Apr 4, 2007

Reading Up On Russia

Sometimes it doesn't work out: I know a long-planned trip is looming, and I really want to get to the reading stack next to my bed to find out more about the place I'm headed for. But life just gets in the way.

Don't do the same as me. If you're planning a trip to Russia soon, like so many of our readers, start reading up about this great country now. Or even if you just think you'd like to go there (or anywhere else in Eastern Europe) "one day", start reading. And not just travel guides telling you which church to visit or which restaurant to eat in: I heartily recommend learning about the culture and people of the region. I've always tried to do this before I travel (with varying degrees of success), but I know when I do, I always have so many more questions and conversation topics when I'm speaking with guides, hotel staff or homestay hosts, and random people I meet on trains or in queues.

This week I have a great recommendation for learning about Russia: try the Teach Yourself guide to World Cultures: Russia. It's not too academic or heavy, but it's not too lightweight either, and gives a lot of interesting facts and ideas about Russia and Russians.