The Russia I Remember

“There was never a good war, or a bad peace.”
— Benjamin Franklin

I visited Russia last October as part of a tourist group. At that time, the biggest worry was whether it would be safe to travel during the pandemic. But staying cooped up ‘safely’ in our own spaces was proving to be claustrophobic for many a travel enthusiast, and ultimately, I gave in to the urge.

Thinking about it now, I feel I did good by grabbing that opportunity, because I wonder when it would become ‘safe’ for tourists to visit Russia again.

War is insane. I wish peace reigns there at the earliest.

The places we visited and the people we met as part of the tour were truly beautiful.

Kiril and Alyona, our English-speaking tour guides, had met us at Domodedovo International Airport where we landed, and had been with us until we left Moscow two days later for St. Petersburg.

Kiril was eloquent about the history and culture of the great land, his words often revealing the pride he held for his motherland. All through the journey, it was a veritable class in Russian history—its buildings from each era, its monuments, the people, their lifestyle, politics, traditions, culture and a lot more.

Each time we boarded the huge tourist bus with its big glass windows, Kiril, seated next to the driver, would take up the microphone and enlighten us about the places we were going to visit.

This soft-spoken, smiling young man with light eyes and a pleasing countenance accompanied us throughout our stay in Moscow.

The same went for Alyona, a young and experienced tour guide who was also an English teacher. Both of them were extremely polite and professional in their behaviour, often going out of their way to help us whenever required. They were among the reasons why our limited days in Moscow ended so happily.

Alexander was with us from the time we disembarked from the bullet train on a drizzling winter evening in St. Petersburg.

A bespectacled, middle-aged man, well educated and a teacher by profession, he was very knowledgeable about Russia, its past history and present scenario. He mentioned eagerly that it was his dream to visit India someday.

During our visit to the Peterhof Palace, he actually apologised for the behaviour of a rather rude attendant, which was really gracious of him.

This friendly man was with us until we were dropped off at the airport to board our flight to Murmansk.

There were others too.

Susan, a friendly lady sitting next to me on our flight to Moscow, was an Armenian by birth and worked in India. Her family had settled down in Moscow long ago, and she was on her way to visit them.

Our brief meeting of a few hours led to a friendship so beautiful that she came to meet us at our hotel on the night prior to our departure, with a heart full of love and a big bag full of chocolates.

On the flight from St. Petersburg to Murmansk, my flight companion was Viktor, who showed me pictures of his lovely daughter and wife and spoke about their life in general in the northernmost part of the world.

All these people are in my thoughts and prayers now, as I keep wondering how educated, friendly and progressive-minded Russians like Kiril, Alyona, Alexander, Viktor and countless others like them would be managing the current war crisis that is threatening to explode at any time.

Russia has always been an enigmatic and fearful communist country for the rest of the world—cold and shrouded in secrecy.

But the younger generation was much influenced by the glitter and glamour of the Western world, which could be seen in their choice of clothes, food, movies and outlook too.

Perhaps, collectively, their voices of dissent would help thwart an impending global disaster.

War is never easy for anyone.

May peace return to that part of the world soon.