Snapshot from Tatarstan

[peacetraveler22]

I don't know much about the Tatars, but I began to go through old photos I took in Kazan last year and noticed I have a lot of shots of locals walking the streets. I guess their appearance is highly unusual to me, even exotic to some extent. Here's just one example. About this girl (woman?), I know nothing, but find her intriguing. :)

What do I need to know about the Tatars, and this Republic of Russia? My host in this city spoke very little English, so it was difficult to learn a lot about the region from the native showing me around. Please share any interesting facts or insights. I struggle to understand why cities like Kazan are so much nicer than other parts of Russia? Is it because the region is rich in oil, and has more resources? Kazan is now my second favorite city, only Peter is more aesthetically pleasing. Both have very friendly locals, and Kazan has more English speakers than any other city I've visited. I guess because there are so many young students there, but it makes navigation in the city much easier for a foreign tourist like me...

Comments

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I agree! She's beautiful, in a very natural way. These are the types of females I find most attractive. :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What is the issue? They're strongly disliked, even in modern day Russia? They are 1000% more friendly than the average Muscovite...:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't think this derogatory ethnic slur is used for Tatars, but I could be wrong.

[Макс (from livejournal.com)]

Isn't it obvious? I don't know how to say it directly, I'll just try to explain this with an example. Imagine that you're badly concerned what other people are thinking of you. So badly that you're going to Stalin and tell him - listen buddy, it seems to me that those people don't like me at all and you have to do something with them. Yes, and he does. But in a manner that you don't expect. Actually it turns out even worse for you than it was before. But the truth is that nobody care about you in the first place and this was all just a figment of you imagination.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean in the context of your joke. I meant in real life, but I understand the point. Thanks for the further explanation. :))

[dp-3lo.livejournal.com]

Если вы планируете только Казань - посетить -то конечно не найдете там американских компаний.
Это надо посетить Набережные Челны и Елабугу.

А традиционные татарские семьи - вы найдете в сельской местности.
В татарских деревнях.
Казанские татары - они слишком европейские. :)

[popados.livejournal.com]

no, she is a mix of siberian russians and mordovian peoples (like topmodel Natalia Vodyanova) ))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You're a beautiful couple! :)) I hope I can meet her one day...

[popados.livejournal.com]

I hope so!))

Re: Каждый русский немножко татарин.

[ria9.livejournal.com]

Ukrainan writes

Re: Каждый русский немножко татарин.

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Да неужто?

Facts you need to know about Tatarstan and tatar:

[timur sharifullin (from livejournal.com)]

Facts you need to know about Tatarstan and tatar:
1) Tatarstan has been occupied by Russia since 1552. Before that Russia was occupied by tatars , but tatar tolerance and 10% tax system let Russia gather money and power to attack Tatarstan.
2) Words such as «customs», «tax», «money», «treasury», etc. in Russian are tatar words as until for Russians these words were unknown.
3) For German traveler and scientist Karl Fuchs in the 1800-s tatars were more educated than people, living in the most West European states. Lenin in 1900-s said that tatars were the most educated nation in Russian Empire. At that time education in Europe and Russian Empire got only rich people and there was no state education system. But in Tatarstan rich tatars opened private schools, where even poor tatars got education without charge.
4) Being afraid of tatar and Tatarstan enhancement –tatars were scattered across all USSR by communists.
5) In Russia Tatars are often compared with Jew - for their intellect, cunning and entrepreneurship.
6) Tatars never had serfdom, they never have been slaves, but their human rights have been always infringed by Moscow.
7) Tatarstan (and any russian region) has no influence on economic, tax or politic system in Russia – just Putin. Russian federation is false federation –not like Unites States.
8) Many tatars (but not all) now mentally almost don't differ from Russians – russian system of education, russian vodka, russian television and propaganda raise russification of tatars every day.
9) In Russian it is prohibited to get higher education in tatar language (even private education).
10) There is only one tatar TV-channel allowed, that shows only traditional and cultural practices (no politics).
11) Tatarstan now send Moscow about 80% of its gathered taxes.
12) As a tatar I dream when my nation get ability to build its own independent state. But not all tatars like me – many belive in Putin (Russian propaganda is as strong as Hitler’s propaganda). In Russian my dream is called as separatism and sentenced to the longest terms.
Sorry for my poor English.)

Re: Facts you need to know about Tatarstan and tatar:

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your comment! The English is fine. :)

[Айрат Ахмадуллин (from livejournal.com)]

Hi, Shannon!
My name is Ayrat. I'm your grateful reader from Tatarstan and I'm so glad that you haven't forgot us yet.
Of course, not all Tatar women are domestic abusers, even a small part of them is not. But they are really tough human beings))
As a Tatar male I think I can tell you something interesting about our women. So, some facts...
1) The Tatar girls are really strong.("girls" might be of age from 0 to 50-60 since then they become 'abi' which means 'grandmother')
2) They are perfectionists. They are always want to be the most beautiful, the most successful and reach and to be a good housemaids and beloved mothers at the same time.
3) They despise any form of weakness and they never forgive a minor fault.
3) You can not beat your tatar wife without taking a risk to be poisoned or slaughtered during your rest time. This knowledge somehow chills even brutal machos' minds))
One tatar man had been beating his wife. She had put up with it until she was fed up with it. Then she cooked a delicious 'pilaf' .'Pilaf' is a common Tatar and Asian food made of sheeps meat and rice.
The fattest sheeps meat is the more the 'pilaf' is tasty. That day it was very - very - very delicious fat pilaf and then she gave him a cup of cold beer. You know, the more beer is
cold the more it tasty. The cold beer frozened the pilafs fat in the mans guts. Some hours later the husband suffered and died from ileus or intestinal obstruction. The wife has never been
accused of murder. I don't know whether this story truth or not, but it is whidely known here as a city legend))
4) The Tatars were ruled by females long ago before The England was ruled by Elizabeth I of England "The Virgin Queen".
I suppose you have seen the Suumbike's tower in the Kazan's Kremlin, havent't you? Suumbike was our queen and she fought against Ivan the Terrible.
And there were many other brave queens who fought.
5) We have 'abstay's here. 'Abstay' is an Islamic femail "Imam" or priest. This is why another muslims like Arabs despise us. They think that we are wrong Muslimins.
They can't get the fact that a women can talk a preach to the men, give them the cermone. Hmmm, may be we are the only nation who has a female priests?)))
6) We even had Muhlisa Bubi who was the only femail 'kady' in the history of the Islam. 'Kady' is a Shariah Judge.
7) I know that my English is poor, so I beg my pardon for all my mistakes))
Good wishes and luck to you))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi Ayrat! Thanks for your comments, and your English is fine. Don't worry. Well, a strong woman is good. :) I think only weak men are intimidated by such female personalities, but of course being strong does not mean you should poison or beat your husband. :)) Cheers!

Question

[bruce stores (from livejournal.com)]

Hi Shannon,

As one who has traveled extensively and lived in four countries (Guatemala, Vietnam, pre-revolution Iran, and now Mexico, I very much enjoyed your travel journals. But that is not what brought me to your site.

I grew up in Arlington Va. in the 1950's (yes, I'm older than dirt.) In those years I had a very close friendship with James Edward McKeon who I had been searching for over many decades. I also learned he had a daughter named Shannon, which brought me to your site. Is it possible he was your father or you have a different relation with him?

If not, then viewing your many travel photos in your Journal made this visit worthwhile and please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely,

Bruce Stores, rbstores@hotmail.com

Re: Question

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hello! Thanks for your message, but I don't know anyone named James Edward McKeon, and he is not a part of my family. Good luck in your search to find him!

[bessonov-folk.livejournal.com]

Hello! During my travels in Russian province I always see that Tartar villages are reacher more well-conditioned than another ones. I think Tatars are laborious and cultured people especially in regard to the everyday life.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I agree! This region of Russia is very well-maintained, and I must say the Tatars I encountered were very friendly! :)