Hi! My name is Valery. I am from Russia. I have graduated from Moscow State University, philological faculty, and I know English. It has always been very interesting for me to know how women abroad live: what makes them feel pleased and happy, and what makes them sad and upset.
For rather a long time we had lived ”behind the Iron Curtain” and knew absolutely nothing about each other. Nowadays the curtain has been raised, so we can travel, watch news, different shows, but we still know very little about each other. However, it seems to me, that if we knew about each other more, we could understand, respect and love each other better, so we could live more peacefully… I think I should get started with myself. And later on I’ll tell you about other Russian women: business-ladies and housewives, rich and not so well-financially-secured, married, split up and divorced. Of course, we are all very different, but we have something in common as well. I’d be very glad, if you would send me your questions. It would be easier for me to tell if I know for sure what exactly you are interested in. Perhaps, you could join me and send stories about yourself. Please, do! It would be great!..

I will tell you about Russian women: teachers, doctors, sellers, housewives. I will tell you what they eat, what clothes wear, what salaries receive, what they plant in summer in their summer residence and of what they dream.

Русско-английский cловарь по деловой переписке

1) Господи, это опять Вы… - Thank you very much for your email.
2) Если до завтра не предоставите документы, пеняйте на себя. Тут вам не детский сад. – We will do our best to proceed with your request, however for the best result the documents should reach us not later than tomorrow.
3) Вы читать умеете? – You can find this information below.
4) Сколько можно напоминать! – Kind reminder
5) Неужели так сложно подписать документ там, где нужно! – Please, sign in the place marked with yellow sticker

While France and the other Europe is facing a bikini-top backlash and new healthy priorities, Bulgaria is still full of topless girls and women, getting tan on the sandy beaches. What is this – a new wave of Bulgarian feminist struggle or a belated fashion?

The French are credited with many great inventions, such as the bicycle, pasteurization, the barometer and, more recently, the 36-hour work week, but one cultural contribution that rarely makes it into the history books is sunbathing au naturel.
Of course, the French were not the first people to frolic on the beach in a state of semi-undress--the Polynesians after all have been doing it for millennia. But what the French did was popularize it, to make it, as they make so many things, chic.
This laissez-faire attitude towards topless tanning is largely due to French actress Brigitte Bardot, who came to embody (pun intended) the sexy, laid-back spirit of Saint-Tropez on France's Cote d'Azur. In 1952, a two-piece bathing suit that would be considered modest by today's standards was then seen as being controversial, but Bardot and other young starlets such as Ursula Andress would pose for photographers at Cannes wearing the tiniest bikinis imaginable.
By the 1960s, it was common to see starlets tanning topless on the beaches and yachts in and around the Riviera. Today, even though many people still prefer to keep their suits in place, practically every beach along Europe's long Mediterranean coastline is clothing-optional.
With a few exceptions, one place where bikini tops remains firmly in place is the U.S.

American beaches have a tradition of keeping their visitors' best parts covered in skimpy spandex. But are usually clothing-optional European sand-and-surf hot spots following suit by actually wearing swimsuits?
REGULARS on the beaches in St. Tropez have noticed fewer naked breasts this summer than ever before. It looks like going topless has gone out of fashion . Men are whining that everywhere you turn there are no more bare boobs on the beach. This is stunning news considering that topless sunbathing on public beaches got its start at La Voile Rouge beach club in St. Tropez some 40 years ago. Is it because of threats of skin cancer? Or is Europe turning as conservative as the United States?

in the hallway...

from Sam...

Virsaviya, I can hear her breath in the long hallway, nearly silent, only a faint echo of the busy ballroom in the distance. Many people enjoying themselves, I followed her here in this dimly lit corridor. Playfully she looked backward, her bare back fading in the darkness of the hallway corner. Briefly the end of her dress fluttered a reflection of light before it was engulfed in darkness.

Quickly I walked after her, into the dark hall. Her breathing louder now, full of excited pleasure. Suddenly as the light left my eyes, her arms wrapped around me. A bit startled I was but quickly I relax when I feel the warmth of her soft hands just under my ears. Her body presses against mine, without thinking my arms take hold of her and pull her tightly, closer against me. I feel her heart beating in her chest, surely she feels mine.

Five centuries subjugated to Ottoman rule and, more recently, four decades locked very firmly behind the Iron Curtain turned Bulgaria into a distant, enigmatic country in the eyes of much of the rest of the world. Images of cheap wine downed at student house parties, budget ski holidays and umbrella-wielding Cold War assassins were once among the popular stereotypes, but Bulgaria today is a vastly different country from what it was even 10 years ago.

A fully paid-up member of NATO and (since 2007) the EU, Bulgaria has the feel of a nation at a very important crossroads. Massive foreign investment has created a construction boom, not just around the larger beach and mountain tourist resorts, but in the cities, too. More tourists than ever are discovering this country and an ever-rising number of foreigners are investing in property here.

Russians also love Bulgaria, and Bulgaria has always loved Russians too. In the center of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, there is a monument to the Russian Tsar Liberator Alexander II. It was erected in honour of Russian Emperor Alexander II who liberated Bulgaria of Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. There are over 400 other monuments to Russians in Bulgaria.

The Russian appetite for foreign real estate is still in its infancy, particularly compared to the overseas buying frenzy among the British. Yet there is every sign that Russian buyers are on the move, aided by a flourishing domestic economy and an ever-widening choice of overseas bargains.
Russians started to buy real estate abroad about a decade ago, beginning in Spain and Cyprus. About five years ago, somewhat tentatively at first, they gravitated towards Bulgaria. Over the few years, however, Bulgaria has been one of three leading target countries for Russians.

Russians are drawn to Bulgaria by its climate and the closeness of the two cultures. Both countries are Slavonic and Orthodox with a history, culture and language similar to Russia's. So when Russians come to Bulgaria they feel at home. They also prefer Bulgaria to potential rivals - such as Poland or Serbia - because of its superior climate and relatively lower prices.

From the 28 of February until 6 March this year Russians celebrate their biggest event of the year - Masleniza! So what is Masleniza? You can find the answer in the novels of Lev Tolstoy or in the movie 'The Barber of Siberia' directed by the famous Russian director Nikita Michalkov. If you think that Russians only drink vodka, eat pancakes and stroll around Moscow without destination during this 'butter' week, you are mistaken. Masleniza is the Russian version of the Carnival with an ancient history. Masleniza was the feast of spring, a way to say good bye to the winter and the darkness.

For one week Moscow turns into one of the biggest Carnival metropolis. On Saturday a thousand of tourists participate in the big Masleniza Parade that starts from Red Place and proceeds towards the city center. The program is secret and Russians start preparing the festival one year in advance and it always turns out into something fabulous.

Ummm… good! – I pondered for a little. – but! Can I go this? – I tried to use as few words as possible, using pigeon English, and showing all my artistic power. I pointed at myself again, then stretched my arm forward, as if I wanted to reach the hotel tower with my hand.
They nodded approvingly again, and added:
- No!
- But why? – I kept going. – I can see the road there!
The woman looked at her man helplessly.
- Danger! – he came to assistance with his broad Thai smile. – Dock! Dock! Mush-mush!
- Oh, thank you! Thank you very much! – my sister suddenly started speaking English.
- Hey, you speak English? – I was quite surprised. - Never known. What’s that you are thanking them for? Did you really get them?
- Sure! – my sister giggled. – let’s go!
I followed her silently.

pictures and...

imagination

I wonder if it is even possible to know someone like you, closer than this virtual contraption...
to breathe in the same air.

A fantasy to get caught in your eyes is always ignited, I can look in your eyes in a picture...
but how would they be live?

Like a show, a theater of beauty and it is only you in front of me.

Just a smile, and my concert of emotions continues nonstop!

(from S)