Moscow & Baku.
Created | Updated May 4, 2003
Moscow & Baku
3 Weeks Ago
Moscow & Baku
Post: 1
Posted 2 Weeks Ago by Smudger
I read this article and really enjoyed it as far as it goes for tourists. I was working out there for a few months and only had short stop overs in Moscow its self. The place I went to was a long way from Moscow, both in miles and general living standards. I found the black market easy to work into, in fact if it was not for that I would not have survived at all. I got on well with these people probably as I treated them as people and not second class citizens My job was made more difficult by the fact that the locals refused to work with my translater, as he was "Russian" in fact we did well just to keep them from killing him! The entire area was going through transformation at the time, tearing down statues of Lennon & Stalin and defacing their portrates where ever they were found There was a feeling of tension at that time, as the whole Russian empire was crumbling.
It was a good time to witness this as it showed the repression these people had gone through. They were realy willing to learn, and that made my job easier as I was there to teach welders and bring up their standards. The equipment I was supposed to have was hijacked in Rumania on route out there, so we just had to use what we had. That in itself was hard as they never even had proper gloves, we used sacking dipped in water and wrapped around our hands! The welding tongs were uncovered and got very hot indeed while using them. Some days we had no power next day no water, it was make the best of what you had when you had it.
I made some really good friends out there, men I was proud to work with, we just seemed to comminucate ok without translaters, we used sketches & signs. I do not think however that the person who wrote the original on Moscow would have survived out there for long. Heaven knows it took me to survive despite the fact that I returned home to the uk some three stones lighter. Yet it was an experience amongst many for me,as I had already worked in Egypt & Turkey before that. The day I left they all came up from the site to see me, and I must admit to having a lump in my throat as I said goodbye to each in turn. I have never forgotten them or their determination to succeed and I was proud of them all.If it were at all possible for me I would return there again, they are a proud people who do not have much in life compared to us westerners but at least now they have freedom.
Smudger.
3 Weeks Ago
Moscow & Baku
Post: 1
Posted 2 Weeks Ago by Smudger
I read this article and really enjoyed it as far as it goes for tourists. I was working out there for a few months and only had short stop overs in Moscow its self. The place I went to was a long way from Moscow, both in miles and general living standards. I found the black market easy to work into, in fact if it was not for that I would not have survived at all. I got on well with these people probably as I treated them as people and not second class citizens My job was made more difficult by the fact that the locals refused to work with my translater, as he was "Russian" in fact we did well just to keep them from killing him! The entire area was going through transformation at the time, tearing down statues of Lennon & Stalin and defacing their portrates where ever they were found There was a feeling of tension at that time, as the whole Russian empire was crumbling.
It was a good time to witness this as it showed the repression these people had gone through. They were realy willing to learn, and that made my job easier as I was there to teach welders and bring up their standards. The equipment I was supposed to have was hijacked in Rumania on route out there, so we just had to use what we had. That in itself was hard as they never even had proper gloves, we used sacking dipped in water and wrapped around our hands! The welding tongs were uncovered and got very hot indeed while using them. Some days we had no power next day no water, it was make the best of what you had when you had it.
I made some really good friends out there, men I was proud to work with, we just seemed to comminucate ok without translaters, we used sketches & signs. I do not think however that the person who wrote the original on Moscow would have survived out there for long. Heaven knows it took me to survive despite the fact that I returned home to the uk some three stones lighter. Yet it was an experience amongst many for me,as I had already worked in Egypt & Turkey before that. The day I left they all came up from the site to see me, and I must admit to having a lump in my throat as I said goodbye to each in turn. I have never forgotten them or their determination to succeed and I was proud of them all.If it were at all possible for me I would return there again, they are a proud people who do not have much in life compared to us westerners but at least now they have freedom.
Smudger.
