Russiapedia – Russia guide.

I admit I first got idea for my blog from my fiance. I mean, he gave me the wonderful book ''Watching the English'' by Kate Fox and I got immediately hooked on how gracefully the author managed to represent whole big nation at 414 pages or so.

Culture, behavior, likes and dislikes, and even little cute national quirks! Say that I was astonished, say nothing. But more importantly, when I turned last page the first question that came to my mind was: ‘’Did someone already write the same comprehensive, humorous and enlightening guide on the Russian?’’

Well, I am the type of a girl who believes in going and getting, so I went on-line and did some research and I had to sadly admit that NO, nobody yet. Yes, there are some well-established resources out there that give a really, really good info, but they are mostly focusing on current affairs or travel tips for those, visiting Russia.

However, everytime you try to find something which is ‘out of customary circle of covered matters’…For example, educating you on how successfully to interact with Russians daily, what their national identity and behavioral code is, where their traditions and customs come from, why they do this or that, and if is Russian language really THAT complicated or this is another myth, and many more little (but critical for understanding this unique nation) details, you're frequently left without any clear directions. Or if you get some valuable insight, it is as a rule pretty sparse.

And seriously, what do you (yes, YOU!) know about this terra incognita? OK, let me guess: a) vodka; b) revolution and communism; c) Siberian frost; d) beautiful women. Oh and perhaps lately, also Chelsea Football Club – owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Not that much, huh? And certainly far from much in order to give you a COMPLETE picture.

So after much pondering over all this, I eventually came up with idea of informal guide to Russia and Russians. You see, there are 142 millions of us and we’ve got to have at least one volunteer blogger-spokesman LOL

I am going to discuss here everything uniquely Russian. Everything that makes this biggest, half-European, half-Asian, and enigmatic country truly GREAT: its culture, art, geography, language, traditions, nature, history and of course – its people.

And wait! I don’t promise you to be fully unbiased here, okay? ;-) After all, I am a Russian girl and via this blog I indulge my passion for my motherland, so I can be occasionally carried away with excessive enthusiasm. Feel free to step in and give your feedback.

Have you ever heard the saying ‘’no one makes it alone’’? I’d love you to ask me any questions to help determine what I should write about first, so we make it together the real Guide to National Gems, sort of Russia-pedia, Russia wiki, you know.

WELCOME!