Back in the USSR
I’ve just arrived in St. Petersburg/Russia. OK, so it’s not the USSR anymore, and to be precise, I’ve never been to the USSR before, either. But I’ve been to St. Petersburg three years ago, and back then I was taken aback by one of the most beautiful cities I know of on the planet. Golden might be the best word to describe the experience. Yet, just like then, I need a little time to adopt.
Arriving in Pulkovo Airport and using public transport to get to my hostel has a very distinct charm: Most people in Russia seem to be in a very stern mood all the time at first, the bus driver tries to cheat me, it’s hard to understand people and signs (I learned Russian in school, but it’s as far from fluent as you can get), and everything looks very grey, with a touch of extreme capitalism adding color. Plus, I’ve had to get up very early and am tired.
But then, I notice that the metro is beautiful and working like a charm, and I begin to look at the amazing and self assured young women of St. Petersburg, who are not afraid of flirting with random strangers on the street. Most Russian guys, on the other hand, seem to get their hair cut and their clothes picked by their motherly mothers which also abound in this city. So maybe in this country it doesn’t matter that I haven’t got a haircut in months either 
And, the sun is shining!
So it’s a bit of a culture shock, but it looks like the same procedure as three years ago: In a few hours, I’m going to love this city! But first, I’ll hang out a bit in the lovely Rasputinn Hostel.
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sounds different, strange, extraordinary… how about a hair-cut given by a stranger speaking Russian only? I’d like to see some before-after pics, too.
Hey Stefan, be sure to check out the museum of erotic art if you are in St Petersburg. I’m sure you’ll find something you like
Hi Alex and Toni, thanks for your comments. Nice to hear some feedback and great ideas! Actually, I’m working on incorporating both of your suggestions.
I went to the erotic art museum today just to find that I was too late – it is a gynecologist’s office in the evening! I’ll go some other day. Have you been to the museum, Toni? Even most locals don’t seem to know it.
As for the Russian haircut, I’m undecided. IF I want to do that, it’s probably better to do it in fashionable Piter than in rural Novosibirsk or expensive Moscow. But most guys here look so crass with all their mullets … we’ll see.
I thoroughly enjoy this kind of dialogue with my readers, so if you have some more crazy ideas from God, tell me about it, and maybe I’m the right tool to carry them out
Namaste
Stefan