On a serious note this is a very relevant statement. It is a different Russia but its very Slavic in all ways. I'm in Gomel now but I spent 2 days in Brest. It is a very beautiful city, not too big and well kept. Wide streets and there is not a street that is has not been repaved recently or is being paved now. Walking the streets will get you aquainted with General winter in about 3 minutes. There was a steady wind of about 20 knots the whole time and you get cold fast if your not dressed right. I feel for those German soldiers in their summer uniforms a long time ago. I made it to the Citadel, it was a very stirring and beautiful place with all of the trees and the monuments. All parks are beautiful places around here. The train museum was closed. I'll put up the pics as soon as I can, they are having big problems with power and internet connections here because of an ice storm. I've been bumped twice just writing this.