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

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Ha-ha, you are sooo polite, Shannon. Russian pop and movies is incredible sht.
Maybe main reason for Soviet nostalgia - culture was brilliant, we simply don't have nothing comparable these days.
https://youtu.be/-IXjLrUcXTE

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

For me, lyrics are most important in music, so if I can't understand what the singer is saying, I rarely relate to a song. My Russian is very, very bad. This is the primary reason I've never listened to Russian music. It's not about politeness, just practicality. :)

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Sorry Shannon, what's you actually say -_"I don't like music at all" No problem, about third of people are deaf to music. Words in songs - like screenplay in movies - yes, important, but magic lies elsewhere.
Sad time for me, BTW. Prince was a true genius. Totally unknown in Russia. Greatest performer of all times, hands down. I listen "Question of U", drink vodka and cry. Bowie's death was already too much for me, now I'm completely devastated...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well, I also like the music, but I'm a poet, so words are more important. Just a matter of personal preference. Yes, it's tragic about Prince. :(( I saw him perform in concert several times. A true genius. What a pity that he isn't well-known in Russia, and that so many other horrible Western bands/musicians pushing shitty tunes are worshiped.

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm a musician, hi!))
Yes, Russian taste looks strange. But explanation is simple.
Rock records slips through Iron Curtain mostly thanks to merchant sailors, with average price about month salaries per vynil. So who could afford it? Golden kids of Party elite. But this kind of people don't want anything "dirty". So average Soviet rock fan was pressed to listen Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Yes, ABBA, and other more pleasant - sounding groups. Even Zeppelins was a kind of "guilty pleasure" and very rare.
Also our folk music have very different roots. Unlike Europe, where music was mainly for dancing and celebrations and performed by men, in Russia folk songs are strictly for women, who gathered together in someone house, for knitting. They singing while sitting, without any instruments, so Russians are very into simple, choir-like melodies, but deaf to rhytmic things or musician work. So no wonder - only one Prince song more or less known here is "Most Beautiful Girl In The World".
P.S. Still wonder why you visit us so often. Is it a kind of challenge for you? Russia is extreme, very different and of enormous complexity. Maybe one of most complex societies in the world. Sometimes I think you are just a butterfly... but very brave one))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I visit Russia for the exact reasons you state - because it's a complex and interesting country, and I'm never bored there. In travel, I like to experience new sensations, be exposed to different mentalities and customs, and try to make sense of it all. :) For an American, Russia is exotic on many levels, but I've been there so many times the past few years, that it's time to move onward to other interesting places. After Georgia, I want to go the "stan" countries. Not sure which one I'll pick first...probably Uzbekistan. I'm very much a free-spirit, and yes, a butterfly to a certain extent. I don't like to be caged, and prefer to roam about...I write about music a lot in this blog. It's my second greatest passion after travel. Here's my main post on the topic - http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/32708.html.

[zx-ready.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks! It explain a lot))
Like almost all Russians, I prefere Britons. But I eat music by megatones for decades, so know much about American music too. Up to The Carpenters and Andrews Sisters. I maybe only guy here who listen Tom Petty and John Mellencamp.
So you walks on rocky roads for life - good, I like it)) Thx for response, shiny, just don't drink much in Georgia - local wine kicks like a mule!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Visit the blog more often. :)