peacetraveler22 | Entries tagged with america

I believe hands are one of the most intriguing and useful body parts. They serve as the catalyst for immense emotions ranging from pleasure to pain, from soft caresses to violent beatings, and for some people the subtle and tactile movement of hands transforms ordinary images or pieces of wood into artistic masterpieces. During my trip to Alaska last year, I encountered a group of Native totem carvers. I knew almost nothing about totem poles before I visited the small town of Ketchikan, but it was there that I met with a local carver who explained the important role these poles play in Native traditions. I've already shown you the handsome carver. Perhaps you remember him?( Read more... )

Who knew that it was shameful to eat off of paper plates, or sip from a plastic cup? My translated post about Thanksgiving appeared in TOP LJ all day yesterday, and the comments were just a feast for the soul and mind! Many people immediately commented on the fact that my family eats off of paper plates, not porcelain or china! This is a sign of bad taste and a lower class upbringing, of course! We are poorly educated American rednecks! :)) Apparently after slaving over the oven all day cooking for 40 people, many Russians would prefer to stand at the sink in the evening for hours loading the dishwasher multiple times or hand-washing precious porcelain than demean themselves and use disposable plates and cups! My family certainly owns nice porcelain, but we don't feel the need to eat off of sparkling plates at such huge gatherings. Does the food taste different if it's served on a fancy plate? I don't think so. :) Other common observations in the comments:( Read more... )

Here's a holiday repost for all of my new readers, but as a special thanks to everyone it is written in Russian. :) I changed the text a bit, there are some new photos because I made a different dessert for the feast this year (peanut butter pie!), and we started a new family tradition for this holiday (see photo 32). Thanks to my reader Alexander in Tbilisi, Georgia, for spending so much time translating the text in the middle of the night out of pure kindness. Cheers!

Если спросить у американцев про их любимые праздники, то большинство выскажется за День Благодарения и Рождество. Это наиболее значимые для Штатов праздники, и их отмечают с размахом большими компаниями, включая дальних родственников. А сейчас посмотрите, как этот праздник отмечает моя семья в небольшом городе Манассас в штате Виргиния. Приятного вам просмотра, тем же моим читателям, кто отмечает этот праздник в США или за границей - приятного аппетита! :)( Read more... )

For the past two days, I hosted

popados and his lovely friend Luba in Washington, DC. Yes, they visited the State Department for cookies, but it was necessary to feed them proper meals. I offered to slave away in the kitchen, to prove that American women CAN cook, but they wanted to eat in restaurants so I took them to two ordinary places where a lot of Americans dine - Chili's and Outback Steakhouse. These are not expensive restaurants, but you can get a good meal at a cheap price, and taste some typical American cuisine. You can find these chains in almost all States across the U.S. Plus, it's always fun to sit in a cafe or restaurant and observe the natives in a social environment. Most Americans eat out several times a week, when they're in a hurry or just too lazy to prepare a homemade dinner. The list of choices is endless, even small towns typically have several shopping centers and restaurants. In this photo, a Tex-Mex salad, covered with chicken, salsa, beans, corn, peppers and avocado. But, of course, you can't come to America and not eat steak. :)) So, on the first night we went to devour a bloody piece of meat...( Read more... )

Herschel's Restaurant...Mount Pleasant, Texas. Our pancakes are better than yours. :)

When you sit in traffic for almost two hours each morning on the way to work, you notice a lot of different bumper stickers and personalized license plates on the cars of your fellow commuters. This morning, a car passed me with this sticker plastered on the bumper and another one that read "I SELL THE AMERICAN DREAM." I couldn't find a stock photo of a bumper sticker with this slogan, and I've never seen it before. I can't understand what the expression "I SELL THE AMERICAN DREAM" means?

What is the "American dream"? I don't even know, because life dreams vary depending on the personality and ambition of each individual. We can't say that the American dream is one specific thing, although the stereotypical formula is (1) work hard; (2); earn a decent living; (3) marriage + children; (4) home ownership = the "dream." Yesterday, I read a post in the LJ immigrant community, which focused on the proposition that a green card does not bring happiness. The post is here. When the diversity lottery opens each year, a lot of posts on this topic and immigration into America get published. The lottery opened on 1 October and will run until 3 November. With the exception of marrying an American, the diversity lottery is 100% the easiest pathway to U.S. citizenship if you're selected, though the chances are very, very slim. Good luck to those readers who will apply. However, it's necessary to remind everyone about the expression on the next popular bumper sticker:

( Read more... )

Cult of personality. I believe it's a very dangerous thing, no matter the country. The further you travel into provincial Virginia, the greater the chances of seeing villages filled with rednecks, Confederate flags, and citizens who hate Obama for turning the USA into a socialist State. Yes, in America such people exist in multitudes, and there's no cult of personality for one particular leader. In the mountains of the Blue Ridge area, I entered a quaint antique shop and came across this roll of toilet paper, graced with Obama's face. A whole shelf full of them, for people who wish to wipe their asses with Obama's imprint. I frequently see posts here on LJ with all the patriotic t-shirts, even vending machines filled with shirts covered in Putin's portrait, slogans with glee over "our Crimea" and other hysteria. Who wears these items?( Read more... )

On this day, there's always a very somber mood in the USA. Absolutely everyone from my generation remembers where they were when they first heard the news of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center. Life in the USA was never the same again, even to this day. On the news this morning, I was reminded of how many years have passed - 14. It seems almost unimaginable that there's now a whole generation of kids who have no memories from that day. They were not even born, or were only small toddlers when the graphic images of the towers collapsing appeared on TV screens. Some of my readers who are in their early 20's probably only have vague recollections of this historic event also. But for others, including myself, there's no escaping these images or the fateful tragedies of so many lives that day.( Read more... )

I had no idea the first day of school in Russia is such a big celebration, with flowers and festivities. I never noticed before, but I see a lot of photos from my Russian friends on Facebook, with boys and girls dressed up and bright flowers in their arms. It's a beautiful tradition! Personally I always hated school, at every level. This is a strange statement for someone like me who has spent half of my life in some type of educational institution - 2 years of preschool, 12 years to get a high school diploma, 4 years for my university degree in English/Writing and then another 5 years to get my doctorate in law. Total = over 20 years!!

In the U.S., we don't have such a big celebration for the first day of school. I think it's completely different, though each parent still posts photos of their kids with their backpacks and books. My nephew started second grade yesterday, and I watched him get on the school bus. I never once had the urge to have a child, or carry such a huge responsibility for another human. I look at my sister, working full time, constantly running from place to place with my nephew. One day it's karate lessons, the next soccer practice, a friend's birthday party....the list is endless. Sometimes I look at her and feel relieved that I have absoultely no responsibility. Not for a child, or a husband, only myself and family. Free to do as I wish, when I want. It sounds selfish to many, but this is the reality in which I live and I have never wanted it any other way.( Read more... )

In the past few months, an invasion has occurred in the heart of Times Square. No, it's not terrorists or depressed stock brokers worried about the recent collapse of the financial markets. It's boobs! I sometimes wonder what it must be like to be a beautiful woman, with no marketable skills other than selling your body. Some busty and shapely immigrants have found a way to milk the millions of tourists who flock to Times Square to visit the constant carnival like circus. I have no idea why so many foreigners and Americans wish to visit this place. I've been there a few times, and there's absolutely no desire to return to this sea of humanity and colorful freak show.

The influx of near-naked women, collecting tips to pose for photos with tourists, has reached epic proportions this summer, and the Mayor and some local residents are angry. They wear only a thong, a thin layer of paint and a big smile. The going price for such a photo ranges from $10 - $20 and some parents are growing alarmed that these women are approaching their teenage boys on vacation. "It's child pornography!", screamed one mom I saw on the news. The police have little power in this situation because public nudity is legal in New York as long as it's part of a "performance." What do you think?( Read more... )

I absolutely hate politics, but as a trademark lawyer I pay close attention to the slogans of politicians, particularly now that the 2016 Presidential race is in full force. I don't know if you have live debates during Russian election cycles, but in the U.S. it's a big deal. We've already had one debate televised, over a year before the election. The participants were all from the Republican party, and I can't say there is any candidate I would support at this point in time. Typically, when the choice is finally narrowed to two Presidential candidates, we go to the polls and vote for the lesser of two evils. My primary concern is always social issues, not foreign policy or even economic matters. To me, it's most important, and I simply can't stand to watch debates where very conservative Republican party members start speaking about Jesus, faith and the topic of abortion. I 100% support freedom of religion, but am completely opposed to mixing Church and State. Now, let's look at the boring, non-creative slogans of some of the 2016 Presidential candidates. Of course, this is not the official slogan of Hillary, but it's eye-catching, huh? :)( Read more... )

Who wants a postcard from one of my favorite States? I have four, to send anywhere on the globe. Leave your name and address in the comments, and I'll send the cards to the addresses displayed in comments 25, 50, 75 and 100. All comments are protected so no one will see your address except me. And, here's a few iPhone pics of my relaxing time on the Northern sea coast.( Read more... )

I've never once seen bloody animals being sacrificed, goats with sliced throats or any other celebratory or religious customs of Muslims celebrated on the streets of the USA. However, I remember readers sending me photos of these religious traditions, which may seem barbaric to some, playing out on the streets of different Russian cities. I've always struggled with the question of immigration vs. cultural heritage. To what extent should immigrants in a new country part with their cultural ties, and assimilate into the new environment? I think it's a delicate balance, and there are no easy answers.

When I was in San Diego a few months ago, my visit coincided with one of the most important Mexican holidays - Cinco De Mayo. Most Americans think this is Mexican Independence Day, but in fact it's a day to commemorate the Mexican army's victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday is widely celebrated in the USA, with many festivals and ordinary citizens eating Mexican food and sipping margaritas in the warm sun. I was in Old Town San Diego, a huge Mexican mecca in California, during Cinco De Mayo and encountered all kinds of festivities, food, beautiful dancers and mariachi bands.( Read more... )

Can you guess what's growing in the bright, green leaves? :) I think one of the biggest misperceptions about Americans is that we all stuff our faces with fast food and pizza every day. This may be true for some people, but not the majority. I once read a report from a well-known blogger who wrote that gardens are common "only in American ghettos." Such characterization is very strange, because it's ordinary for Americans to grow fruits and vegetables in their yards, and not only in rural areas. This photo is taken from my sister's house, right in the middle of suburbia. Each year, she attempts to grow various fruits and vegetables during the summer in her tiny yard. Hidden behind these leaves is a fruit that most Russians know very well and consume on a regular basis...( what is it? )

Did you know the USA has no official language? Last week, I sat in an Arlington, Virginia Immigration Court with two of my teenage clients from El Salvador. The room was stuffed with illegals waiting for their first hearing before the Court. This is standard practice, where the Judge sits on the bench, calls one party after the other, and reads the Department of Homeland Security's charges against the illegal. Over 80% of the people in the tiny room had no attorney, and simply showed up because they were instructed to, without the ability to speak or understand any English. However, this is the USA, the country with no native tongue, so there is no cause for concern. :)

Interpreters are provided for everyone in the Courts. Immediately, the Judge explained to the entire crowd why they were there, the purpose of the proceeding, and then echoed the magic words that "no one will be deported today...on this day, only the charges against you will be read, and you must designate a country for removal in the event you are not granted legal status in the U.S. at your full hearing." Absolutely every word the Judge spoke was immediately translated into Spanish by a live Court interpreter. At every Court appearance, and even at full hearings, an Interpreter is provided for non-English speakers free of charge. Sometimes the Interpreter is arranged in advance, sometimes you hear urgent calls over the Court intercoms for a Chinese interpreter, an Arabic interpreter, even Vietnamese. The list of languages is endless...( Read more... )

Almost two years ago, I wrote a post with a question in the title "What is Love?" The post discussed a monumental Supreme Court decision in favor of gay rights, which granted Federal benefits to same-sex couples in States that recognized gay marriages. It was clear at the time that America's mentality on this issue had shifted dramatically in the last decade. Just moments ago, this was further confirmed when the U.S. Supreme Court issued one of the most anticipated decisions of this term. A monumental victory, holding that gay marriage will now be legal in EVERY U.S. State. The basic outcome of the decision is that States no longer have the authority to reserve marriage rights only to heterosexual couples.( about the victory for love )

What do foreigners think when they see images of the Confederate flag? Please let me know how you perceive this symbol, which is currently at the center of another heated debate in U.S. politics and policy. I'll write about the controversy later, but today I just want to understand how foreigners view this symbol. What does it represent - historical background, or some alternative meaning created by pop culture, music and movies?
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Thanks for your comments! :)

Why do people hate anything "different"? Alternative ways of thinking, divergent lifestyles or even a unique manner of dress - for the weak and close-minded, anything outside the norm is viewed as a threat to their way of life. When everyone is the same, a population is much easier to manage and control, but for me this is the kiss of death. An existence filled with boredom and monotony! When I rolled through Middle America in December, I was pleased to encounter many unique Americans in Kansas. For me, Kansas is a very strange State, which I'll write more about later, but today I want to tell you about one of the craziest people I've met in all of my travels.

There are two types of crazy in the world - good crazy and bad crazy. Ron Lessman is the former. His thinking is on a completely different level, or maybe even another planet. :) He's mostly known for being the creator of the "Truckhenge" project, a collection of old trucks stored as "artistic" pieces throughout his farmland. Almost all of the trucks have some type of political slogan or conspiracy theory sprayed on the frames. According to Ron, "Rome didn't kill Jesus...bureaucracy did!" Many, many spelling errors in Ron's paintings. For those practicing English, don't use him as an example! Let's take a closer look at the life of my favorite Kansas redneck.( Read more... )

At my school, there was no cafeteria. Each morning, my mom awoke early and packed lunch for my sister and me. It grew monotonous, eating the same sandwiches and fruit each day. Secretly, I dreamed of being like my friends who went to public schools, lining up each day to have some old woman with a net around her hair throw slop on my plate. In the U.S., there's constant debate over what school children are fed in the cafeteria. A lot of schools have removed snack and soda machines, and guidelines about nutritional values for school meals are always shifting. Over the weekend, I looked at the menu from my nephew's elementary school, listing the meal choices for each day in the month of May. Common choices include pizza, tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and pastas, all served with some type of vegetable and potatoes or rice. There's always one healthy option like grilled chicken or fish, and a wide-variety of fresh fruit is available for purchase. Yet only the most disciplined of children would pick such options when there are tastier and more indulgent choices placed in front of them each day. All of this creates a very sad picture on the white tray. I grew curious, and began to read about school lunches around the globe, and here's what I discovered!( Read more... )

I just learned today is the "day of the shirt" in Ukraine, where the traditional embroidered clothing is celebrated. Many children go to school wearing the festive outfit, and I too remember these shirts fondly from my time in Kyiv. I even bought one back for my nephew, Aidan, after I returned from my journey in August 2011. I began to think about whether America has a "traditional" clothing item like this, which symbolizes the nation? I think the answer is no, because we're an immigrant country, where so many different cultures and styles are blended and celebrated. I guess Americans are mostly known for jeans, cowboy hats, baseball caps, and hoodies. :) Or maybe anything emblazoned with our famous stars and stripes, or red, white and blue logo. What do you think? Now, about Russia...( Read more... )

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Page Summary

Native totem carvers in Alaska
Holiday porcelain, prayer and prose...highly spiritual Russia!
День Благодарения в США - как его отмечают в больших Американских семьях
What do Russian tourists eat in America?
Американский завтрак
Is the American dream still alive?
As Americans wipe their asses...
Нью-Йорк, 9/11
School Traditions
Invasion in Times Square!
Idiocy of U.S. Political Slogans
Greetings from Maine!
As Muslims and Mexicans Celebrate in the USA...
Gardens in American Suburbs
Америка - страна без языка
Америка любит геев! Теперь однополые браки разрешены по всей стране!
Что это: культурное наследие Юга или символ ненависти?
Мой любимый канзасский реднек!
Несъедобные обеды американских школьников
Ukraine Celebrates!

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Entries tagged with america

Native totem carvers in Alaska

Holiday porcelain, prayer and prose...highly spiritual Russia!

День Благодарения в США - как его отмечают в больших Американских семьях

What do Russian tourists eat in America?

Американский завтрак

Is the American dream still alive?

As Americans wipe their asses...

Нью-Йорк, 9/11

School Traditions

Invasion in Times Square!

Idiocy of U.S. Political Slogans

Greetings from Maine!

As Muslims and Mexicans Celebrate in the USA...

Gardens in American Suburbs

Америка - страна без языка

Америка любит геев! Теперь однополые браки разрешены по всей стране!

Что это: культурное наследие Юга или символ ненависти?

Мой любимый канзасский реднек!

Несъедобные обеды американских школьников

Ukraine Celebrates!