Russia through the eyes of the Swiss

• Russia through the eyes of the Swiss

In 2011, Simon Josse took a year sabbatical and traveled to Russia, Mongolia, China, Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Russia in this list was the first country and the most obscure - Hostelling little guides are one-sided, stereotype stereotype. Simon turned to me for help, and I provided him an appointment in the socialist camp. A year later held a return visit me in Switzerland, but now is not about that.

It was incredible experience, including how to look at Russia through the eyes of others, a man who used to live in a different way and see it for the first time. Plus people - my good friend, and cranberries will not pour - that in mind, then, and on the tongue.

Thus, the first file - Simon Josse.

1982 of birth, place of birth and residence - the city of Bern, Switzerland.

Occupation: school teacher, primary and secondary classes.

Hobbies: travel and metal music. It is one of the most authoritative figures of the metal movement in Switzerland, the organizer of the country's biggest death metal / grindcore festival.

Personal characteristics: the nature of the Nordic, solid. True Aryan.

He speaks German, English and French.

Curious, open, sociable, curious and infectious childish kind.

Simon (left) I (right).

Herr Josse - you my word:

The Brest-Central was a long stop - rails in Belarus and Russia wider. We changed the wheel. Anatoly, my companion, explained that this is because Russian did not want the Germans could move rapidly in Russia during the war. Here you go women and persistently offered a lot of food - Anatoly taught me how to give up on Russian - net ne nada

In Moscow, I met Alex and his friend on an old Russian car. The machine was not working and gasoline gauge needle jumped on the position of "empty tank" to "tank full" - but Alex somehow always knew how many gasoline, and also said that Russian often travel with a dead speedometer.

The strange machine as if sitting on a stool with wheels.

Alex at the wheel

But these strange machines even the police goes.

Road traffic in Russia is immediately clear that different from ours. I would not have sat behind the wheel in Russia.

Begin to move very rapidly, very rapidly rebuilt. Overtaking on the right - there is a common thing. Russian still do not know what a continuous marking line must not be crossed and even cross the double.

They go very fast and do not keep your distance. So many accidents I've seen two or three a day! A lot of cars dented after the accident, and continue to drive. It seems that it does not bother anyone, even the police.

Alex lives in a 25-minute drive from the train station, at home, we were immediately greeted by his cat. Alex said. that she is as crazy as he is.

In Russia, I spent the night in 10 places, and went to the guests - and all living cats - I think the cat is in every Russian home. And everywhere they can not leave the house.

The district lives 130 thousand people - as many as in the entire capital of Switzerland! And then it's just a neighborhood.

Biker center.

Alex bliny treated me with caviar. This Russian dish, something like a thin omelette. Caviar I first did not recognize - "that is caviar, hey, you are in Russia, dude!" Alex told me. Treat I could not drink - in Russia is forbidden to drink and drive at all. Ate national Russian soup, borstch.

If you are in Russia for more than three days, you need to register with the police. I think it can be done on the internet, but had to go themselves and fill a lot of papers.

When I asked where I do check when I go to Mongolia, I was told that it is no use to anybody, and I can throw it. It is not clear - why do it if it is useless and no one had to check?

Registered. Alex said that now the KGB knows where I am.

They showed me a church where Russian buying wine. Alex said he buys wine only in the church, because the store is counterfeit.

We drove so. N. "Street", where there was no asphalt, despite the fact that there were houses.

I brought a gift raclette for cheese production, but other plug into Russia. While I was thinking where to get the adapter - Alex took it and just broke the third plug - and it worked!

In Russia, a lot of shops are open, not shut, day and night. It is very convenient!

Department, where vodka is sold

Russian drink a lot of tea from a large mug. And no one was drinking vodka with me, before I went to Siberia.

To Siberia, I thought it was a stereotype, and Russian vodka did not drink.

Me and my friend Alex placed in a country house of his parents - these houses are called datcha

Toilets on datcha somehow do away from home, separate cabins, which smells and where there are no seats.

We went to 11 pm, but the suburban road was a big traffic. I thought it was because of the accident, but it turned out that is there every day. Almost all the time we were on the sidelines ahead standing on the road.

In Moscow there are no public toilets, only temporary.

Russian submarine.

In Russia, a lot of military vehicles on the streets, as monuments and small playgrounds. Everywhere children play directly on the guns and tanks.

When I went to the beach football, at the entrance was a metal detector. My backpack rang, it was a knife, I would like to pass it, but I was told that I was going through. I asked, he said that I have a knife, but I still say go.

There was another metal, stood next to the security guard, but the metal was somehow off.