learning the language and it will be likely you'd have fellow travelers. Ease into the experience.

I think I answered all your questions. I can't go back a page without losing what I've wrote to check. Sorry for the length I won't post pictures and add to the data required but if your interested just search Scott D Covey and Russia on Google my name should bring up a ton of pictures and videos, adding Russia will narrow it down. I am the fat guy that looks like a cop or spy!

 

[Cammalu]

Scott thanks for the great post!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ballenxj]

Ballenxj wrote "Never mind" I am not sure what he was meaning but this is a good example of culture.

Common Answer or response.
"Ner man na"  In English Never mind. Never mind? This is a rude response! But here, culturally it is not so.

You have a PM that should explain that comment. Not meant to be rude at all as you will see,
PS, I enjoy reading your well written posts.

 

[SoulRaven]

Scott, my time in Russia was interesting to say the least. The furthest I ventured from St. Petersburg was to Krasnodar with a couple that I knew who were adopting a child from an orphanage there. I had no authority whatsoever, none, I was just a tagalong trying to offer what advice I could dealing with the local bureaucrats. I won't go into the orphanages at the time I was there, they may have changed, I hope.

They had seen a picture of the child prior to their first trip which was a huge no-no and asked by the presiding judge at every adoption I heard about. Some couples had spent 10-15 thousand dollars and been told a flat "Nyet" after revealing they had used an agency who allowed them to have access to pictures of the children. One of our Dept. of State people recommended a "facilitator" to represent them. His fee (read bribe) was high and spread around the system. He was sort of a Russian Godfather, questions weren't asked at the hearing that I had heard were asked at every hearing and they were given a tentative yes.

After the required waiting time, to allow any relatives of the child to come forth, they made the mandatory 2nd trip to Krasnodar. They were finally allowed to adopt the child and spent three days in Moscow at our Embassy getting her, the child, papers worked out. She is a lovely woman now and as American as apple pie.

I found the average Russian to be gracious and kind. We ate several meals with locals and while I detest fish as a food I enjoyed the meals. And Fish was the predominate meal. Do they still pickle almost everything?

I remember the old soldiers and their medals, they were honored. We could learn a few things from their customs.

Nice to have you aboard.

Peace

 

[user 423]

I remember back in 80's before the wall came down, you would sometimes see news stories or documentaries about how bleak it was in the USSR. Nothing to buy in the stores, falling down vodka fans everywhere,SNL skits poking fun,etc.

Today, I wonder if Russians experience video and commentary exposing all the societal ills in the US?

Overdose deaths, racial & religious intolerance,gun violence, rampant greed, corruption, unequal healthcare access....a long list of possibles.