Inside The Travel

If you are planning a trip to Russia, you need to make an effort to prepare yourself. Practicing drinking vodka is a good start, but you will need to know some basic Russian terms.

Russia is a unique and amazing country. Having lived there for a year, I can tell you it is like nothing you will experience in Europe or anywhere else. The culture is entirely different as is the language. The language, in particular, is the first hurdle you will face.

The Russian language is based on the Cyrillic Alphabet. From the sound of individual letters to their combined essence, everything is different than what you are used to. If you try to wing it, you are going to be in for big trouble. To help you out, here are some basic words and phrases you should know.

The first phrase I mastered while in Russia was “ya ne gavaru puruski.” This phonetic mess can be translated to “I don’t speak Russian.” Trust me, you should learn this. I became so good at ripping it off that many people thought I actually spoke Russian, but was just being a jerk!

“Privyet” is probably a familiar word. It means hello or hi and is common greeting. The phrase is pronounced easy at the beginning and hard at the end - privYET. That being said, I mumble constantly and nobody seemed to object to just about any pronunciation.

“Tak” is a word used to buy time or give the impression you are thinking deeply. A Russian will often pause and say taktaktak and then respond. It is the equivalent of hmmm in the English language. You can use it to sound intellectual or during negotiations over a purchase.

“Nuzhnik” is one of those important phrases. It is an informal term used when trying to find a toilet. Keep in mind this is very informal, as in “where is the can?” I don’t know why, but it just stuck in my mind.

Obviously, there are a few zillion different phrases of Russian you will need at some point in your trip. At least now you can you say, “Hi. I don’t speak RussianhmmmI need to find the can!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals. Visit us to read more internet travel articles.

Share This

When you are going on a trip to get away from it all and you have a younger child you need to look at it from their point of view.

Often preschool age children won’t remember a lot about the vacation as they get older, and that is okay they live in the moment and we want to make those moments as happy as possible.

A couple years back I took my daughter on a trip to the mountains, we took in a lot of fun things and she had a great time. We even caught a live production of Dora the Explorer which I thought would be the highlight of the trip. Don’t get me wrong she loved it and talked about it for quite awhile.

She also enjoyed climbing in the mountains and seeing a waterfall, the chipmunks we saw, the zoo, and the tram we took up the mountain. We also played lots of car games so even the riding in the vehicle part of the trip was pleasant.

She loves to look at pictures from our vacation and talk about all the fun, but she said we don’t have pictures of the “funnest” parts of the trip. I took a look at all the pictures and thought what didn’t we get pictures of, I couldn’t remember anything special we had done that I didn’t have documented on film.

When I asked her what the best part was she said swimming in the pool with me, and staying in the hotel room watching television and reading books.

That got me thinking, we go swim frequently, we watch T.V., and we read a lot of books all the time, so what was so special about doing it on vacation.

I think it was several days of undivided attention, there were no phones or computers or meetings or chores to interrupt our fun. We just got to spend a ton of time together without anyone competing for my attention.

Don’t get me wrong, we still take in the fun sightseeing attractions when we are on a trip but I make sure we take time to spend a day or afternoon at the pool as well. Never do we try to pack so much fun in that it isn’t fun.

We also try to plan an overnight trip or two to a fairly close town that has a pool. We just go and relax, swim and spend time together. This is especially fun in the winter when we go to a hotel with an indoor pool.

So remember when planning your next getaway, it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to create lifelong memories your child will appreciate as they grow up.

Robin Reckard, co-founder of Jorbins.com Lifestyle Magazine, keeps busy producing, writing, and editing for the magazine as well as raising and enjoying her six year old daughter.

Also visit Jorbins Travel and Vacation and Travel Discussions for more great travel information.

Copyright 2006, Jorbins Inc. - Reprints of this article can be made as long as the article is in it’s entirety, unchanged, and the resource box with links and urls remain unchanged.

Share This

Create your own Arizona day trip experience!

Whether you wish to plan a trip to see nature and wildlife, learn about the history of the southwest or just want to get away from it all Arizona has a variety of places to see and things to do that will interest any recreational adventurer.

Day trips make a refreshing break from the chaos of the daily routine. They can also be cheap, since many of the areas are distant from the city.

Arizona features a surprising range of terrain that includes desert, grassy lowlands and vegetated mountain regions. The climate found across the state also shows much variety. And you don’t have to travel far to appreciate this assortment of scenery. In the summer you can take a break in the cool, nearby hills, while the lower lying areas are more popular in the winter months.

Arivaca is in Southern Arizona. The community is 56 miles southwest of Tucson on Interstate 19 approximately 11 miles from the Mexico border.

Father Kino was one of the first Europeans to visit this region. He visited the Pima Indians in 1695. In 1833, the Mexican government granted Tomas and Ignacio Ortiz. They soon gained ownership where the brothers built the Aribac Ranch and raised cattle and horses.

In 1856, the Ortiz brothers sold the land to the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company and the ranch soon became an active mining community. But when the mines closed the area was largely abandoned.

Charles Poston acquired the property in 1870 then transferred his rights to the Arivaca Land and Cattle Company. The U.S. Government did not recognize the title so the land was declared public property.

Today, Arivaca is the home of about eight cattle ranches. The region is ideal for cattle grazing and orchards. The town has a community center, two tennis courts, two softball fields and a library.

The area’s rural character makes it perfect for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities. There is some vegetation, but also a lot of desert. The area is home to many species of birds, including hawks, ducks, songbirds and the strikingly beautiful “fully red” male Summer Tanager

Arivaca Lake is a 90-acre well-stocked lakes maintained by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is a quiet and peaceful place to visit but does require a bit of hiking to find.

The lake is secluded and is ideal for bird watching and lakeside walks. Lucky anglers will find the lake stocked with large-mouthed bass, bluegill and catfish.
The history of the region is whispered from the thresholds of the many ghost towns that mark the settlement of earlier travelers
Plenty of ghost towns

The Tumacacori National Monument mission and Tumacacori National Monument are places of important historical significance.

The southwestern climate features mild winters and scorching summers; but this climate is well suited for the camping and hiking so popular to visitors.

See which features of this community appeal to you the most.

History, nature, and memorable experiences are all a part of what Arizona offers those who live, work, and visit. So consider the things this area has to offer the next time you take off to discover Arizona

R. Steven Thomas Yacono is a legal scholar, educator and writer who has traveled extensively over the course past decade. From Beijing to Barstow and Xiamen to Sedona, his journeys have provided a wealth of experiences about fascinating people and places to share with interested readers. Comments and ideas are welcomed. Please direct correspondence to R. Steven Thomas Yacono at aztreking@hotmail.com.

Share This