Learning Russian in Moscow
The Russian language uses the Cyrillic script, which to most of us raised on the Roman alphabet looks like someone has taken familiar letters, flipped them upside down and backwards, and sprinkled in a few extra shapes.
Cyrillic, used by twelve countries, was created in the 9th century by the Bulgarian Empire, drawing from Greek and an older script called Glagolitic. The spoken Russian language itself comes from Eastern Slavic roots, first recorded around the 11th century.
And now here we are in Moscow, where I’m studying Russian at a language school for a couple of weeks — because well, why not. I love torture.
A Brief History of Moscow (The Speed‑Run Version)
Moscow was founded in 1147 as a small town. The Mongols arrived, ruled, and eventually Ivan III (Ivan the Great) kicked them out in the 15th century, ushering in prosperity and the construction of the first Kremlin.
After repeated Crimean Tatar attacks, Russia fell under Tsarist rule in 1613. The Romanovs reigned for over 300 years until the Communist Revolution of 1917, which eventually collapsed into capitalism in 1991.
Fast‑forward to today: Moscow is modern, massive, and one of the most expensive cities on the planet.
So… What’s Moscow Actually Like?
Growing up, my mental image of Moscow was a mix of nuclear warheads, stern leaders with unusual birthmarks, and Olympic shot‑putters who I wouldn’t fancy meeting down a dark alley.
But after many visits, I’ve grown to genuinely love the place.
It takes time to understand Moscow — its people, its culture, its rhythm. It’s not just freezing temperatures and vodka. Though both play a significant part on the life and culture.
Once you get past the lack of customer service, the miserable faces, the traffic jams, and the sardine‑packed metro, you discover a city with incredible energy, warm hospitality, rich culture, great food, and a stunning city centre.
Many cities claim to be 24‑hour, but Moscow actually is. You can eat, shop, work out, or party at any hour. On my first visit years ago, I found myself waking up mid‑afternoon and eating dinner at 1am. Time is more of a suggestion here.
Cultural Differences (Why No One Smiles at You)
The biggest cultural difference between Russia and the UK? In Britain, we smile at strangers, hold doors open, and apologise for everything.
In Russia, if they don’t know you, why would they smile at you? Why make small talk? Why let you onto the metro first?
Just keep your head down, sharpen your elbows, and push on. It takes getting used to, but that’s the joy of travelling — seeing how other people live.
Red Square: A Fairytale in Brick
Red Square is one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
I’ll never forget my first time stepping into it — noticing the slope, the curve of the horizon, and how you initially only see the top of St Basil’s Cathedral. Walk further and the full cathedral reveals itself like a theatrical set piece.
With the Kremlin to your right (behind Lenin’s mausoleum) and GUM department store to your left, the whole square unfolds like a Russian fairytale.
Add Old Arbat Street, the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya Street, the Peter the Great statue, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, countless museums and Gorky Park — all within walking distance — and you’ve got a city centre packed with icons.
People, History & A Complicated Identity
I’ve always been fascinated by people and culture — who we are, where we come from, why we’re shaped the way we are.
Russians have had a tough ride: 300 years under the Romanovs, decades under the Communist regime, then suddenly thrown into capitalism — the early years under Yeltsin resembling the Wild West, followed by more stability under Putin.
It’s this turbulent history that makes Russia the complex society it is today.
These days, I find life in Moscow can feel very materialistic — image is everything. Anya and I proudly showed off our new tent and sleeping bag recently. Shockingly, no one cared.
The Kitchen: The Heart of Russian Life
My favourite part of visiting Moscow is the kitchen — the true centre of Russian life.
In the UK, dinner is often meat, potatoes, two veg, a quick chat, and the table cleared in twenty minutes.
In Russia, dinner is an event.
The smell of fresh dill fills the air. Dishes appear endlessly: soups, potatoes, herring, pickled vegetables, kotlety (meatballs), cabbage, pies, kolbasa (cured sausage), caviar. Bread — mountains of it — accompanies everything.
Food cooked earlier in the week sat in the fridge (or stored on the balcony, which doubles as a second fridge in winter) is brought out too. You end up with a dozen dishes to pick at, like Russia version of Spanish tapas.
And Russians love to talk. Conversations go on for hours. Time disappears.
Vodka: The Stereotype & The Reality
The stereotype that Russians drink vodka for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and personal hygiene isn’t quite true.
In bars, younger people drink beer and cocktails. But at home — especially with guests — vodka is king.
Kept in the fridge, poured into 50ml glasses, each shot is accompanied by a toast (usually to happiness and good health). Bread helps with the aftertaste — always keep some on your plate.
The bottle usually disappears pretty quickly.
Learning Russian – keep plugging away
I’m halfway through my two‑week course and the language is still as tough as ever. I’ve been learning on and off for over two years and can just about hold a very slow, very basic conversation — only slightly better than my native English, to be honest.
