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

[vitsky.livejournal.com]

Calculators are for dweebs! Only счёты, only hardcore! :)

By the way, wikipedia say, that in English it is called "russian abacus":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus#Russian

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Parts of this trip were extremely "hard-core," esp. spending the day and night in a real Russian village. But it was the best experience of the journey.

[naysayer15.livejournal.com]

I wonder why a 100+ K per year lawyer cannot find more fascinating things than wandering without purpose in the middle of nowhere in squalid conditions just to run into abacus and call it "the best experience of the journey". Are you SO bored?) From my experience the Americans don`t do anything without purpose/personal gain. You are weird, curly. Really weird.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm not wandering around without purpose. Each trip, I visit different regions of Russia. Places very few tourists, or even Muscovites see. My salary has nothing to do with it.

[naysayer15.livejournal.com]

What is the purpose? I don`t get it. To come across things like an old abacus? It makes you tremble with happiness? Seriously?) Your salary just highlights the big difference between what you could do and what you really do. And the things don`t fit. I would like to interrogate you :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You think I'm rich? If so, you're mistaken. Yes, my income is high but so is the cost of living in my area, all my bills, rent and student loans, which I pay entirely on my own. And what type of travel do you think I should be doing? Relaxing in five star resorts? This is not my style, I'm a simple woman. :)

[naysayer15.livejournal.com]

What is your area? Semirural Virginia?)) Anyway, it is not like NY, LA, SF and so on in terms of cost of living and your income I guess is greater than one of 90% of the Americans. So, your excuse of poorness is rejected :)

Well, probably you might visit Mexico, Peru or Brazil - The weather is comfortable and lots of landmarks and points of interest are available. If you love winter - Canada, Aspen or any European resort of this kind. If you want to have fun - go to Cuba or Barbados as many MILFs do ;)

The thing still don`t fit.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

My area is Northern Virginia/Washington, DC. It's expensive. I'm not a MILF! :)) This stands for "Mom I'd Like to Fuck." I have no children. :)