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[sibways]

Highly expensive residence for russian elite "Altayskoye podvorye" is almost completed. From Chuyski trakt road you ride 20 km of new great way among mountains up to the royal residence near Katun river. I say "you ride", but actually a guard stops people in the beginning of the road.
No people is allowed to approach the place of residence. If you are a rafter, the guard blocks you in 3km upper the residence and forces you to go riverside to avoid the residence.
While creating 20-km road some ancient petroglyphs were destroyed as well as holy places of inhabitants.
In fact 20-km mountain road took about $40 000 000 of federal national funds. But people couldn't reach Katun even by walk.

[flat5263]

well, i am American on a long yearly vacation in Russia. not truly Russian, almost after 20 years!!

[littlekate]

What on Earth could have made you having yearly vocation in Russia? So far away... with so many better places around?

[flat5263]

well, i married a Russian... well it is a wholesome country. children 6 yrs and older are seen daily on their way to school, music lessons, art schools, alone walking on the streets. IN SAFETY. has been so for decades. cities and towns are set up in such a way. and i credit Putin with rebuilding churches, hospitals, schools, and many other thins. all things beneficial to people. Russia shows so much... hope and change for the better. i wish USA could make such drastic changes. are you in India?
and to finally answer what on earth... i don't want my wife "Americanized" as if SHE could be. others may, other Russian girls, but not her. anyway, i have enjoyed the culture here, not a USA TV and CAR culture. the Russian soul...