назад в СССР!

[peacetraveler22]

I'll never know or experience life during Soviet times, but during some of my visits to Russia I feel like I'm transported back to that era, or even another century. The road trip is coming to an end, with the final stop today in Yaroslavl. Along the way, I explored many small towns and spent an entire day and night in a village, talking to the locals in their homes, eating freshly prepared meals, and sleeping alone in an old house in the forest! But that will be the topic of another post. Yesterday in Soligalich, I entered a small meat shop and discovered this woman. I don't know for certain, but this blue uniform looks very Soviet, especially the hat. However, the most interesting thing in the provincial shops was...can you guess from the photo? :)

The object below! I became so confused when the shop owner started moving the balls, and thought she was offering to play some type of game. Then, my Russian travel companion informed me this is the shop's "calculator" or cash register, to add up the total cost of your purchase. How does it work? I still don't understand, but I was always bad at math. :)



The woman in the cheese shop next store was wearing this same blue outfit, but she is progressive! She had a normal adding machine, and even modern day scales to weigh the cheese.



I think it's always good to preserve your culture, including some old customs. But, yes, I was shocked to enter many small shops in Russian provinces and see no cash register, but this wooden contraption to calculate sales. Not just one or two shops, but a lot. Is it normal for a "modern" country? I think not. But maybe older people are so tied to tradition that they don't even want to purchase a basic calculator, which I assume is inexpensive in Russia. Progress in thought, technology, infrastructure...all signs of a healthy nation and culture in my view.

So many other things to write about, but I have no time on the road. :( On this trip, I've  met a lot of friendly Russians, and experienced no hostility based on the fact that I'm American. I'm very happy about both of these things! More to come soon...

Comments

[asharky.livejournal.com]

«Wooden contraption»™ can operate without electricity and without batteries or rechargeable batteries. Even if a power failure in the village shop will continue to work.

[natasmirnoff.livejournal.com]

I lived in the Soviet time, all my childhood and youth in the Soviet 70-80e. Uniforms Soviet sellers was white)) was a special standard and sanitary standards for uniforms sales staff .. The sample photos for perestroika era
strange to see the abacus .. very few people can use them))
I knew a woman, she could multiply and divide, and calculate the square root by abacus

[asharky.livejournal.com]

You're right.

"...I knew a woman, she could multiply and divide, and calculate the square root by abacus..."

As a child, I could count on them. My grandmother was the chief economist of the military factory and taught me this. But I no longer liked to ride them with other children. If they flip down swivel casters, and put them on top of a piece of plywood, then they turn into a great machine, where you can sit and ride.

However, it quickly breaks down such use :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Multiply and divide, and calculate the square root by abacus..." She's a genius! :))

[natasmirnoff.livejournal.com]

Oh,no it was part of education for book keepers many years ago

[racoonbear.livejournal.com]

By the way, there is wonderful science fiction story by Artur Clarke - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Comet
Just about that )

[inescher.livejournal.com]

My mom could do that (multiply and divide). I only remember how do the addition and substraction. It was a part of our preschool and elementary school education. I'm the same age as you and Shannon. :)

[volgota.livejournal.com]

Там если кто охереет из покупателей, можно сразу бить его счетами по башке, а компьютером это проблематично. Так что вещь полезная.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well, we can also wash ourselves with water from a well and from a bucket, but I still prefer showers. :)) However, bathing in the banya was cool!