I woke up early Dec. 25 to a massive snow storm in Moscow that paralyzed traffic in my area and – based on many news reports – resulted in the worst traffic in Moscow in... Continue reading →

A Visit to Moscow’s Top Economics University  While working as a stock broker for an international investment bank in Moscow, I was asked once a year to participate in the firm’s recruitment program by speaking to Russian university students about... Continue reading →

Visit to a Russian ‘Ghost’ Village Russia continues today to experience an outflow of people from its villages to cities and towns, a process that is longer-term good for its economy and budget. Yes, it has... Continue reading →

Holiday Lights and Decorations  in Moscow Over the past few years, Moscow has done a pretty good job at decorating the city for the New Year and Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Lights brighten up the city center... Continue reading →

Kursk: Visit to Central Russia Region I spent a few days walking around Kursk city, which lies about 450km southwest of Moscow, and one day traveling around its outskirts by car. I visited the city’s universities... Continue reading →

Visit to a Russian Village Russia’s villages are often in the center of attention when one is trying to demonstrate negative views on the nation’s economy and demographics. Many Russian villages are indeed in very poor shape, some... Continue reading →

Kolomna: Quaint Moscow Region Town I once whizzed through Kolomna, a small town 120 km from Moscow, on my way to the city of Ryazan and recalled only a Soviet hotel and red Kremlin wall.... Continue reading →