Not just felt like some people on this board think Russia is a scary place withe bears on the streets and total violation of humans rights. I do honestly believe we have more rights here than in many other Western countries.
No need to apologize, I'm sure there is some of that here ... fear of the unknown, combined with media sensationalism.
Apparently, from your second sentence, you have some of the same over there.
Which is hardly surprising; I don't think I've ever traveled anywhere that people weren't a bit nervous about foreigners, and where the media was not trying to shape people's thoughts.
Can you compare one of your favorite courses in Russia to somewhere you've played elsewhere that we might be more familiar with?