The first impressions of Moscow

Jason Marviile, 32 years old

From: New Zealand

In Moscow: 20 days

ARCHITECT

— What was your first impression of Moscow?

— For me Moscow looks like a huge building site... Even in the very center on the Manezh Square, you can see cranes! There are a lot of empty spaces between the buildings, and there is no architectural unity.

— What's the loveliest feature of the city?

— It's never empty. Some kind of movement is always taking place.

— What was the biggest shock for you here?

— So many beautiful women on the streets. Young or old ones, they all look nice, stylish, and they wear stunning fur coats and other fancy stuff, and so many of them wear high heels! 1 couldn't believe my eyes at first!

— Is there anything you couldn't get used to in Moscow?

— Wild traffic. And I won­der why pedestrians pay almost no attention to the traffic lights, and drivers do the same. As if they are in some kind of unofficial agreement, knowing where to cross the street and where to turn... Strange.

— Is there anything about Moscow your compatriots wouldn't believe?

— Even when it's about minus fifteen, you do not feel cold! That is, if you wor­ried to put your warmest outfit on.

— What is the biggest dif­ference between Moscow and the place where you come from?

— Hurry. We almost never do. And the climate, for sure.

— Would you agree that Moscow is expensive in general?

— Yes, it is. Even compar­ing to European cities.

— Have you acquired any habits since you have been in Moscow?

— I tried skating and I think I can't stand going deeper into it! Also I started drinking kefir and ryazhenka!

— What is your favorite place in Moscow?

— Chistye Prudy and Patriarshie Prudy. Perfect architecture and a piece of nature together.

Helen, 39 years old

From: Belgium

In Moscow: 1 month

WEB-DESIGNER

— How would you describe Moscow with a single word?

— Chaotic.

— What was your first impression of Moscow?

— That nobody is looking at nobody. Everyone is deep in his or her thoughts, or talk­ing with friends, hardly cast­ing a glance around. Only kids are more opened.

— What was the biggest shock for you here?

— There was more than one. First, drivers do not fasten the belts. Then, you can give money to police. Moreover, I was shocked to see many 24-hours supermarkets.

— Is there anything you couldn't get used to in Moscow? ,

— Yes. Slippery streets make me mad.

— What do you think of Russian food?

— I like it! The soups are incredibly tasty.

— What do you lack in Moscow?

— I don't know why... But I lack Russian spirit, I'd say. Moscow is so huge, so in­ternational, so bright... I expected something more tied with Orthodox religion, more strict and calm. Some central districts correspond with this image, anyway.

— Have you ever got lost in Moscow?

— Yes.

— What's the loveliest fea­ture of this city?

— It's alive. Say, in compar­ison, St. Petersburg is proba­bly more beautiful, but you get bored quickly.

— Would you agree that Moscow is expensive in general?

— The prices are not that high, but I have to admit I expected them to be lower. But I know the difference between Moscow and other Russian towns is incredible, concerning money, life style, unemployment... So if you went to see it (and to have low prices) you should just go to other parts of Russia.

— What is your favourite place in Moscow?

— Bolshoi Theater. I like both the performances and its interior. Also Hermitage garden is a very nice place for any leisure activities: cafe's, restaurants, a garden with two skating rinks, and merry people around you!

3.

Dimitris Angelopulos

24 years old

From: Greece

In Moscow: 1 month

JOURNAUST

— Why did you come to Moscow?

— Iwork here. But to tell you the truth, I wanted, to see the famous Russian winter. And it seems I arrived just in time. After some warm days soon came cold sunny days. When the weather is per­fect the city looks like it is smiling to you, opened, ready to share all its fasci­nating places!

— What was your first impression of Moscow?

— That you can never cross it byfoot. It took us so long to come home from the airport, arid most of the time we were dri­ving somewhere on the highways...

— What was the biggest shock for you here?

— So many Orthodox churches of so many differ, have almost nothing similar, although we belong to the same religion. The second thing that really surprised me, although it has nothing to do with thefirst one, is that Russians drink much less than we normal think of your people.

— Is there anything you couldn't get used to in Moscow?

— That the days in winter are soshort. That you have to wear so many clothes. That you go out so often and so late (or is it already early?)

— What's the loveliest feature ofthis city?

— Its inhabitants. They are so friendly, and open-hearted, and generous, and active, and smart... It sounds almost like a com­pliment when I hear that somebody is a Muscovite!

— Would you agree that Moscow is expensive in general?

— I'dsay, it's separated into few layers which do not meet. One is the rich world you will normally see in any European capital. Five-stars lodging and meals, expensive cars, etc. But there's middle-class as well, with reasonable pri­ces. Do not hesitate to go to supermarkets or markets, to ride public transport (which is really cheap, by the way) and see how normal people live.

Ex. 12.Составьте свой диалог: ваш друг впервые приехал в Россию из Дублина. Обсудите с ним его впечатления.

Ex.13.Составьте «рекламу» города Кирова:

· Как города с интересным прошлым и настоящим

· Как промышленного центра

· Как научного центра

· Как культурного центра.