Greetings from Moscow

[Twenty Inch]

I've been facilitating (in Russian) a two-day planning workshop for the start of our new four-year project, and my brains are starting to leak out of my ears. My Russian is fluent, but this is tiring. I've been here since Sunday.

Still, we've got the project off to a good start with loads of buy-in from partners, and it looks like there'll be some good results for our client group. We're planning a series of training events in the regions, so Siberia and Karelia here I come. I might even get to Khabarovsk too, which would be a blast.

It's not too cold here - plus 3 and wet. Haven't seen much of the place, but don't feel the need to either. Might go to the cinema tonight, and see what exhibitions are on in the Historical Museum tomorrow. Last time I was here I saw an amazing exhibition of Chinese silk and porcelain. Beautiful work from the last 3000 years.

Haven't seen many cyclists, although the entry hall of the Moscow State University was full of students' bikes this afternoon.

 

[dan_bo]

Jammy get. i'd love to get to moscow.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Don't get lured into any honey traps.

 

[Maz]

What sort of project is it?

 

[ChrisKH]

We send our male trainees to the Moscow office for a six month secondment. They hate it but invariably end up with a Russian 'friend' to help fend off the cold nights whilst they're there. They are rich in comparison to the locals.

 

[dan_bo]

Are these 'friends' all called Petra perchance?

 

[Maz]

We send our male trainees to the Moscow office for a six month secondment. They hate it but invariably end up with a Russian 'friend' to help fend off the cold nights whilst they're there. They are rich in comparison to the locals.

Details please:
Why only the males?
What kind of 'friend'?

 

[Fnaar]

We send our male trainees to the Moscow office for a six month secondment. They hate it but invariably end up with a Russian 'friend' to help fend off the cold nights whilst they're there. They are rich in comparison to the locals.

a sort of furry muffler, so to speak

 

[Batzman]

We send our male trainees to the Moscow office for a six month secondment. They hate it but invariably end up with a Russian 'friend' to help fend off the cold nights whilst they're there. They are rich in comparison to the locals.

...and remember, with enough vodka, anyone can speak perfect Russian

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'm off to Kaliningrad on Sunday 'till Friday... the great Russian CC meet-up!

Never been before, don't understand a word, gonna be working with a Brazilian... what a weird week ahead. Think I'll pack camera and some good books!

Mind you, kaliningrad is quite a military town, it's also where Putin is planning to put his anti USA missiles... could be an exciting week.

 

[levad]

Great, I like Moscow. Been twice, passed through on my way to Tblisi in 1991 and then visited for a few days in 2006 to give a presentation (in English with a Russian translator). Temperature was -25 when I was last there and the river was frozen. Fantastic. Just coming to the end of 10 weeks learning Russian.