Way to Russia Talk Lounge

cyndy22 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject:

Katyara,
nice photo. Looks like a pretty place. Is it very populated?
How do you compare the winter this year in Kansas to Sakahalin?

Camrade · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject:

2Crabman

we'll see... Guiness is a great one by the way and ale is quite nice Wink

Katyara · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 12:01 am Post subject:

cyndy22 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

Katyara,
You're right winters in the states don't compare to Russia. I have noticed that weather, in particular, snow, freezing rain is made a big fuss over in the states. They close schools when there is 4 or 5 inches of fresh snow. It is rediculous. The media make a big to do and everybody else seems to follow. People here tend to rush to the food market when they think a storm is coming. It is really silly.

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

Calgary it has been -38 C and plus 15.

Katyara · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 4:42 am Post subject:

Jutrzenkapolska · VIP Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 534

Five inches of snow in New York and immediatly the mayor is calling an emergency press conference, half the people at work don't show, the kids stay home, the roads are empty and the sanitation trucks are rolling to clean it up the second it falls to the ground.Let me tell you, 5 inches of snow is no excuse for missing school in Poland. Not that I'm complaining.

Katyara · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

vorteks · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:46 am Post subject:

Katayara, how do kids go to school in Siberia when parents have no means of transportation and public transport is non existant (small wide spread townships)?

Here with a few inches of snow all over the country for 2 weeks, everything was blocked. Truck drivers are stuck on the road, house building workers stay at home and insurances don t have the means to pay for their unworked days, trains get stuck, planes get delayed, heating fuel deliveries are overwhelmed...even the usual winter time civil servants and students strikes are delayed Very Happy

We are meant to be mediterraneans, aint we Rolling Eyes

Katyara · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:

I am actually not from Siberia, and i have no idea how kids get to school in siberia. I guess the same way we do - walk. Me and my friend usually meet up by the cemetery and walk to school for about 30 minutes, when the buses don't work.
My family doesn't have a car at all, so sometimes when the bus is full and there is no room for me and my friend, we walk. We got used to it, especially since we walk to school every saturday or when the weather is nice.
Some kids (that happened to me couple times) just don't go to school at all, because they either live too far to get to school without a bus or just lazy and don't wanna mess with snow. Anyway, it's not that tough. Smile

cyndy22 · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:34 am Post subject:

This is a bit of a diversion from Russian winter but is related because it speaks of school children getting to school during winter and otherwise. I can't speak for Russia but do know that in the past 20 years or so in the states, school systems and cities have instituted alot of busing programs. Even when children live one half mile from school, there are buses to bring them to school and home. This was unheard of when I was a child. I always walked to school or rode my bicycle. And my mother did not accompany me or my brother and sisters. She was too busy taking care of children. But times have changed. And I really don't think the changes are so much for the better. Parents in the US are extremely over protective of their children. It is almost as if parents think that at any moment, their precious child is going to fall prey to some child molester or serial killer. I am not saying that there aren't dangers in the world, perverts and serial killers. But I really think in the US, people are becoming more and more afraid to trust anyone. In our neighborhood for example, we are one of the very few families who make an effort to meet neighbors and get to know them. I don't know what it's like in Russia and I imagine that it's different in the big cities as compared to small towns. I don't really think there is a need in the states for so much busing of children to school. Kids need exercise and fresh air and have more energy than they know what to do with. Bottom line here is that US has evolved into an over protective, paranoid society for many. I think that parents need to raise their children to be strong and not insecure. I am curious to learn more about these concerns in Russia. Perhaps I should start a new thread. Are people interested in this topic?

Jutrzenkapolska · VIP Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 534

When I was a kid,my parents walked me and my sister to and from school everyday and we'd be bused to Sunday school which was like 15 blocks away.However, that was because we lived across the street from Northern Bld.Are you going to let a nine-year-old walk across two intersections and under the highway alone.

Its really not safe out there for children.They don't know about perverts and kidnappers,they can't defend themselves, not to mention some kids just can't be trusted to take care of themselves.

cyndy22 · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:42 am Post subject:

Jutrzenkapolska,
BTW, do you have a nickname?
I agree that safety is a concern especially with regard to traffic and cities. I am not sure where you live but assume it is in the greater NYC metrapolis. And if that it so, I certainly agree that parents need to take more extreme measures for younger children. Big cities worldwide are very different than small cities and towns. We live in a very small city about 20,000 people. It still has farms and a rural feeling. In fact it doesn't feel at all like a city.

Crime of course occurs everywhere but it is rare that our city has any terrible crime. In fact the last terrible crime I remember about 10 years ago, was committed by a family member. It's not always strangers ya know!

I was trying to make a point that in the US as you in fact verify in your own comments, is very protective about children. I am not surprised to get your comment. I may be wrong but think that you are in your 20's, live in the city and your parents were 1st or 2nd generation Polish. Of course they did everything to protect you. Nothing wrong with that.

I think that in smaller cities and towns where danger is not so large, it makes far more sense to teach children to be cautious about strangers, assertive and strong about themselves, and have a certain amount of trust in their community. Contrary to what the media portrays, there are far more good people in the world than scum.

Katyara · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:34 am Post subject:

I live in a small town (about 30,000 people). I have walked to and from school since I was 8. I have a friend whose sister is 7 and she is walking to school by herself. There is not a lot of crime in my town either (except the night time, of course, every bad guy seems to wake up at night - I have been in couple freaky situations during the night).
I like buses though. I would like to have school buses in Russia too. I guess I am just tired of walking to school, especially when it gets very cold.

cyndy22 · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:41 am Post subject:

Katyara,
I think if you give any child the choice to walk or take a bus to school, the majority will choose bus. Sure, when it's cold, snowy or rainy, it is not pleasant to walk anywhere. Walking to school or library, market, etc. is not a bad thing for children in towns or cities that are decent. Of course night time is a different story. Children should never be by themselves at night unless they are just going from one house or apartment to another on the same block. Night time brings out fear, imagination and yes unfortunately some degree of crime. Still, call me naive, but I believe that criminals do not really care if it is day or night. I am glad that in Russia, where many people live in multi-family housing buildings, people are friendly and take care or at least are mindful of each other.

I think that adults learn alot from children. Adults seem to lose trust, respect, patience, forgiveness and love over the years. Life is not always kind after all. Children however do not have any natural tendency to be cynical and untrustworthy. Thank God for children. If only adults could remember the goodness of their childhood. Everything would be better.