I've never been to Russia but I've learned some of the language and read some Russian history, military history mostly. I've mostly read about European history and I think Russian history is linked with European 'destiny' in many ways. Russia was founded as a western nation in the east, to stop the marauding eastern hordes from plundering the ripe orchards of the central and southern Europe.
As a country Russia has the capacity to surprise people. It's just a vast nation, demographically and geographically too. The geographical size of Russia is mind boggling, normal flat maps don't do justice to the size and scope the whole of the Russian land, let alone what it used to be when it was Soviet union.
As for Russian people, I've known a few of them. I've noticed that Russian women kind of travel around, sort of wonder around without an attempt to settle down and study etc. They are very nice looking and they can certainly hold their liquour. One problem with Russians is the alcohol, especially with men. I think the average age of men is around 60 when they die, mostly due to alcohol related things.
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