Welcome Home

So we returned to the States direct 11 hr flight via United, but all with smiles, different thoughts and experiences from the adventure we just had. I can honestly say that although as trying at times traveling with a group of 30 may be, the group was what made the trip so worthwhile. The cohort was fantastic and I don't think I don't have at least one unforgettable memory with each and every individual on the trip.

The cultural and educational experience was by far worth the trek, and lucky for us we did not get stuck in an airport during a strike like the cohort before us. From the Embassy visits, to Coke in Finland, to Corruption International in Moscow the lessons were many. But I think as a group the "take aways" we learned from each other and our experiences abroad were just as fruitful. I know I and the group was very thankful to both Jessica and Dr. J for all of the hard work done to put together the trip.

I hope that we put together some great networking opportunities as well as other events to keep the Cohort engaged and interactive with each other! I hope everyone made it home safely in their travels.

Take Aways:

The Russians are nice and do like Americans...even if they never, ever smile : )

If you get paranoid don't go to Russia, people follow you constantly and everywhere.

Bring alot of money.

On a Saturday Night if you wear a suit with 4 other guys and look like the Reservoir Dogs
1) cabs will not stop for you
2) people at the bar assume you are connected
3) if you do finally get a Gypsy Cab, make sure you do not have to remove the
front seat to fit your friend Eric inside

The Last Day

Our final Sunday we had a free day to get out and check out more of the sights and sounds, doing some touring on our own. Afterward we all got to dinner for a farewell to Russia meal. It was very traditional potato and meat broth/soup. Afterward we got a chance to tour the museum that our restaurant was part of. There were some amazingly large sculptures just look at the size! All in All it was a fantastic trip and an interesting journey, but not at all CHEAP to say the least.

McDonaldsky

McDonald's...the largest, most profitable one in the world. Nope still tastes like crap. But when in Russia do as the Russians

Romeo and Juliet

We had the brilliant opportunity to take in the Russian Ballet and and then some of the nightlife. Romeo and Juliet was bar none to any Boston Nutcracker you may have seen. We went from there to the Ritz( Hi Mom!, this is a view of Red Square from the roof) and from there out on the town.

Moscow in a Snapshot

So we ran a tour throughout the massive city of Moscow all day long. This is like trying to take in a Red Sox game, Lakers game and surf the Hawaiin pipeline all in one afternoon (Kids.... St Basil's, Pushkin Square, Kremlin). Alot of great sites, bring your WALLET (Without a Gypsy stealing it) cause everything costs money...even breathing. I wore a camouflage hat so that the red army would not see me and I could blend in the surroundings. Seriously though the city is so large and so bustling it would take ages to really comprehend all the sites and sounds.

Second Round of Meetings

Так второй круг встреч был интересен….показалось, что была развращение темой интереса. Хлынитесь которое показалось бы просто, котор дали тем первое собрание было с International транспаранта, тем ме менее делать дело в Россия настолько не прозрачно. Заметьте к собственной личности….don' t раскрывает дело в Россия если вы не соединены, имеет много деньги или любит водочка.

Oh yeah, forgot you don't know Russian...

So the second round of meetings was interesting....corruption seemed to be the topic of interest. Well that would seem simple given that the first meeting was with Transparency International, however doing business in Russia is not so transparent. Note to self....don't open a business in Russia unless you are connected, have alot of money or ....for the rest see Russian dictionary.

Next we stepped into Luxoft, a distributor of software and financial services. I'm not sure if we knew where their office was --or our bus driver didn't know where their office was....either way a 2 hour bus ride later we made it. Good for a nap...the company was very interesting and they definitely have a hold on the Eastern Block(or whats left of it).