The Open Markets of Moscow

Activities
By Catherine Scipioni

The open markets of Moscow are economic and cultural centers of the city. Whether they sell souvenirs, clothing, electronics or an assortment of everything, a trip to the open market is always an adventure... and a great way to practice your Russian! At first glance the markets can seem a little frightening, but with a level head and some knowledge of Russian language and culture, they can be a great way to get what you need – for cheap.

Although none of us spoke Russian well, we went to an open market, managed the situation, and attracted a lot of attention

My first trip to the open market near our hostel was a bit hectic. We went as a group of eight Americans and one Russian students. At the time none of us spoke Russian well, and I didn't speak it at all. I was excited, gabbing away in English – I suspect rather loudly – and we were generally making a commotion. Needless to say, we attracted a lot of attention. The vendors seemed to come from no where and everywhere all at once. The Russian students had worried looks on their faces. The vendors were forcing Javier's foot into a shoe; they were convincing Jenn to buy some boots; they were asking me what I wanted (in Russian, of course) and I just stood there, confused by it all.

However, subsequent trips have been much more successful. The ability of people to come together and determine the value of goods is actually quite amazing. I watch the Russians speak with each other – the buyer is obviously assessing how much they think the sweater is worth, the vendor tells them they can't go lower than 400 rubles, and they do the bargaining again until they're both happy with 350. Imagine going into an American mall and asking for an Abercrombie and Fitch sweatshirt for the price you think is fair. I doubt you would get very far.
In the markets you often find designers and brands that you wouldn't expect to find. Dolce & Gabanna, Diesel, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas products seem to be around every corner. I asked a Russian student about this, and they answered that they aren't “real.” Now I need to figure out: what exactly does “real” mean? I'll use an example. Levi's jeans are incredibly popular here in Russia. You can buy them at inexpensive department stores at home, but here a pair of Levi's is going to run you about 2,000 rubles (roughly $70) in the Levi's store. So I see some cheap Levi's in the market and ask the kids: what's wrong with these? They tell me that they aren't “real.” I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as “fake” Levi's. They're cheap in the United States, so it's entirely possible that Americans could bring them here and sell them cheap to the vendors. I'm still trying to figure it out, but I think the idea is this: you buy the brands at the expensive stores in the Western-style malls and that makes them “real.”

Whatever the case, there's no denying the convenience of the open market, if you know how to use it. The one not far from our dorm has almost everything you could ever need – cell phones, clothing, bedding, and I even found a waffle maker! However, one can't just walk in there speaking English, being American, thinking they will get a good deal. You convince the people you know what you're doing, you give them a reasonable price, they decide whether or not to take it, and that's how a large part of the economy here in Moscow works.

A“normalna pagoda”

Weather
By Andrew Guenther

“Man, I am hungry. I think I will hop into my car and go to find something to eat. Oh wait, I am in Moscow. My car is probably under a foot of snow, and sitting on an ice patch. It is so cold outside, I am not sure that it will even start. Well now I have a choice, take the time to get my car out and drive on the icy streets, or use public transportation. What will I do?”

Traffic jams are such a thing due to wether conditions

This is a question that many people in Moscow face. The weather here is so very cold and there is constantly snow on the ground. What most American students would consider a Snow Day, Russian students would call “normalna pagoda” or normal weather. This is true for the entire city of Moscow.

We went out in some of the worst weather I have ever seen, and there were still a ton of cars all over the streets. The traffic jams were horrible, because it is so easy to get stuck, or hit a slick patch and lose control. Many people have forgone driving a car and simply use public transportation as a means of traveling.

There are many buses and trolleys all over Moscow, but the most popular carrier is definitely the metro system. So many people use public transportation in the winter, causing all the buses and metro cars to be full. The more people the more body heat, so now we have a problem. Everyone needs to bundle up to go outside but the same people get hot while using transportation. The Russian people seem adjusted to it. However, as kid who hops into his car, takes off his jacket, and sets the temperature of his heater; well I am still struggling with extremes. Good thing spring is near, I can’t wait.

Saint Basil Cathedral

Russian Agriculture: An Insider’s Perspective

Culture
By

As a young man who was born, raised, and employed on a small dairy farm in Pennsylvania, my premonitions of Russian agriculture were of the dismal, stereotypical collective farms with cinder block buildings and skinny cows. However, we, as Americans, and even as American farmers, have a filtered view of what Russian agriculture is really like.

With it being only fifteen years since the breakup of the former Soviet States, it has only been this long that we have even been accessible to observe agriculture in Russia. Still, what images have managed to trickle across the hemispheres have been of just that, what I have previously described. And we as Americans, citizens of one of the most prosperous nations in today’s world, are content with these images knowing that we are always being trailed by the rest of the world, waiting for them to catch up to us.

From what I have seen so far, I am impressed with the optimism and ambition at which Russian agricultural entrepreneurs approach their work. Take Dmitrov Dairy Farms for example. This 490 animal dairy operation located just 80 km north of Moscow, a metropolis of over eleven million, has plans to more than double their herd size to 1,200 milking animals by the end of the year. This massive dairy farm originated as an experiment for Taste of the Sun vegetable distribution company to rid themselves of their vegetable waste. Start a dairy farm and feed the cows potato peelings, make a profit off the dairy farm, and operate a zero-waste processing plant… talk about innovation and a cooperative effort. Grain farms managed by Taste of the Sun also provide feedstuffs for Dmitrov Dairy Farms, beet pulp for example; just another example of their efficiency and sustainability.

Yet there is still one more link in this chain. Dmitrov Dairy Farms ships their milk to Wimm-Bill-Dann, the largest dairy, juice, and mineral water processor in Russia. Located within the city limits of Moscow itself, Wimm-Bill-Dann has milk suppliers from 25 regions within Russia and during peak times of milk production, can process 1,500 tons of milk each day. It gets even more impressive because not only does Wimm-Bill-Dann have the most popular brand of fruit juices in Russia, J7, but their lines of dairy products have the United States beat hands-down in my opinion.

As you can see, in Russia you can find a tremendous variety of dairy products

Disregarding the traditional Russian sour milk drinks such as Prostokvasha, they produce both sterilized and pasteurized milk in more than five flavors and numerous consistencies. Where they really take the lead is with their yogurts and drinkable yogurts. This time with over twenty flavors in three consistencies, and unlike in the US where the FDA defines yogurt as commercially prepared coagulated milk products, meaning that in order to be classified as yogurt, they must be in solid form, all of Wimm-Bill-Dann’s yogurts also come in drinkable form! Once again, the innovation continues to surprise me as Wimm-Bill-Dann releases their new NEO Bio-Max® product line, which features milk, yogurts, and drinkable yogurts with added components such as soy, cereals, and energy ingredients.

Optimistic, ambitious, innovative, cooperative, efficient, sustainable…before this experience, I would only justify using these adjectives in a master’s dissertation, never to describe Russian agriculture! Nevertheless, there they are, as descriptive as ever, revealing to you the true inevitability that there are enterprises halfway around the world that rival even the best American agricultural industries. Russian agriculture, from the perspective of a Pennsylvania dairy farmer is inspiring, and Russia is no longer the one playing catch-up to the Americas.

Top 10 Reasons to go to School in Russia

Education
By Halsey Wallace

(Write something)

10. Don't fret about mandatory English class--it should be an easy "A".

9. Don't worry about showering, no one else does. ~Each college student floor of the hostel has only one shower.

8. Who knew that wearing Wranglers would be the new Gucci.

7. It doesn't matter if you can't find a parking spot. Most people park on the sideway, on someone's lawn or even in the middle of the street--no cares.

6. It is o.k. to answer your cell phone during class, because when the professor's phone rings he/she will answer it also.

5. Who knew that you would instantly become the star quarterback, linebacker, running back, safety, lineman, receiver and coach of the football team?

4. Don't worry! If you get tired of beets and potatoes McDonald's is right around the corner.

3. Who knew that MTV would be popular half way around the world, and that Jessica Simpson could "actually" learn Russian.

2. Don't get worked up if you flunk a test. Just take it again the next day, until you get the grade that you want.

Finally, the number one reason to go to school in Russia:
1. Having a mullet does not determine your social class in society.

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