International Investment!

July 6, 2007

Russia is uncharacteristically warm! Shorts, t-shirts, and sandals are all that are needed. I have even seen some young Russians dress this way. Humidity levels are relatively low so that sunny days in the low 80s are very comfortable. As we traveled today, the shorts and tanks tops were coming out everywhere. There is a rumor going around that it will get cold soon, but I have no evidence to support that rumor! I’ve told Olesya that Russians have been spreading this rumor for hundreds of years in an attempt to keep other Westerners from coming to enjoy the fine weather in this country!

Today was international investment day. What countries have invested in Russia with businesses and factories in the Vladimir Region? Our first stop was in the town of Kirzhach, about halfway between the city of Vladimir and Moscow. There, a large, modern factory has been built by the Turkish people. The factory produces small, efficient washing machines and employs a few hundred people. Starting pay is 60 rublay an hour ($2.50). The monthly salary gained here would be more than teachers are paid in Russia! Most of the employees are women! They have some high expectations to gain more and more sales and profits over the next few years. The name of the factory is BEKO. Not a household word in the US, but becoming a household word in Europe and in Russia.

The next stop was absolutely amazing! I could have stayed and played there all day. We visited a dirigible manufacturer. You say, “What?” The building looked very plain as we arrived. We left the bus, not expecting anything unusual. When each of our group entered the building, all their eyes looked up, their mouths opened, their jaws dropped in astonishment! Inside were two ‘blimps’ like the ‘Goodyear’ blimp being readied for flight. They were held in place by sand bags and a truck with a large pole in the front of each blimp. It made me think that you were on a 007 movie set and James Bond was about to take a blimp for a daring ride to spy on the bad guys! Each of the cabs was being hooked up with controls, computers, and seating. No rides today. But what a neat job. The skin of the blimps was made by an American company. This Russian company was making it cheaper to fly over and use infrared for various purposes of land usage. Very exciting!

Lunch: Yes we're still in Russia: Salad (but shrimp today!), borscht with biscuits, potatoes, mushrooms, and some meat (I don’t know what kind – in Russia, it is meat – don’t ask what kind – it’s meat – that’s all you get – meat!) There was fresh fruit on the table and we snatched it up very quickly!

A brick factory is a very good thing to have in Russia right now. Imagine that 15 years ago, no one owned any property. Now, many Russians have property and want to build a larger house. Brick seems to be the right material that Russians want to build with. An Austrian company has built a brick factory near a clay pit and Moscow and is starting to reap the benefits.

Our last stop was at the home of Zhukovshy, the father of Soviet Aerodynamics. He was working on how to get something to fly around the same time the Wright Brothers were working on their flyer. The Russians seem to think that Z beat the Wright Brothers to flight. Some living history, some great tour guides, a Mig 17, and a nice home. I got to play the piano in the parlor!

In the evening, Olesya took me to the nearest fire department. I came with patches, shirts, and hats from the Hollywood, Maryland Volunteer Fire Department. I was instructed by John Gatton to just give them as gifts from America. If the Russians want to trade something for them, all the better. Firemen must be of the same mind all over the world. We met half a dozen firemen at the local fire department in Vladimir. They were surprised and shocked to see an American and to be getting gifts from an American! Two ran inside for patches to trade. I handed out patches, a hat, and two t-shirts. In return, I received three patches and a hat from the Russian fire department. The entire exchange with handshakes, trades, and some picture taking took all of ten minutes. Imagine how international relations could prosper if we spent ten minutes like this on the top levels of our countries! Fantastica!