Hello from Siberia

Martin · 10-24-08, 10:36 AM

Hi Guys,
On another business trip, this time in the depths of Russia. One thing that is a little strange. My last three business trips to different countries, different hotels, different booking agents etc I have been allocated the same room, room 302. Is this a sign ? I think a higher power is telling me to hurry up and finish my GT40.!

I have to agree.

Martin · 10-24-08, 11:35 AM

If you've never been to Siberia, and I guess most will never have the need, it is a vast expanse. Permafrost on the ground and -30 degree C temps during Jan and Feb. Fortunately it's a little warmer at the moment (above zero). I'm in Cheljabinsk which is just East of the Ural mountains so actually geographically in Asia. Some pics of the city. Not as bad as you might think although very industrial.Gas prices are half that of the U.K but I guess not so competitive with the U.S. about £0.5 per gallon.
Lada rules here. Some high end 4x4's and mercs for the very rich, but mostly very old Soviet cars.
We don't know how lucky we are...

domtoni · 10-24-08, 06:57 PM

Sounds like chicago in January / February !!!!

Al Jones · 10-24-08, 07:01 PM

Martin - Looking at the picture of the main street gives a very different slant on the term "rush hour".Appears that cars are quite rare in that part of the world. Just make sure your ticket is marked "round trip". A.J.

Scott Calabro · 10-24-08, 07:18 PM

"We don't know how lucky we are"

Well said Martin.

I bet you get off the airplane when you get home and kiss the ground!

I've seen a few Russian airports and towns when I was a flight mechanic for a US oil company.

Mostly bleak, maybe because of the time of year I always seemed to go.

The folks I dealt with were real nice people though.

Safe trip.

Best,
Scott

Pat Buckley · 10-24-08, 08:21 PM

Must be a great experience.....how's the food?

Rick Muck- Mark IV · 10-24-08, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Calabro

"We don't know how lucky we are"

"You don't how lucky you are boy, back in the US, back in the US, back in the USSR"

Geez, forty years ago some lads from Liverpool knew.......................

Martin · 10-25-08, 04:08 AM

It's a lot like Chicago in the Winter but without that wind off the lake that nearly kills you.
Food is questionable and not to everyones tastes.
Up side is that the women are slim and very beautiful. Not that I'm looking of coarse (read happily married). A nice distraction from the cold though.
The roads are actually quite busy. The photo I posted before was a pedestrian street (Main shopping street).
Here are a few more pics, some architecture is beautiful and some very ugly. The football stadium (read soccer for you U.S guys) looks derelict but the pitch is lush and well maintained.

Who can tell me what the Car is ? Given you a front and back perspective.

Dalton · 10-25-08, 08:41 AM

Martin, where I work in Consulting Engineering we have a young girl who comes from Russia, Siberia in fact. She is charming, brilliant, hard working, thorough, and an absolute delight to work with. Taught herself English, came out here by herself, has done three University degrees, and is working competently. Both her parents are professional Engineers back in Russia, and there is less sexual discrimination there than here, and they are very advanced in many ways. However traffic and transport are bad, apparently.

Dalton

Martin · 10-25-08, 10:23 AM

Yes,
Most young people speak some English. I've also found the work ethic very commendable. People are generally freindly, but the older ones are more guarded. Russia is changing a lot with more and more western influence. Prices are high though.
With the restrictions on travel lifted and visas easier to get, more and more young Russians are finding their way around the globe to work. I have not found a lazy one yet. I think our workforce could learn a lot, as I know more than a few lazy, play it by the book types who just want an easy ride back home. I guess if you come from a background where life in general is tough, you don't expect to sit on your fat a*se and claim off the state like some in the U.K. and I guess the U.S too.
They are indeed advanced in many ways. You don't get to be called a Super Power for nothing.
Where I am now is the centre for the Russian Steel industry, which is huge.
Quite a lot of pollution though. Not a lot of consideration to global warming here.

Iron Sheik · 10-26-08, 02:07 PM

Martin.

These pictures surely were not taken by you. It is my understanding that you are in Gulag,,,,so pictures of the inside of your gulag would be best.

Also, did you let authorities know about your Chechen background?! Are they serving you Lemon Tea?

Malcolm · 10-26-08, 02:28 PM

Actually Fali, the last Red Cross parcel we sent Martin, now that he is in the Gulag, had Earl Grey tea in it. Lemon Tea is just awful. Really though, I am just wondering how he gets an internet connection inside!

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 10-26-08, 02:49 PM

Good luck for the business adventure Martin!
U have pc with u..so u can always be in touch with all us.
Siberia has great people, and womans are some of the nicest ever seen....

Good Luck!

Martin · 10-27-08, 01:25 AM

Thanks for the parcel Malc, the bread and water was getting a little boring.
No pictures of the Gulag, it is forbidden on pain of death.
Don't mention Chechnya...

Some pictures of the train station. Largest in Siberia so I'm reliably informed. You can go anywhere in Russia from here...Dreaming of an escape.
They give me internet access just to tease me with a little taste of freedom.

And yes, the women are stunning.

Bill Hough · 10-27-08, 06:59 AM

OK Martin ! How about some pictures of some women. My wife is Russian/German and she is beautiful! Come on Martin, just a few pic's !

Martin · 10-28-08, 10:03 AM

Hi Bill,
No luck this time, long day without the camera and flying home tomorrow at 5 in the morning. I'll be back in November though. Next post will be titled 'Women of Siberia' or something similarly tasteless.

Keith 'Baron' Hardy · 10-28-08, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Potts

It's a lot like Chicago in the Winter but without that wind off the lake that nearly kills you.
Food is questionable and not to everyones tastes.
Up side is that the women are slim and very beautiful. Not that I'm looking of coarse (read happily married). A nice distraction from the cold though.
The roads are actually quite busy. The photo I posted before was a pedestrian street (Main shopping street).
Here are a few more pics, some architecture is beautiful and some very ugly. The football stadium (read soccer for you U.S guys) looks derelict but the pitch is lush and well maintained.

Who can tell me what the Car is ? Given you a front and back perspective.

Lada?

Brett James-McCall · 10-28-08, 11:24 AM

Car? Hmm don't know but the rear looks very much based on Caddillac's new rear ends/design language.

Brett

Martin · 10-28-08, 11:28 AM

Too obvious Kieth,
Actually it's a Toyota from 2001. Not a model we are used to seeing in the West. I don't think we'd tolerate such poor styling. Quite a few other major manufacturers have some rather dodgy looking vehicles that they sell here too.
When I first saw it, i thought it was probably some obscure Eastern European make, but no.