Village Squire, 1977-05, Page 41breaking the laws --rules and laws which
you may find unusual.
There's little or no problem. however, if
you go on a group tour which is
professionally escorted (the escort is
assigned by the Western tour operator;
there's also a guide supplied by Intourist).
Not only is it more economical than
individual travel, but things like visas are
smoothed out long before you leave
Canada, and your tour itinerary is set so
that you know where you'll be going and
how long you'll be in each place.
With those things definite. you can do
some homework; research the cities you'll
visit for items of special interest to you.
And people who may want to contact you
will know roughly where you are
("roughly" is used advisedly here because
Intourist doesn't assign hotels to travellers
much in advance of arrival).
And spend a few hours studying the
Russian Cyrillic alphabet. This is what
makes Russian look like such a "foreign"
language. Yet with a few clues from a
handbook on English -Russian vocabulary
for travellers. you'll be able to figure out
such crucial things as street names.
Not many Russians yet speak English,
although the number is increasing. But
they make up for it with a happy blend of
curiosity and friendliness. a combination
that leads to understanding whenever
things like language break down.
There are many Russians. they say,
separated by geography and climate. The
frigid Russia of the French and German
retreats from Moscow contrasts remark-
ably with the sun -splashed Black Sea
resorts; and the rugged Urals fence in the
fertile Ukraine. It's the world's biggest
show, waiting to be seen.
Canadian travellers are finding that the
cost of Russian travel is worth it. They've
discovered that the Soviet Union is indeed
an "intriguing tapestry, sombre yet
scintillating".
The nation is a collection of IS republics:
the Georgians, Tartar, Kazakhs, Ukranians
and Uzbecks are probably the most familiar
names. And, as one observer has said,
"when they mingle in subtle -gray Moscow,
they clang together with a cultural vitality
that continues to amaze. Their heartiness
begins with food, extends to drink, and
doesn't even begin to end with spectator
sports --soccer and hockey".
A visit to Russia is a special kind of
trip...and it presents certain complications
to the traveller. The first stems from the
fact that while foreign visitors are
welcome, the Russians aren't bending over
backwards to attract us. As Eugene Fodor,
the travel authority puts it: they want "you
to consider your trip as an educational
experience. not just a holiday". And that's
a reasonable request. But it means you
can't get away with bending the rules and
411101C:1
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INTERIORS
151 Main Street West, l htowel Ont.
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VILLAGE SQUIRE/MAY 1977, 39.
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