Here is some of those from Flickr
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/4089688110_81ae1961ca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4089688110/)
[/url] by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4089688110/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/4089619378_0b6e024f81.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4089619378/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4089619378/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/4088884607_19d464e674.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4088884607/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4088884607/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5042118884_b6667e1fc0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/5042118884/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/5042118884/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5041485225_6dc145238b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/5041485225/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/5041485225/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4285297320_35510ab480.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4285297320/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4285297320/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4809938128_bd24033b98.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4809938128/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4809938128/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4236829201_f8f01bd79a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4236829201/)
by Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4236829201/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4088883645_6c0ae68833.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4088883645/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/4088842819_300d8c4ba6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4088842819/)
by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/44533223@N08/]Russian Sam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44533223@N08/4088842819/), on Flickr

So you live in a suburb of St. Petersburg?
Can you send a photo of the hypermarket where you work? I'd like to see how a hypermarket compares to stores in America.

Which of the following towns is the one where you live?
* Shlisselburg (at 59°56′N 31°02′E / 59.933°N 31.033°E / 59.933; 31.033 (Shlisselburg))
* Novaya Ladoga (at 60°06′N 32°18′E / 60.1°N 32.3°E / 60.1; 32.3 (Novaya Ladoga))
* Syasstroy (at 60°08′N 32°34′E / 60.133°N 32.567°E / 60.133; 32.567 (Syasstroy))
* Pitkyaranta (at 61°34′N 31°28′E / 61.567°N 31.467°E / 61.567; 31.467 (Pitkyaranta))
* Sortavala (at 61°42′N 30°41′E / 61.7°N 30.683°E / 61.7; 30.683 (Sortavala))
* Lakhdenpokhya (at 61°31′N 30°12′E / 61.517°N 30.2°E / 61.517; 30.2 (Lakhdenpokhya))
* Priozersk (at 61°02′N 30°08′E / 61.033°N 30.133°E / 61.033; 30.133 (Priozersk))

Steve - any chance he can meet Kevin Durant and Crew?

Kerry, at this point anything is possible. I really think it would be great if there were an opportunity for the good folks at OKC Talk to meet Elijah in person.

So you live in a suburb of St. Petersburg?
Can you send a photo of the hypermarket where you work? I'd like to see how a hypermarket compares to stores in America.
Ok, but in our hypermarket forbidden to make the photos and video. I'll try.

Priladojskiy (english Lake Ladoga Town)
59°52′36.46 N
31°19′29.86 E
Population 7000 people. Founded in 1978. Sea level 21 m.


Steve - any chance he can meet Kevin Durant and Crew?
Excuse me, who is Kevin Durant?

Elijah, don't do anything to get yourself in trouble as far as taking pictures at the hypermarket, then.

Kevin Durant is our star basketball player for our NBA team, the OKC Thunder.

Elijah, don't do anything to get yourself in trouble as far as taking pictures at the hypermarket, then.
That's will be normally, don't worry.

Kevin Durant is our star basketball player for our NBA team, the OKC Thunder.
Oh, God!

Elijah, I agree with skywest. Don't get yourself in trouble with your boss. We don't want that to happen.
Kevin Durant is the star of the NBA Thunder basketball team. He is quickly becoming a leading star in the entire NBA league.
Kevin Durant is destined to become like Micheal Jordan or Kobe Bryant.

Elijah, I agree with skywest. Don't get yourself in trouble with your boss. We don't want that to happen.
Kevin Durant is the star of the NBA Thunder basketball team. He is quickly becoming a leading star in the entire NBA league.
Kevin Durant is destined to become like Micheal Jordan or Kobe Bryant.
I think, importantly, that he was interested in our meeting.

No. I think there is a misunderstanding here.
Kevin Durant does not know about you or your visit.
A meeting with Kevin Durant is just an idea.

Elijah, don't do anything to get yourself in trouble as far as taking pictures at the hypermarket, then.
OK, done.

http://s002.radikal.ru/i197/1011/c6/f7ec36d51088.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s016.radikal.ru/i336/1011/4c/57e47dc337e8.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s009.radikal.ru/i307/1011/d4/4c26dc079186.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s008.radikal.ru/i306/1011/f3/1f7f387cec7a.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s015.radikal.ru/i333/1011/a8/5ffc48286fa9.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s004.radikal.ru/i208/1011/fa/63e1ad70c40a.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s009.radikal.ru/i308/1011/8e/be8216f50bbe.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s005.radikal.ru/i212/1011/4f/41d40e8f5a2e.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s009.radikal.ru/i310/1011/4d/d14d34fe3c97.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s008.radikal.ru/i304/1011/0e/24338c742027.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)
http://s003.radikal.ru/i201/1011/c4/8d8fa205fe40.jpg (http://www.radikal.ru)

Thanks for the information!

Really? What price?
For the past 4 months I surprised more and more to what you are - Americans. I like you. Via the Internet.

And--we like you Sam. Come on over and have a piece of pie...

And--we like you Sam. Come on over and have a piece of pie...
:-) Thank you!

No. I think there is a misunderstanding here.
Kevin Durant does not know about you or your visit.
A meeting with Kevin Durant is just an idea.

Somebody make it happen. Russians LOVE basketball--a uniquely American sport...

Somebody make it happen. Russians LOVE basketball--a uniquely American sport...
It's true, but basket no so popularity like a football's gates. In a school I have been in basketball school team.

Based on those pictures it appears the collapse of communism has been good for the grocery business in Russia. Wait until Russiam Sam sees a Wal-Mart. He will feel right at home. He might not be ready for Best Buy though.

TVs at Best Buy
http://www.treehugger.com/tvs-in-best-buy.jpg

Have you been to Walmart lately Kerry, maybe not in Jacksonville, but in OKC aka land of Walmart, they have more TV's than Best Buy, some of them even have the "home theatre theatre experience" like Best Buy does.

Have you been to Walmart lately Kerry, maybe not in Jacksonville, but in OKC aka land of Walmart, they have more TV's than Best Buy, some of them even have the "home theatre theatre experience" like Best Buy does.

True - our new WalMart has a an electronics section that is almost the size of our new local Best Buy. However, a new CompUSA just opened near by and it is awesome. I already bought a new router and switch there.

Russian Sam.

1. Im not sure if OKC has an automotive museum but we do have plenty of museums that you can visit, if you have time. We have an Automobile Alley that is a heritage district in downtown Oklahoma City as well as a former Ford Model T factory in the Film Row section of downtown, but Im not certain if an actual museum exists.
2. You can place flowers at the memorial
3. You can go to the top of the Chase Tower, there is a private club up there called Petroleum Club. Im sure somebody can make arrangements for you to go up since you are a special guest. Maybe even have lunch or dinner with a view of the entire city. Also, I would hope/assume that you could attend an NBA game if they have a home game while you are in town. I wonder if the mayor could somehow recognize your efforts - if so, you would have EASY access to almost everything in the city.

As Steve mentioned, the helicopter ride would be free - since you were grateous enough to make a model of our city without even seeing it in real life. .... I wouldn't worry too much about expense on your part - as we Oklahomans are quite hospitable to guests. It is likely that everything visit and do will be free.

Just so you know, Steve is one of our best and finest media journalists. He is a stout resource on and proponent for Oklahoma City and particularly the renaissance of the downtown and central city communities. Steve doesn't just through out hyperbola, so if he says something can or will happen - you can trust that he has done his research and/or will honor his word.

By the way, I and many others on this forum and SSC/SSP are expatriates who were born in or used to live in Oklahoma City - but we keep in touch and genuinely care about our hometown and things that are happening. So in this regard, things I say are usually from the prospective of 'should' or 'can' because I am not actually in the city to make things really happen. But from my experience and based on your being able to come in the first place, Im sure you wont have to worry about any expense other than what you personally want to do for yourself AND Im sure there are many things planned for you to have a memorable experience of OKC and America.

Please enjoy your trip to Oklahoma City, maybe there could be a wonderful future opportunity forged from this visit.

Thank you Hot Rod.
Sam, the helicopter ride is confirmed. You will see downtown Oklahoma City from the air.
Odds are high you will see the Thunder play an NBA game.
And you will get to have an American hamburger.

Ilia's(Russian Sam's) new website,you can buy his model or posters of OKC! http://usapapercity.com/

I hope he does very well.

Steve, I sent you a PM about the people that do Google Earth buildings - did you get it?

During a year I will reduce the price to $2000 for OKC if I can not find buyers.

Sam, I'm going to offer you some advice.
A good capitalist does not tell his customers he will drop the price.
Your model is like a fine piece of art. Let the market decide if it is worth the price you are asking. The market might pay it. Do not let potential customers know you are uncertain of your price.
Best regards - Steve

Kerry, I don't think I saw your message.

Kerry, I don't think I saw your message.

I'll send it to your Oklahoman account.

Agreed, I'm bad salesman. :-) Thanks for advice, Steve.

There are people in this town who got very rich by doing the following:
Let's say the item for sale is worth $5,000.
They go on television and tell customers their item was originally priced at $10,000, and it's "MARKED WAY DOWN" and can be purchased for $7,000.
That, my friend, is capitalism.