Very interesting. I just finished reading Paul Shirley's new book
Can I Keep My Jersey: 11 Teams, 5 Countries and 4 Years in My Life as a Basketball Vagabond. He describes his two months playing in Kazan, Russia (UNICS Kazan) as the most miserable two months of his life. One of his many complaints is the lack of warmth of both the climate and the people:
Quote:
|
Next problem: lack of even the most basic friendliness. Perhaps glasnost never made it to Kazan, or maybe it is the aftereffects of all those USSR years, but the average Russian carries a look on his face that says Lenin didn't smile, neither do I. I don't need vapid grins and boquets on my doorstep, but the occasional glint of joy in the eyes would not be frowned upon.
|
I digress....the author of the article you translated seems very accurate and to the point.