Don't know why I am doing this. But I wanted to share with you all a conversation I just had.
I know I may piss some people off with my chatter and off topic comments sometimes. But it is out of frustration over how things are in the world. Especillay the US of A.
My lady from Russia says that her knowledge of American history is limited and mentions a classic novel as a source of information. That prompted our conversation into the civil war, the war for independance, "The British are coming..." And how the white man totally screwed over the Native Americans. To think I am as excited as a kid at Christmas time looking forward to visiting Gettysburg, Philadelphia and the capital - well not so much the capital - to be able to share history and educate a person on American history.
And that she is also excited about the idea is incredibly satisfying to me.
That we agree on how greed is the root of all evil and that religion is the base for most of the conflicts now going on... it is surely good to know that we are on the same page. But that was already known.
To be able to have a two hour conversation about history with a lady from another land is an uplifting experience. And she is hip to learn how to fly fish too. As well as hike the Appalachian Trail.
I hope that all of you find someone who floats your boat in all aspects of life. For me, it is just a matter of time that it will be no more skype and phone conversations.
johnnycash, thanks for your wish of good luck.
Colin -- I hope you are not ever hurt again.
The rest of you good luck and thanks. Julian
I talked to my girl today about mcdonalds, does this mean she loves me. I am joking. Good luck Julian. It is good to have an intelectual conversation. Good on you. There is more to life than the ps3 and fast cars.
hmmm...so white people with religous values are evil...hmmm....is there a lot of non-white atheiest cultures you admire? try living there for a few months.
having lived in a fsu country for some time, i can say one thing.
Soon I will have plenty of conversations about America with my Russian fiancee ... but first I need to find her a good English course to make sure that she understands me when we have such conversations :)
I am not an American centric person. I have a more global view, so I prefer to talk about countries and not just one country ;)
Martin: Canada is another state of the USA, isn't it? Although I heard that in Canada they cannot pass new laws unless the Queen (Elizabeth) approves them first ... how ironic!
I've been wanting to ask someone this - what's the average spiritual condition/outlook of Ukrainians? I always see that is says either 'Christian' or 'Orthodox' on everybody's profile, but the women I've talked to seem to be as 'Christian' as the majority of, say, the UK population (i.e., they belong to a church, they just never go)
I'll take a swipe at this, though my knowledge is small...
Most people in the Russian-speaking world seem to identify themselves as either atheist, or Orthodox. Primarily from Russia's history, there are significant populations of Muslims in some regions. Most non-Orthodox Christians seem to belong to a few denominations such as Ukrainian Catholic, Roman Catholic, Baptist, etc. Again for historical reasons, Jews now a very small minority.
As far as I can tell, weekly attendance at church is not very common.
To Westerners like me (as I child, I attended Protestant services in the U.S.), probably the most surprising thing about Orthodox services is that they are so non-participatory. To my knowledge, there is usually no sermon, lesson, classes, etc. The clergy perform their rituals (some of which are even inside an enclosure within the church, where attendees cannot see!), and the people at the service may mill around, talk among themselves, etc.
My impression (I hope people who know more will correct or add to this), is that many in the Russian-speaking world have a Christian identity comparable to that of the (non-observant) majority of Jews in America: it is more a matter of tradition, cultural identity, a way of thinking about the world, and the basis of some holiday rituals -- with little connection to religious practice.
I didn't even expect a response to this...
She is agnostic. But open to ideas. However, we both agree that organized religion is a waste of spitutal energy. When you discuss that getting married in Yosemite National Park will be a mind blowing experience, you cannot argue that she is a spiritual woman. Yellowstone and The Grand Canyon are on the short list of places to tie the spiritual knot so to speak. However in Montana you need a special permit and blood test just weeks before the actual ceremony will take place. So Yellowstone is losing points. But it will be great place to spend a few weeks during our "honeymoon tour".
I am not a centrist. I believe that the world is a cool place. Especially Europe. We have already discussed visiting France, Spain and Italy. And, by the way, we discuss world as well. I have been looking into trip to Ireland for several years -- bicycle trip for three weeks. And yes, I suppose I will visit England some time. Anyone know where I can fish?
My next major trip will probably be to NZ to fly fish for big browns. With my lady by my side.
In the mean time, we will just live a simple life of planting a garden and enjoying the many pleasures of rural America. I kid you not, I have hit the jackpot in finding an exceptional woman.
I posted this because I grew tired of all that has been going on in other threads. And I claim no innocence myself.
Martin -- good comeback to fsu lover ---
And that a Ukraine lady wished a happy 4th of July to a Brit... it was my point somwhwere else.
I hope to find a good woman before she is ruined by the ills of the world. The fact that a lady wished a 4th of July wish -- kind of ironic isn't it??? -- to a Brit proves that they are well meaning yet still not knwoledgeable of the world. Most have been isolated for years -- that is why we are searching there in the first place. You cannot fault someone for ignorance of history when for most of their lives they have been shut down and isolated. As I said before, I was hoping to find one before the are all ruined by western influences. And that does not necessarily mean they don't have world knowledge. It means that they are still pure in spirit and desire. For a country/region with a history of thousands of years, for someone from there to still not know what has been going on in the world for the past 100 years is amazing. And it has nothing to do with intelligence or lack of desire for knowledge for most of them. It is what it is. Be thankful and also feel blessed that you have an opportunity to meet someone who is still not poisoned by western society. Although it is evident that many are and use it to their advantage. Think outside the box for a minute. Find a true and genuine lady who is not on the make for cash. They are there I assure you. Think of your real reason to be here in the first place. If it is to truly find a good woman it will be done. If it is thinking you can have a hot young thing to show off and make you feel good about yourself... It would be much cheaper to go to the Mustang Ranch every week for the next ten years. Cause that is all you are doing anyway.
Martin: Just because I did not use the II you think that I am stupid and I do not know what I am talking about. Elizabeth is alive and kicking. She is the mother of Charles and the Grandmother of William and Harry. Using II is just a formality to differentiate them. I knew who I was writing about. You are the one who wants to look like a smart British, but ... fill in the blank.
Thanks for that. I suspected something along those lines, however I didn't think the Orthodox services would be so ritualistic. I am educated - thank you :)
Yes the Queen can if she wanted throw out the government and enforce military rule in Britain. Some people here would welcome it. The set up is parliament which is the political home of Britain, this is the political representation of the King or Queen of the country. There are several 100 polititians from the elected political parties who sit in parliament like a bunch of muppets they tax everything drink themselves horizontal and give themselves huge payouts by employing their family to work in their office as cleaners etc. They also take our country into a war in the east that the people was against for the sake of saving face with the USA. The Queen is the sovereign of the commonwealth which is the remnants of the British empire. Howether once countries like Canada and Australia gain independance the commonwealth is pretty much finnished. The royalty in our country have mostly a ceromonial role and they live in a world that is a few centuries away from the world that we live in today.
Its been my experience that many FSU ladies (especially those in Ukraine) take othodoxic mysticism to an incredible level. Few have any idea as to what the Bible says (not that I happen to be much of a thumper myself) but few would ever DARE enter a place of wordjip without wearing at least a makeshift head-covering. Touching holy caskets and places of burial seem to be a big things as well. And normally frugal ladies will spend any amount of their own money to buy religious icons, an amulet said to contain holy ground or water for instance, or a tiny silver plated icon of whatever saint is represented at whatever place.
Religion seems to be much more about having the right icon, or carrying the right holy card around in a purse, than anything having to do with knowledge of scripture or morals.
Also astrology, curses, hexes and potions seem to be a big thing and melded with orthodoxical belief.
Some of you might recall that for a time I was involved with two ladies. Well, one of them is aboslutely convinced that I went back to the other due to some sort of magical hex she put on me. She said she was advised of this by two friends who know about these things and she believes that without my knowledge a spell was likely cast on me and that it probably involved menstral blood in some way or another (!?!?!?!) (THAT was an eyebrow raiser.)
Such is the belief in magic and mystism very much entwined with religion.
You should have seen the reaction when I tried (did) to take photographs inside one of buildings at the lavre. One of the monks or whatever they call themselves was not happy. They were ready to escort me out of there. And to see these women kissing coffins and going through the whole ritual in the caves was mind blowing.
Maybe some mystical curse was put on me and I "lost" my camera that contained all of those photos ??????
bowhunter, I have dowloaded photos. When I have more time I will send them out. Not great quality but pretty neat stuff. All of the quality pics I took vanished.
When I toured the Lavre my lady insisted that we get an English speaking tour guide so that I would understand. I smiled each time the tour guide told us that Christ was represented by a pigeon (not a white dove of peace or anything - just a pigeon) and that everytime we see a pigeon we should think of him.
I had no idea that all those statues in the park are simply receiving Christ like blessings in the form of white splotches.