A scary thing happened on the way to Moscow Airport

It happened to my son on his last trip to Moscow in March 2004. His permanent residence is in Poland where he lives with his Polish wife and works as editor for a publication of an international non-profit organization. His job involves traveling to many different countries in Europe including Russia. After 4 days of work and business conferences in Moscow he was ready to do some shopping before returning home to Warsaw. He spent several hours in the city center's Pushkin Square just a few blocks distance from Red Square, then planned to catch his shuttle bus back to the hotel. He had reserved a taxi for 7 p.m. to take him from the hotel to Sheremetyevo - Moscow Airport to catch 9 p.m. flight to Warsaw. To get to the shuttle quickly he had to use an underground passage to cross to the other side where the bus was supposed to stop. There he was suddenly approached by a group of policemen! One of them demanded "dokumenty" from him. He gave him his passport. The policeman discovered that his 'hotel registration' was valid only until March 19 while it was already March 21 and had expired, though his visa was valid through the 21st. The Russians still require foreigners to carry their hotel registration with them when in the country just like in the "good old Soviet days". The people in Moscow who made his reservation for him had by mistake made it for only 2 days. He had extended it for 2 more days but the hotel forgot to give him the paper slip to carry in the passport, which he didn't notice. Then the policeman asked him where he was staying. When my son told him and gave him the hotel name and phone number to verify, they said "it is a very serious problem" and that he will have to be taken to the police station! In spite of his repeated reminder that he had to catch international flight shortly and was getting late they told him he will have to come with them and pay a very large fine! He had no idea what was going to happen. It didn't look good. Two of the policemen took him to a police car parked on Pushkin Square. My son asked the one sitting in the front passenger seat how much is the fine going to be. After a brief consultation with his colleague at the wheel, he said "100 dollars". My son said he had only $50.00 with him, though he had more. He pulled out a 50-dollar bill and showed it to them. They took the money, gave him back his passport and let him go! He just barely caught his bus back to the hotel in time. Though he had once read in Moscow Times about several incidents where foreign tourists were taken to police station, detained for hours, forced to hand over their wallets and "cleaned out" of all their money, he never imagined it would happen to him. After all he had visited the country before without problems. While the whole thing was going on he was worried he would miss his flight and how terrified his wife would be if he didn't show up that evening. Not surprisingly, he is very reluctant to visit Russia again. This article was published by: http://www.searchwarp.com/ PS: Top photo; Kremlin at night.

Time for Trade Embargo against Cuba to end

Though the President has relaxed some restrictions against Cuba they are far from enough. Five decades of isolation of the island country didn't work to either side's advantage. It is ironic that there was a double standard by American administrations until now in treatment of Cuba as compared for example to Saudi Arabia and China. Our trade relationship with them is not contingent on their human rights record which is pretty abominable. Our own history in the matter is not exactly stellar. Recent history of treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo and Abu Graib is simply scandalous. Who are we to point fingers at others when our own house is not yet in order? The constant refrain; 'We are so good and they are so bad' is ridiculous and unrealistic. That doesn't mean I am not against persecution of people who have differences with their government's regime. Of course Cuba should be pressured to release its political prisoners. But going to such length as complete trade embargo against a close neighbor is a mistake. It is clear form documentaries and other reports that Cuba has turned into a shabby looking place though still prolific in culture. Shortages of consumer goods are chronic and tourist industry is in doldrums. In spite of free health care and education the future for young people is not promising. Many still think a dangerous boat trip to our shores is their best hope. Do we really want to encourage that kind of immigration? Their closest neighbors in US are barred from visiting the country by our Government. That is down-right undemocratic, our citizens' freedom is being curtailed! We are always reiterating how important that Freedom is to us. Some Americans still visit Cuba via Canada or Mexico. The Cuban border police doesn't stamp their passports to keep them from getting in trouble back home. Older generations of Cuban immigrants in Miami still vote for anti-Castro policy from Washington. They don't get it. The dream to overthrow the Castro brothers is a lost cause. They have learned nothing from 50 years of failure in that effort. Trade relationship is very important in opening people's mind to outside influence. The Cuban people are too fatigued from years of oppression to have the will to start violent protests that may lead to bloodshed. The change is much more likely to happen gradually and we could be an important instrument in it. Why not start with commerce and tourism? We may not need Cuban cigars or rum or sugar but there are other products we could profit greatly from. The first that comes to mind is internationally famous Medical Research conducted by Cuban scientists. They are far ahead of us in that respect. There is a lot of talent there. Talking about talent, Cuba must be full of excellent mechanics. Look at the way they have been able to keep ancient American cars working! There is a market there for American collectors of 'classic' cars. We should be also able to enjoy their rich culture, customs, cuisine and a lot more. This article was published by: http://www.searchwarp.com/ PS: Second photo from top: View of Havana. Third photo: Tropicana Cuban dancers.

Short history of Beading

Beads have been used by mankind since 35-40,000 years! They were made from all kinds of materials like various shells, metals, stone, wood, quills, paper, glass and lately of course the 'lowly' plastic. Throughout history the beads of different types and shapes were much favored as currency. To this day we use the word trade beads. The most popular use of beads soon became ornamental, specially in jewelry. In Africa numerous tribes created amazingly beautiful bead designs. For thousands of years the beads were used, woven and stitched in different ways. Pharaohs wore beads!! In this country the most well known beaded ornamentation is made by the Native American population. The Indians of American continent were using all kinds of quills, animal teeth, skins etc. for creating wonderful designs. But their beading really took a different turn when the first discoverers of the Continent brought glass beads to the Plains Indians toward the end of 1700s. They were often carried on horseback and the name Pony Beads became known. The larger glass beads of today are still sold by that name. In 1900s the women on reservations produced heavily ornamented garments for themselves and their men. The seed beads or small beads were first imported from Italy. Then Czech beads became very popular. Today the best quality of very fine small glass beads called Delicas come from Japan. Jewelry and other items made from them are easily the stuff for heirlooms of the future. The most beautiful African beading these days, favored by American bead artists is made by Ndebele tribe of southern Africa. The masterful and patient workers of the tribe create ornaments from beads even for decorating their houses! They use yet another stitch to add to the variety of textures and beauty to beaded items. But we have come a long way since only native peoples worked with beads! I am an European American who has been working with beads and creating many original and different beaded jewelry pieces for at least 12 years. The possibilities are endless in choice of shapes, colors, stitches and materials. Among many others I consider crystals very glamorous. Freshwater and other pearls have a feminine charm and beauty of their own. As a very enthusiastic beaded jewelry maker I could go on and on.