Landlocked by Communist rule for years, Russians were denied life's many pleasures, especially travel. But now as the middle class grows strong, they have money to spend and are taking it to the beaches of Turkey.
A mini-industry has popped up on the Turkish coast that has begun to cater to the whims of Russian tourists. The New York Times explored this trend in an article on one popular resort, Kremlin Palace Hotel, which they described as "Las-Vegas-does-Moscow by-the-shore extravaganza." This picture looks every bit as . . . glitzy as it sounds!
But what's more important is what traveling abroad illuminates about the new Russia. Between 1995 and 2006, the number of Russians traveling abroad grew from 2.6 to 7.1 million — a 4.5 million increase — according to the Russian government.
Under Soviet rule, citizens were held back by bureaucratic passport lines that, even if approved, required classes on proper behavior and avoiding foreign influence. Those who were not in the government's good grace stood little chance of leaving, and even those that were and gained approval required chaperons across borders. While restrictions eased in the post-Soviet era, few Russians could afford to go anywhere.
Vladimir Putin, the former president and current prime minister, is largely credited for Russian's newfound normalcy, prosperity, and ability to travel. Though Russian's are spreading their post-Communist wings, one famous face has joined up. To see how, read more.
Most remember Elián González as the tiny face of those fleeing communist Cuba, that battle was eight years ago — and Elian has joined up — Cuba’s Young Communist Union, that is.
Now 14, Elián was 6 when Miami relatives lost their fight to keep him in the United States, and he returned to Cuba in mid-2000 with his father. After surviving the battle and the boating accident off the Florida coast that killed his mother trying to reach the United States, he was among 18,000 people who joined the group this weekend.
After all that Elián experienced, why did he join up? Will seeing greater post-Communist freedoms tempt those still involved?
Christian Dior
Crave Maternity
Rebecca Taylor
way to buy in to russian propaganda
1and according to Putin's boyfriend, "Vladimir Putin, the former president and current prime minister, is largely credited for Russian's newfound normalcy, prosperity, and ability to travel."
2I have to send my husband the link to this...
3"Many Russians interviewed here credited Mr. Putin, the former president and current prime minister, for their ability to travel, saying that he was responsible for Russia’s new prosperity." From the NYT article.
Are they seriously that blind? Can they not see what he's doing to their country?
4Sy - It's looking like you're having a conversation with yourself.
5Putin's a very scary guy.
6And I looked through at least 14 Gonzalez stories - all said the exact same things, not one thought to explain what Cuba’s Young Communist Union is. One did note that Elian's privacy is 'carefully protected by the Cuban government.'
I was having a convo with myself, until you guys showed up!
7My trainer is from Russia, he's been here for a couple years. He came here to go to school and learn English and said he didn't have much trouble getting here. He also has had friend come visit from Russia, so I guess Turkey isn't the only place they're visiting.
8steph - 18,000 joined just this weekend. me has a feeling he had little say in this...
it's like my husband's association with the little commie scout club when he was in grade school... he was such a rebel back then he wouldn't wear his commie bandanna and he'd get in trouble, but his father encouraged him to do it!!
9to do it = not wear the bandanna. fyi.
10ohhhh gawwwd i really hate the lovefest that everyone has with that guy, from bush saying " i see God in his eyes" to russia throwing a freakin parade everytime he walks down the street it makes me wanna
. time did a really good article on him when he was voted man of the year,
it kinda shows his personality and then also details some of the more shady transactions he has been involved (but denied) in.
its funny because there was a quote from elian who said "i pledge my support to fidel and his brother raul" the funny thing is that they are two totally different people.
11That's what I was thinking Sy. I saw one article that said 97% of Cuba's doctors at a meeting in Nicaragua were in the Union so I assumed it's a pragmatic thing to do.
12my hubby's perspective: The only place with "prosperity" is Moscow and St. Petersburg, meanwhile a few hundreds miles from the cities people are living with no running water and electricity - how is that for prosperity? He also asked if these happy tourists are aware that there are no independent news outlets in their country? That Putin has murdered oppositional journalists?
And he ended with "ignorance is bliss"
13I'm more afraid of Russia under Putin than I ever was in the past.
14it is amazing how many Russians you meet who seriously think that everything is "ok"
15I recently met a man from India, who had been stationed in Uganda during Idi Amin's reign. He and a woman from Ethiopia were telling me that Amin wasn't such a bad guy - that you can live well under a murderous dictator if you stay out of trouble.
16wow.
17We are really very lucky. And I fully agree with you that Russia is a scary place. It's really been a reversal on human rights, and most people don't rebel against it. Well, probably because they would suddenly be dead or worse; sent off to a Russian prison camp. But still. Where is your husband from, Sy?
18Ukraine. Kiev.
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20wouldn't it have been funny if I said "St. Louis"
21sy you make me laugh! i ♥ you!
22i ♥ you back!
23
24Russians don't seem like the sort of people who would embrace a totalitarianism regime. At least not for another two or three months.
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