Disqus - Latest Comments for hickoryledge

Re: A Broom in Russia…

Dennis — Tue, 11 May 2010 08:25:23 -0000

Hi Kyle!! I only wished I had more time!!! All I do is work like a slave in America being a farmer. When I have more time, I have no money because I am not working. When I have more money, I have no time because I am working all the time. It is a vicious circle and everyone in America is competing against each other with a club in one hand!!! It is a jungle here in America!!!

Re: Russia Wonders About: America and Snow! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:38:50 -0000

Hi Kyle!! In January we had temperatures above freezing for an entire week in Wisconsin!!! Half the snow melted and I could actually see some bare ground. There is very little frost in the ground because snow came early in December before the ground froze. The groundhog promised spring would arrive 6 weeks early!!! The only good thing I can say about snow in Moscow is that snow saved Moscow from invading armies twice in history. Once when Napolean tried to invade Moscow, and once when Hitler tried to invade Moscow. Count your blessings Kyle!!! Without snow, Moscow maybe would have not survived all these years!!! Snow is a powerful weapon!!! And it is free!!!

Re: Russia is Having her Christmas - January 7th, 2010! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:24:20 -0000

Merry Christmas to the both of you "Kyle and Svet!!!

Re: Merry Christmas From Windows to Russia! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:53:50 -0000

Ho!! Ho!! Ho!! Kyle and Svet!!! I wish you a HAPPY Chrismas today!!! I know Russia celebrates Christmas in January, but today you can starting enjoying it already!!! It is far better to have two Christmas's, One American Christmas and one Russian Christmas and enjoy each other's traditions!!! Merry Christmas to the both of you from Dennis and Darrell!!!!

Re: It is Almost Christmas and Time is Erasing the Old Habits! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:28:38 -0000

Hi Kyle!! My Christmas always starts a week early in America, visiting my wife's relatives. On December 25, we have Christmas at home with my wife and children. On New Years Day we celebrate Christmas with my father and sisters. And when January 7 rolls around, I honor this day too. I hope to find some Russian friends in America, and celebrate Christmas for the 4th time!!! It is unfortunate that we Americans do not have the priviledge to take 10 - 12 days off from work during the Chrismas holidays!!! Only my children have Christmas vacation from their school!!! Believe me, we are always glad to see the children back in school after being home 10 days for Christmas vacation!!! The children become bored sitting in the house because of cold weather!!!

Re: UFO Above Moscow? (December 2009) | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:36:51 -0000

Dennis and Darrell have returned to Moscow in their experimental aircraft they built in their barn!!! Pretty neat!!! Hummmm???

Re: Last Night It Got Kinda Cold! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:45:45 -0000

And they make such a big stink about global warming??? Wisconsin has had one of the coldest summers in decades, and January weather has already arrived in December!!!

Re: Visa Run To Ukraine! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:03:51 -0000

Goodluck Kyle and your wife Svet on your trip to Kiev!!!! I am somewhat somewhat surprised you are returning so soon after your all your problems last time you visited Ukraine. Oh well, its like getting back on a horse after you have fallen off. Traveling with your wife should make this a more safe and pleasant visit to Kiev. You now have someone to look over your shoulder and watch your back!!!! Goodluck and I shall wait for your return to Moscow!!!

Re: Come to Russia - You May Not Want to Go Home! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:21:08 -0000

After returning home to the USA from Russia a few weeks ago, I can honestly say my feelings never changed about Russia. I have visited Russia four times since 2003, and each time I return to USA, I become more and more homesick for Russia. I suffer from withdrawl symptoms being away from Russia. I often go into depression for many weeks or months. The sudden change from Russian life to American life is very brutal to me physically and mentally. People in America often told me that I would experince culture shock when I arrived in Russia. The truth is simply the opposite!!! The real culture shock is coming back to America to the fast pace of life. In America it seems money, competition, and greed are the only things American people worry about. Americans are constantly worried about the kind of car they drive, the size of their house, where their children shall go attend college, and the size of their yearly income. I never felt this attitude or stiff competition in Russia. People in Russia don't worry from day to day about what they don't have, they simply live life!!! Each time I come to Russia, I pack only 2 bags of belongings, and I have every thing I could possibly need!!! I see ordinary Russia people every day who have very little and suddenly all the things I have accumulated in America doesn't seem that important to me anymore. I definitely know I could add an additional 20 years to my life if I would simply walk away from this stressful life in American!!! Russia is in my blood and I hope your readers do not think I am crazy!!! I left my heart and soul in Russia!!!

Re: Pickpocket: We All Think That It Will Never Happen To Us! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:21:19 -0000

Hi Kyle!! I cannot believe what happened to you!! Having your wallet stolen is certainly a gut wrenching experience especially when you are traveling in another country. When you are traveling there is always so much stuff to keep track of such as luggage, train tickets, cash, drivers license, passport, migration card, and other credit or debit cards. My biggest fear having something stolen was always riding on the train when sleeping. Often I cannot sleep on trains for this very reason!!! I also would be very lost without my mobile phone!!! I often describe exiting the metro like a herd of cattle being squeezed into a narrow chute. People funnel around the escalator like bees!!! I definitely shall learn from your experience and be more prepared the next time I travel abroad. I shall start making copies of all my important documents!!! Thank you for sharing your story with all your readers. We shall all learn from your unforunate experience.

Re: New Flat in Moscow Area in Russia! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:43:44 -0000

Congtaulations on your new home!!! I rememeber these vinyl doors found on Russian flats. Why are they covered in vinyl? Is is mainly for soundproofing from surrounding neighbors living in nearby flats? I also remember there is much security in entering these apartment complexes. First there is a locked front door outside the apartment complex. Many places now have a security code to unlock this first door. Then there is usually a locked door on each floor leading to your apartment. Finally when you reach your flat or room, you have one more locked door!!! Is all this security necessary to stop intruders from entering your home or simply to keep occupants from ever leaving their home??? As a farmer from Wisconsin, life is much more simpler. I have never locked my house in over 20 years!!! I have no idea where my front door keys are. I have never had to use them!!! My cars and truck sit outside unlocked with keys in the ignition!!! This probably would never happen in Moscow, am I right??? Dennis

Re: Trip To American Embassy in Moscow, Russia! | Windows to Russia!

Dennis — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:03:36 -0000

Hi Kyle!! Yes I definitely remember this place very much when I visited Moscow in 2003. I found my first experience visiting the American embassy very frightening!!! My Russian friends wanted some information concerning their visa application to America. I entered this building alone and walked down a long hallway with a Russian guard to an area where I was searched and pass through a metal detector. With all the security inside I really wonder if I was ever going to see daylight again and leave this place alive!!! After 30 minutes I was reunited with my Russian friends outside. I felt like a free man leaving prison!!! I did not find this place very pleasant, nobody smiled, and everybody inside had a very serious look on their face.