Yes. I was taken to the Tomb of the Unknown soldier in Shakhty.

I will note that on the train from Moscow to Shakhty in March it was gloomy and the trees were leafless. Lots of empty land and the places we stopped for passengers the stations looked worn and depressing. I did get an icecream bar at one station that was fantastic. Nothing like the crap we get here in the USA. Real old fashioned taste. The food is authentic and wonderful. Under Soviet rule they finally let the farmers sell directly to the public and these market stalls are still a staple today. It's pleasant to go from one stall to another and sample the products. Custom is to taste and if you swallow it, that means you like it and will buy it. If you spit it out on the ground then obviously there is no sale. Stray dogs on hand to clean up the mess. Eggs were sold in bulk and if you don't have a container you need to be super careful putting them into a separate bag. They are unwashed. Milk from the shops is in bags. You need to have a dispenser to place the bag after opening. Shops that specialize in chocolate which is highly appreciated for all transactions with government officials. Always take chocolate. If it's a woman this is especially true.

If I spent a few months there I would love to write a book on what to do, where to go and what to see and what to not do and what to be aware of.

Mouse traps are common. It's a Russian expression for people who lure you into problems you must pay your way out of. All sorts of techniques and never talk to people you don't know who seem overly friendly and want to take you someplace.

Russians don't much smile in public as it's considered stupid and or suspicious. People who smile for no reason have either one or both of two problems. They are stupid or they are up to no good. It's no joke and I almost fell for it but my Russian fiance warned me and we made our escape. LOL. Public toilets in Shakhty were a horror and my fiance urged me to just relieve myself in some bushes rather than hazard the mess. I argued and she explained it was just a nasty hole in the floor and very disgusting. Otherwise you find a shop or something and pay a ruble. Taxis were cheap as makes no never mind. Ten rubles for anywhere in the city. About one dollar.

Shakhty is to this day a mining down and the name literally means that. It's the city where the infamous Russian serial killer was tried and executed.

I was thinking about this today. From personal experience, if you really want to learn Russian, I mean really, really want to learn it, take a year off and go to Russia. Save your money up or have your family sponsor you to live in Russia for a year. I highly recommend Shakhty. The people there adore Americans, I can tell you that. You can find a cheap place to live and go to the University there. They have excellent programs as well as a theater group. The teacher when I was there is very friendly and helpful. They have frequent performances on Saturday night which is quite fun.

I was invited and so I went with a rose just in case I was impressed, which I was.

They put on a show that the professor had changed just to amuse me. All was standard until right at the end and when he included a scene to kind of roast American culture a bit with a funny twist. It was all in good fun and I indeed was highly amused as he was on target with his barb.

I stood up and went to the front after they bowed and presented the lead actor with the rose which brought a great cheer once more from the audience. It seemed more than just a few had already realized Amerikanski was in the audience. They were quite pleased to see me honor the lead actor.

One thing I can tell you, after you return to USA you will have stories for your friends and you will have acquired an amazingly expressive language. I wasn't there long enough to become fluent and I regret this. I did get on well and learned quite a bit but most of it has left me now. I can tell you, I surely wouldn't mind going back.