I visited the Kremlin, Red Square and Lenin's Tomb. The trip, like all journeys, however, was not without its share of headaches and problems, and Russia is not the most pleasant place that I've visited during the course of my global travels. Not for a minute, however, do I regret the tour. Afterall, Russia was the home of Abraham Hannibal and Alexander Pushkin. On the other hand, however, English is very little spoken and racist skinheads roam the streets.
Poverty is visible and seems to be growing.
The cost of living is high and old women and children beggars are commonplace. I must say that it did seem a little strange to see White people begging. When the tour ended I was more than ready to leave. Russia is not the place for African people. Runoko Rashidi is a historian, writer and traveler engaged in a love affair with Africa.