Winston Churchill
There is so much of everything to Russia that it is a country that overwhelms in many ways. As our guides do their best to explain the land, the history, the politics and the cultures of Russia I find myself swamped with information that is difficult to collate in a reasonable mental format.
It has over 1000 years of history.
The land encompasses many cultures and religions.
It covers nine time zones.
It has been led by emperors and empresses, czars, dictators, presidents and I'm not sure what all....
Over the centuries it has been overrun by Mongols, Poles, Swedes and countless others.
In turn, it has overrun its neighbors.
Its borders have expanded and contracted during wars and conquests.
Religions have flourished and been repressed.
Many of it's past leaders have not died of "natural causes."
In my lifetime it has been the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the USSR, and a stand alone Republic of Russia surrounded by former republics.
I can only admire the patience or the guides as they try to educate me about their land and people. It is not an easy task. But it is a most interesting country and people.
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