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

A recent video from Kazan :)

[rostislavddd.livejournal.com]

An unknown girl came out of the crowd and improvised with street musicians.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Cool! :) What is she singing about? I cannot understand the words.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend again got involved in bad things,
Fight, I swallowed some turbidity.
He took me, and I drove it.
Now I want such as Putin.

Such as Putin, full of strength,
Such as Putin, not to drink.
Such as Putin, so as not to offend,
Such as Putin, so as not to run away.

I saw him yesterday in the news,
He said that the world is at a crossroads.
With this, it is easy and at home and away,
Now I want such as Putin.

Such as Putin, full of strength,
Such as Putin, not to drink.
Such as Putin, so as not to offend,
Such as Putin, so as not to run away.
Such as Putin, full of strength,
Such as Putin, not to drink.
Such as Putin, so as not to offend,
Such as Putin, so as not to run away.
Such as Putin, full of strength,
Such as Putin, not to drink.
Such as Putin, so as not to offend,
Such as Putin, so as not to run away.
Such as Putin, full of strength,
Such as Putin, not to drink.
Such as Putin, so as not to offend,
Such as Putin, so as not to run away.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Oh my! Is this a real song? :)) Or, something she improvised?

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

It's real. The caricature image of Putin, created in Western media reality is not what many Russians see in their reality. The truth is somewhere in between. Some neighbors hate him, just because they wish to have one like him as their own leader, but they don't have one, and many women would like to have a strong person like ... you know.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

There's nothing attractive about him to me - neither physically or personality. I despise this "macho" persona in men.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I did not mean it. And as I know, he is a bad dater - always late and busy...

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Late" - yes, this is very rude. But "busy" - it's okay. :)) I don't want someone around me 24/7, and even in a relationship, men and women should not lose their self-identity and pursue personal passions and interests. This is my view. :)

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[pin-gwin.livejournal.com]

I'll let him know

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

:))

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[vw-patent.livejournal.com]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk_VszbZa_s - I think this is the original

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[karbunkul-lug.livejournal.com]

Did you like original song?

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

No, it sounds like awful dance music in some seedy disco. :))

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[karbunkul-lug.livejournal.com]

Тhe sound of the nineties

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

In the 90's, I was listening to grunge music - Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains....:) I was never into the dance/nightclub scene, not even in youth.

Re: A recent video from Kazan :)

[karbunkul-lug.livejournal.com]

I was fanat of Kurt Cobain that time )

Re: Do not take for policy :)

[rostislavddd.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend got in trouble again evil deeds ,
Fought , swallowed some dregs
So he got me , and I drove it ,
And I want this now , Putin !

Such as Putin - full of energy ,
Such as Putin - not to drink ,
Such as Putin - not to offend ,
Such as Putin - that did not run away !

I saw him yesterday in the news
He said that the world is at a crossroads,
With this , it is easily at home and away ,
And I want this now , Putin !

Such as Putin - full of energy ,
Such as Putin - not to drink ,
Such as Putin - not to offend ,
Such as Putin - that did not run away !

Re: Do not take for policy :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well, he is still single, right? :)

Re: Do not take for policy :)

[rostislavddd.livejournal.com]

Many angry voices connect it and Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva - tatar from Kazan. :)

Re: Do not take for policy :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm aware she was his purported mistress for many years, probably even having his babies. But who knows? Or, really cares? :)) I'm sure many women would be happy to have such a powerful man. This is a big aphrodisiac for many females...but not me personally.

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Tatarstan swimming in money for same reason Chechnya does - separatism. Russians and Tatars don't like each other (no real hate, but still. For example GULAG camps was guarded by Tatars - Uncle Joe was smaaartazzz) And after USSR collapse Tatarstan was number one candidate for independence. It was cured by unprecedental level of autonomy and very favorable fiscal policy. Even now, after 15 years of Putin' centralization policy Tatarstan boss is only one exept Poo who name yourself "President", and have ability to sign international agreements like sovereign. You maybe know - Russians always have worse living standarts compare to other etnicities of Empire. Georgia is another example. Georgians was a shadow business tycoons in USSR and synonym for richmen. Simply put, Russia is a land empire, and our yday enemy is today neighbour or even part of the state. So we cannot afford to treat em like Sea Empires did with their colonies. Conquer your enemy, grab his lands, give him all he want, make him friend - Unite&Rule vs yours Divide&Conquer.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

And who lives better now? Russians or Georgians? I will compare, because I'll visit Georgia in October. :)

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Russians. Georgians have food and wine, and resort capabilities similar to Balkans/Crimea. No more than this. No industry or science or good edu. Just another Montenegro, but without EU support. Almost all ex-Soviet republics are shtholes today. Except maybe Turkmenistan (because of natural gas, but with NKorean - style govt). Belarus and Kazakhstan are OK, because they are "friends" and sponsored by Kremlin in various ways (and Kazakhstan have quite good govt by MiddleAsia standards too.) Balts on EU/USA payroll, they only way of living, Estonia slightly better than other two - they get money from Swedes too. All others - from Ukraine and Moldova to Tajikistan and Armenia lost a lot. If there's a thing with which all Russians agree - from left to right - we don't wants to feed anyone no more.
Still Georgia is nice place to visit.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I've been to all the Baltic States. I liked each of them. Nice places to visit, esp. in the rural and village areas. Some really nice landscapes...