We continue to talk to foreigners, who visited Novosibirsk, about their life in this city. Markus Trapp and Stefan Rybkowski took part in a Russian-German bloggers meeting called sib_STANCIJA this march.

Photos by Maya Shelkovnikova.

Stefan Rybkowski: «Novosibirsk looks like Eastern Germany»

— Did you know anything about Novosibirsk before you came here? What were your expectations?

— As soon as I knew I would go to Novosibirsk I checked the Wikipedia entry and the weather. I was shocked how could it normally is there (although it’s Siberia). But in march, when I arrived it was only -10 degrees and I could easily handle the temperature.

In terms of expections I thought that Siberia, especially Novosibirsk, was more like a third-world country, but it is pretty modern and it’s people are very progressive (so are the prices). Unfortunately, a lot of people didn’t speak English which surprised be to be honest.

— Can you compare Novosibirsk to any other cities around the world you have ever been to?

— That’s a difficult question. To be quite honest with you: Eastern Germany. Compared to the region I live the East of Germany is pretty poor and especially the architecture — if you can call it that — is similar to the one in Novosibirsk (I am particularly talking about the Eastern German cities I know, not all of them are ugly, Dresden for example is pure eye candy).

All the buildings made with precast concrete slabs aren’t that beautiful. However, Novosibirsk has some promising projects (e.g. hotels, company buildings) as far as I could see during the city tour.

— What frustrated you most about being here?

— Well, if at all anything frustrated me than the thing with the language. At the hotel some people wanted to talk with us but we didn’t speak Russian and they didn’t speak German or English.

— And what made you glad?

— Oh, there are too many things that made me happy. First of all the people of Novosibirsk. Much more friendly and likeable than the people at the airports and in Moscow. I also liked the weather — at least to a certain degree, because I prefer winter to summer. And, of course, the fact that I had the honor the be part of sib_STANCIJA and the blogger meeting.

— Did you took anything from Novosibirsk as a souvenir?

— No, not really. Some empty bottles of drinks we don’t have in Germany (or at least not in this specific shape or package). If a souvenir can also be something non-material than I would say a lot of new friends, a lot of experience and knowledge of Russia and especially Siberia.

Markus Trapp: «Novosibirsk is like Chihuahua»

— Did you know anything about Novosibirsk before you came here? What were your expectations?

— I have to admit, that I knew very little about Novosibirsk before coming to that place. Sure, I knew that it is one of Russias greatest cities, that it is the capital of Siberia and that it is an important station of the Transsibirian Railway. I expected to know a city in a very, very cold region and I suspected, that the people living there couldt also be «cold», in a matter of personally distant or something like that.

— Can you compare Novosibirsk to any other cities around the world you have ever been to?

— It would be natural for a German, who got to know an other russian city, I mean Moskow, to compare Novosibirsk to the capital of Russia, but I just spent two days there, so it’s difficult to compare.

Maybe I can compare it with a city of the other side of the world, with Chihuahua, a reginal capital in the north of Mexico, where I lived for one year during my studies (of Hispanic Literature). Chihuahua has one million of habitants and is also a city very far away from the national capital of Mexico. And the people there also suffer extreme temperatures, but the other way around; there is always very hot in Chihuahua, sometimes 40 degress or more. But the people always are adapting to the climatic situations and they learn to liv ewith it. I think, thats something that peolpe in Novosbirsk and Chihuahua have in common.

— What frustrated you most about being here?

— Not to speak your language. I wish I knew some russian, to make better conversations with the people I met. I’m very interested in what other people are thinking. I like to exchange experiences, impressions. For that, it’s necessary to speak the language of the peope you’re interested in. English was our compromise to be able to talk to each other, but as you can notice in this answers, my English is very poor. And my Russian — and that’s a pity — is non-existant.

— And what made you glad?

— To learn that my expectations didn’t come true. I knew very friendly, openly, interested people, who very great hosts. I was glad too realize, that we have a lot in common, even living so far from each other. And in our conversation about, the meaning of the internet, especially the blogging has for us, we couldt realize, that there are more things, that we have in common, than the few differencies, we knew.

— Did you took anything from Novosibirsk as a souvenir?

— A cup with a picture of the beautiful Opera theatre that we received as a present on our first day in the city. When I drink coffee from it, I remeber that wonderful five days I spent there, and especially I think of the night, when we saw the «Romeo and Juliet» movie with the live-companion of the simphonic orchestra.

Sounds cheesy, but that’s what souvenirs are for: to remember a place, where you have been. And I like to remember that wonderful city and even more that beautiful and friendly peolpe I knew in that short period of time.

«We live in Novosibirsk». Every day that phrase can deliver almost 1.5 million. Among them are foreigners, who lives in the city becomes a real challenge. They come here to work, learn and observe the solar eclipse. If they want to stay here forever? Hardly. But each of them, we believe, is trying to get some pleasure from being here.

metkere.com discussed with the three foreigners their lives in the city.

Scott Richardson

— What is the purpose of your visit to Novosibirsk? What do you do here?

— I am an American lawyer from Florida teaching a two-week course on criminal law and procedure at Novosibirsk State University. It is in association with the Center for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria. CILS places lawyers in educational institutions in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, who volunteer their time to teach courses in many areas of the law.

— Did you know anything about Novosibirsk before coming here? What were your expectations?

— I read as much as I could find online and in books. I knew that the city is the third largest in Russia, and that it played a significant role in the building of the Trans-Siberian Railway. In addition, because the University is in Akademgorodok, I learned about the development of this center of intellectual and research activity.

— Can you compare Novosibirsk to any other cities of the world you have ever been to?

— Most of my time has been spent in Akademgorodok. It is in a very pretty setting, surrounded by forests. I cannot compare it to any place I have ever been to. I went to Novosibirsk last Friday evening. The Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the most beautiful of its kind. Novosibirsk itself had the feel of many modern cities, with many restaurants, nightclubs and retail stores.

— What you are most lacking here?

— Other than my wife? I guess it is the immediate access to the internet, because at home, it is so easy to get online. Here, it took quite an effort to get it working consistently in my flat.

— What frustrates you most about living here?

— My inability to speak the Russian language. I tried before coming here, but it was too difficult and time consuming. That is my fault. When I go to a store or a restaurant, I am frustrated by my inability to make myself understood. But that is not the fault of the very friendly and gracious people here, who are very patient with me!

— And what makes you glad?

— I am very gratified that the Russian students and professors I have met are genuinely interested in academic cooperation and the exchange of ideas. We all want to live in a world where we understand each other, and the key to understanding is communication. As long as we continue to communicate in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, the citizens of our two countries will always see the path to a better world.

— If you have a chance to take anything from Novosibirsk as a souvenir, what it would be?

— I am happy to take the memories of a truly beautiful place, and the friendship of the people I have met.

Bruno

— What is the purpose of your visit to Novosibirsk? What do you do here?

— Well, I am here for more than a visit. I arrived in October 2007 and plan to stay for at least another 2 years. I am engineer, working as a project manager in a company providing services for the oil industry. I mean that’s what I do professionally. Beside that, in my free time, I try to use the opportunity that’s given to me to explore life here, meet people, and do the same things that all of you Russians do.

— Did you know anything about Novosibirsk before coming here? What were your expectations?

— When I was proposed this position in Novosibirsk, my knowledge about Novosibirsk holds in 3 words: Siberia, cold, far. My expectations were then pretty low. I felt I’d be happy if I survive there. Back in the U.S. where I lived before coming here, some people told me that there was no TV here… (and that’s coming from the people who knew enough about Siberia to know that Novosibirsk was a city). Still, I felt there must be more to it than I was told at the time, and I am extremely happy I came.

— Can you compare Novosibirsk to any other cities of the world you have ever been to?

— Ouch… that’s a tough one. I can’t really say that Novosibirsk is a pretty city. Cities in Europe usually have kept a trace of their history that gives them a certain charm that Novosibirsk is lacking. However, Novosibirsk compensates by its dynamism and ambition… while managing to keep its own identity. While I can regret that I cannot find all the other stores that I could find in other cities, I still appreciate that the center does not yet look like a giant shopping mall and that there is no McDonald’s here (as there are in all American cities and small towns). One thing I really enjoy here is how people like being outside (particularly in the summer) and that there is always activities in the street and in the parks.

— What you are most lacking here?

— On the material side? The easiness of the American life. On the personal side? My family.

— What frustrates you most about living here?

— How did you know something would frustrate me here. Let’s put it in these words: the unjustified complexities of some administrative systems, and the very special interpretation of the «standing in line» concept.

— And what makes you glad?

— What makes me happy is the dynamism of the people I work and hang out with. There is such an energy in some people here, and such great potential. And people are very «simple» (in the right sense of the term) in the sense that what they enjoy is very genuine: they love kids, they enjoy life, they enjoy others…

— If you have a chance to take anything from Novosibirsk as a souvenir, what it would be?

— It would be the seasons… I love the difference between the long days in the summer and the crazy vegetation, and the cold and snowy winter. Add the raw fish that you guys have as appetizers (salmon).

Lucas Orner

— What is the purpose of your visit to Novosibirsk? What do you do here?

— Our purpose for being in Novosibirsk is to learn the Russian language. My wife Jamie and I are students at Novosibirsk State University, where we study Monday through Friday from 9:00am-12:20pm. We have heard that NSU is one of the best places to learn Russian and based on our classes, we agree. They have an excellent language learning program and our professors are excellent teachers of the language.

— Did you know anything about Novosibirsk before coming here? What were your expectations?

— We knew some basic information about Novosibirsk before we came and we found a lot of information and pictures of the city on the internet. We also have an American friend who lived here several years ago, and he was able to tell us more about the city and what we should expect. Our expectations were that Novosibirsk was a large city in a very cold area of Russia. We heard a lot about the prestige of the university and the many scientific institutes that were connected with it.

— Can you compare Novosibirsk to any other cities of the world you have ever been to?

— My hometown is Chicago and there are many similarities between Novosibirsk and Chicago. Historically, they were both built around the same time. In the 1870?s the Great Chicago Fire destroyed the city, but it grew rapidly into one of America?s largest cities. Novosibirsk was also built in that era and grew quickly to be one of Russia?s largest cities. Also, Chicago is located on Lake Michigan like Novosibirsk is located on the Ob Sea. Both cities also have great public transportation and many museums and theaters.

— What you are most lacking here?

— It is most difficult to be so far from our family who live in the U. S. Otherwise we have been able to find everything that we enjoyed having in the U.S.

— What frustrates you most about living here?

— The only frustration that we have living here is not being able to speak the language yet, but that is why we are here. Hopefully in a couple months we will be able to communicate more clearly.

— And what makes you glad?

— We love the beautiful forests that surround the city. We enjoy walking through the forest on our way to classes each day in Akademgorodok. The great language study program at NSU also makes us very happy because it is our reason for being here and it has been even better than we expected.

— If you have a chance to take anything from Novosibirsk as a souvenir, what it would be?

— My wife and I have just been discussing this question. I think I would choose some locally-made winter clothes, especially a winter hat. I have met many talented people who are able to make their own gloves, scarves, and hats, and I think that would be what I would want to take as a souvenir. It would remind us of the cold winters.

Helen Zille is the Mayor of Cape Town and leader of the Democratic Alliance political party, South Africa’s official opposition. Helen Zille has reached the final shortlist of 11 world mayors in the World Mayor Award, and she is the only remaining mayor of an African city.

In her interview for metkere.com Helen Zille told about environmental sustainability, the preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and her vision for the future of Cape Town.

— What are you working on now?

— At the moment I am focused on getting the first phase of our Bus Rapid Transit System for Cape Town underway, and also on improving the rate at which we deliver housing opportunities.

— What was the main problem for the city in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

— The biggest challenge has always been, and still is, ensuring that we have adequate funding from central government for the major infrastructure investments we have to make, so that the City is not left with huge debts after the event is finished.

— This year Novosibirsk was the best place to watch total solar eclipse. Local residents and tourists were pretty disappointed in actions of the city administration in that period. What would you do if total eclipse had happened in Cape Town?

— I would first consult with a broad range of stakeholders to establish what is required by the public, and then look at what we could do within practical constraints to meet the demand.

— You are finalist for the World Mayor award. Could you give some advice to your Russian colleagues how to be a good mayor?

— I don“t think there is any one-size fits all approach — it really depends on doing the best you can, with what you have, where you are, and never giving up.

— What is your way to make the city more eco-friendly?

— We have a dedicated Environmental Resource Management Department which has formulated a range of policies to improve our environmental sustainability.

We have put various measures in place, including air-pollution by-laws and policing, major upgrades to our wastewater treatment plants to improve the quality of effluent that is released into our rivers and oceans, and investing in wind energy to reduce carbon emissions.

We also have very strictly controlled conservation areas and strong Environmental Impact Assessment laws at national government level.

— What is your vision for the future of Cape Town?

— I want to see it become a world class African city, one that can attract enough skills and capital in the global arena to sustain faster economic growth and job creation. I want to see Cape Town get to the point where economic growth is substantial enough to enable us to address our main developmental challenges.

Photo by Charlotte de Botton.

Alain de Botton is a writer of essayistic books, which refer both to his own experiences and ideas — and those of artists, philosophers and thinkers. In his interview for metkere.com Alain de Botton explained the fascination of travelling alone, admitted that he dreams of spaceflights and remembered his favorite souvenir.

— What are you working on now? What would be the subject of your interest after love, philosophy, travels and architecture?

— My interests may look very diverse and it’s therefore natural to ask: “What on earth decides what you write about?” But beneath the surface differences between my books, there are really two questions that keep coming back. Namely, how can we cope with what is painful? And secondly, let’s celebrate what is beautiful and good. So I’m interested as a writer in suffering and joy. Also, I am a very personal writer, so I am motivated always by what causes me suffering and joy.

I have recently finished a book called The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. It is an attempt to understand the modern workplace, how strange is the place we give to work in our lives in historical terms. I spent 2 years interviewing people at work, and photographing them, and the results are hopefully fascinating. The book is published in English in March 2009 and in Russia in 2010 if I am lucky.

— Could you tell me more about “The School of Life”? Why did you decide to participate in this project? What are your expectations of it?

— I am a vulgar writer. That is, I want to write and change people in some way. I want them to see the world slightly differently. As I get older, I realise more and more that of course, people are influenced not just by the books they read.

There is a whole “climate of opinion” in societies — so someone interested in changing people’s perceptions will at some point have to become more political. My response to this new political sensibility was a collaboration with some people who are beginning a School Of Life in central London.

The idea is to challenge traditional universities and reorganise knowledge, directing it towards life, and away from knowledge for its own sake. In a modest way, it’s an institution that is trying to give people what universities should I think always give them: a sense of direction and wisdom for their lives with the help of culture.

— Your book, “Art of Travel”, is more about poetry and philosophy, than about travels itself. Why did you choose this way of storytelling?

—I like to connect my ideas always to very concrete, practical sides of people’s lives — and nowadays, people spend an awful lot of time thinking about holidays. It seemed to me that this business of going on holiday, at one level so banal, really sits on top of so many hugely interesting and important themes: the role of money in happiness, the way we remember places, the idea of the exotic, the role of literature in shaping our ideas of what is interesting…

So the result is a book that is both a treatise on art, literature, philosophy — but also, hopefully a hugely practical and even enjoyable look at the business of travelling.

— Speaking of traveling, where would you like to get to although you know it's impossible?

— It would be fascinating to observe the earth from outer space — and therefore get a sense of the vastness in which our small affairs unfold. Back on earth, one would always be able to call on these images to lend perspective.

— What advice would you give your best friend to travel to?

— I would advise a friend to travel alone rather than always in a group. Travelling alone is totally frightening and disorienting — but from such disorientation can come valuable insights.

— Do you have a favorite souvenir from your travels?

— I remember certain images I have in my head of the Sinai desert, which I visited at the age of 18. The vastness and emptiness still effects me — and in crowded city life, I sometimes feast on these images of immemorial nature.

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