A little myth-busting never hurts

Standing in the centre of the Red Square in Moscow in -18°C temperatures (without the wind-chill…) recently, I was made aware of the huge contrasts that seem to be the hallmark of the Muscovite way of life.

I had seen this very same square on TV and on photo hundreds of times but nothing prepared me for the vastness of it. It really is on a different scale and so is the whole of Moscow! I was out there on business with Clif Collier, MD of Fifth Ring, visiting an agency that is planning on joining BBN. It was my first time in Russia, and I travelled there with a mind as open as possible but with a few anecdotes in mind which I had been told over the years.

I decided to fly Aeroflot to experience my first taste of Russian service. It was courteous and unobtrusive. The food served onboard was as good as any I have had on planes but a far cry from the terrible fayre I was told they served. The plane was extremely clean which cannot be said for a lot of other companies. The (very) early morning arrival was an opportunity for me to get an idea of what the customs would be like - having had some issues with obtaining visas in London in preparation for the trip - and I was efficiently dealt with. The airport terminal was vast and spotless and I got onto a fast train into town in a matter of minutes. Needless to say this hadn't lived up to some of my preconceptions and I was very glad of it. I checked into the hotel at 07:00 AM and was called within five minutes of arriving in my room to be asked if I was happy with it. My entire stay in Moscow - all 36 hours of it - went like a dream.

All the people I came across were extremely helpful. The team at the agency we were visiting were extremely welcoming, young and professional which shouldn't have come as a major surprise given the fact advertising has only existed in Russia for the best part of 15 years… I got the sense that people work long hours and that they are determined to make a difference: they are passionate about their job.

At the end of the day, it was only the contrast between the very rich and the very poor which I saw in the streets which was a reminder that this is a country that is only slowly getting back onto its feet. I took the decision when I left that I would come back and try and venture out to another part of Russia to try and experience first hand what Russian life really is about. After all, Moscow like every other capital city I have ever visited before, only tells you half the story.