Russia... Really.

Coverage in the U.S. and Europe despairs of Russia's resurgent nationalism. And there is that, though you won't likely see it if you go there.

But there's nothing warmer than a welcome into a Russian family's home, and the  intense, open discussion, argument, toasting and fellowship that inevitably follows, maybe with pickles or sausages and vodka, across the kitchen table.

Unfortunately, there's also this:

"Russia's demography befits a country at war. The population of 142m is shrinking by 700,00 people a year."

- from a report in the Economist that crystallizes the real Russia, 2009.

Photos in the Russia Gallery at EarthPhotos.com.