http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/ All about my work and travels in Russia en-US Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:21:13 +0400 http://www.typepad.com/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/the-big-russian.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/the-big-russian.html First off, my apologies. It's been quite a while since my last post. I have been traveling for work and that, combined with the lack of phone or Internet access in rural Russia, prevented me from updating the blog. On... Jeff Spalding Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:21:13 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/learning-russia.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/learning-russia.html This afternoon, I begin my Russian language classes. I actually had one session a couple of weeks ago, but didn't really click with the instructor -- she spent more time complaining about her life than teaching me any Russian. I've... Language Jeff Spalding Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:50:14 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/things-you-dont.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/10/things-you-dont.html Today, as I was walking back to the office from lunch, a Russian kid (I'd guess he was 10 or 11) stood taking a whiz just off the sidewalk, completely oblivious to the food traffic that streamed (excuse the pun)... Jeff Spalding Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:34:01 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/post.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/post.html Dacha (pronounced "die-cha"). The Russian summer home or cottage. Many urban Russians own a second home in the outlying country areas. For example, residents of Moscow might own an apartment in the city and a dacha 40 to 50 kilometers... Jeff Spalding Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:36:39 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/russian-contrad.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/russian-contrad.html Moscow is a city of contradictions. As I noted in a previous post, Russia wants capitalism. The democratic ideals and policy that normally come with it -- well the government doesn't want so much of that. I got my "papers"... Jeff Spalding Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:48:25 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/its-not-that-im.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/its-not-that-im.html It's that I just don't care. That line, immortalized in one of my favorite movies, Office Space, captures the Russian attitude toward customer service. They just could not care less. Most people are paid a set salary in the customer... Current Affairs Jeff Spalding Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:13:48 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/st-petersburg-p.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/st-petersburg-p.html From Wednesday to Saturday, I was in St. Petersburg. The trip was officially for business, but I had the chance to do a bit of exploring on my visit. On the business side, I met with representatives of the city... Jeff Spalding Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:38:16 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/st-petersburg.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/st-petersburg.html After many promises, I finally figured out how to upload photos to the blog. At the right, you'll notice a new option in the sidebar entitled "Photo Albums." I've posted a few shots of my apartment in the first photo... Work Jeff Spalding Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:31:41 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/finally-an-apar.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/finally-an-apar.html I've officially moved into my apartment. I live on Bolshoi Bronnaya in the Patriarchie Ponds area of Moscow. If you like, read more about my new neighborhood here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchie_Ponds The lease signing process was a bit of a nightmare. On... Jeff Spalding Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:13:36 +0400 http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/apartment----pa.html http://spaldii.typepad.com/an_american_in_moscow/2007/09/apartment----pa.html Patience and flexibility, I am quickly learning, are definitely virtues in Moscow. On Tuesday night, I was expecting to sign a lease for an apartment in the Kudrinskya (Seven Sister) building. My agent was an hour late in picking me... Jeff Spalding Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:12:52 +0400