Customs officials are never the most cheerful people but the one who welcomed us to Russia takes the 'Ice Queen' award. We stood in the foreigners queue watching as each person in front of us was glared down by a woman who looked suspiciously like Anne Robinson from 'The weakest link'. She scrutinised each and every passport in silence, sighing every now and again, trying desperately to find any discrepancy with the visas. After what seemed like an eternity, she snarled, admitted defeat and sullenly indicated that we could pass through the metal gates. Welcome to Russia. Thankfully this woman was in the minority - actually the vast majority of Russians we have spoken to here have been quite nice, even the drunk ones have been interested in practising their English and engaging in a bit
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