| vendredi, mars 2 |
| Bits'n'pieces - Moscow...(2/3) |
Some observations in Moscow that have aroused my interest and attention…
Ladies are elegant in Moscow. They appear to be stylish and nice looking outdoors. Benjamin found the flanêurs on the street of Paris or in the shopping arcades. Here in Moscow, the commuter flow is the flanêur. Ladies have a soft gaze at the life beside them. Their faces are always calm and emotionless. This is their way to exchange with the post-communist world.
Something that amazes me is how these ladies walk so quickly with their high heel shoes on the snowy roads. Actually walking on the street in winter time needs extra energy and patience. The ground is slippery after continuous filling of snow and cystalisation of icy surface. You need always to pay attention to the rugged path and the hidden holes and traps. I have no impression that my walking pace is slow in all the cities that I have visited, except in Moscow. Well, people are generally taller than me and physically this may explain part of the cause why they would have greater steps at walk, and they actually walk fast too, comparatively. No matter how fast I try to walk on the street, I am lagged behind after a while. I observe their gesture of walk and their frequency of steps. Not much hint. I examine the features and design of their shoes. No, they are just wearing the ordinary types of shoes. My pair of climbing shoes should actually be an advantage to me in this jogging game. But I still surrender. Having the same rationale as fish can swim in the water. They know the way to perform and survive in their home habitat.
When I say the ladies in Moscow gaze at an emotionless stare, they look at others. These eyes of different favours would simply flash to other stations of eyeball that belong to the people surrounding themselves. The ironic feature of the threatening sights does warm up the atmosphere of the metro where people fill it up with their dumpling-like bodies. People have different ways to look at others, an art of observation and self-assessment probably. When you take a metro in Moscow centre, you stay in an invisible net of speechless conversation.
I have thought about the scenario again in the metro after I wrote the above. I obviously miss one thing. Who am I? Am I actually the only stranger to them according to my unique appearance from their point of view? Moscow, demonstrating how a core of developing centre ignites after the Soviet era, comprises people and races of diversity. Most CIS regions contribute their manpower and habitants to roll Moscow up to the successful path of a centralised commercial centre. Accordingly, the kind of doubt and suspiciousness found from the light-scattering sight become more convincing and reasonable.
Because of work, I have an opportunity to meet some kinds of business people in this ‘newly’ commercialised city. Some of the people I met do match the images described in those books that write about the present Russia. While the new rich people are sometimes labeled in these books as the ‘new Russian’, they are recognized as the young and trendy group, rich and fancy in the western trends and fashion. For instance, I met one young entrepreneur who is exactly this type of businessman and when we talked about the navigation in Moscow city, he showed on his big computer screen the topography of the city in the 3D Google map. Nothing offensive but my impression simply associates me about the scenario to the stereotype described in the books.
Another day, I visited a local advertising company in Moscow. Apart from the confidence-assuring testimonials and awards framed on the surrounding walls of the conference room, the company prepared a little stand with the flags of both China and Russia and placed it in the middle of the meeting table. But then I found that accidentally, the flag of Russia was put upside down. Apparently all the Russian in the meeting did not really notice this, or perhaps it became embarrassing to rectify the error. Ironic.
Driving in Moscow should be challenging. The taxi drivers I met have unique capability to slide and find the fast track to get rid of the traffic jam. People do not really wear seat belt. Free for a ride.
Some good business opportunities, as least there is strong demand…shoe polishing service, heater-related business, air time on radio, if people are stuck in traffic congestion, radio broadcasting becomes a good means to brainwash, hard-sell etc.
One common formula I found in the Moscow TV soap opera productions: the very basic storyboard would be related to a man having an affair with someone. The value of the story would definitely not be the cup of tea for those feminine authorities.
Spend USD. The Rouble currency is still on its strong appreciation trend, and in one week’s time when I revisited Moscow again, the exchange rate of roubles to USD has been significantly increased. Russian people prefer to have roubles as their salary currency instead of the USD. Some speculation on the Russian economy, and it is not too difficult to make an anticipation.Libellés : moscow, russia, sense |
posted by zirhc @ 01:34   |
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