Tom Miller, businessman, 42 years old:
“During my stay in Brest I saw two gorgeous ladies walking hand in hand. I thought they were lesbians at first but my guide explained that the girls were straight and they were just good friends. You don’t often see something like this in the US; people walking hand in hand are either a man with his wife or a guy with his girlfriend.”

David Naidis, preacher, 56 years old:
“There are a lot of places of interest in Belarus. I’ve been to several cities and felt that the government really does take care of the country. What I liked the most were the people – I will always remember their friendliness.”

Martin Northrope, engineer, 35 years old:
“Now I see that the people of Belarus are not that different from us – they turn their heads when they hear someone speaking in English. The same thing always happens in my home town when people hear someone speaking in Russian.”

Henry Walsh, artist, 50 years old:
“A gorgeous country! The only other place where I saw such beautiful nature was at a tropical island! And the girls - I would draw each of them if only I could! I’m planning to take one of my models with me as soon as she’s done filling out documents!”

Paul Branier, driver, 39 years old:
“My friends had talked me into going to Belarus on a village tour. We were staying with really wonderful people, and spent a lot of time visiting different cultural sites, and went to the forest to pick berries and mushrooms. We also went swimming in the river and the food was delicious! What I like the most was the homemade moonshine and savory lard.”

Richard Burbo, student, 25 years old:
“Minsk is so monumental, but the thing that impressed me much more was the beauty of the Belarusian ladies.”

Douglas Redfield, personnel manager, 38 years old:
“I came to Belarus after visiting Russia. In my honest opinion, that’s where real beautiful ladies not spoiled by plastic surgery live!”

Matt Sage, mathematician, college tutor, 41 years old:
“Belarusian people are really open-hearted, friendly, and educated! They are so hospitable! It was hard to leave the family I stayed with – they were even crying when I left!”

Donald Edwards, ad-person, 44 years old:
“It’s a pity that very few travel agencies offer tours to Belarus! It’s a wonderful country! Everything is so real here, so alive. The girls are beautiful, really beautiful even without makeup!”

Neil Harwood, teacher, 38 years old:
“I had thought that Belarus was kinda like some subsidiary of the Soviet Union, but I changed my opinion when I saw their cities. The way Minsk is growing is amazing! I was really impressed by the National Library; there isn’t anything like that in my country!”

Jan Goodkind, programmer, 27 years old:
“I had used to chat with Belarusian guys online, they are really conversable. One of them invited me to come to Belarus, and I did. We had a great time there. I don’t remember too much of it, though, all my memories are in my camera. And all of the ladies are beautiful there!”

Richard Unt, pastry-cook, 51 years old:
“Quite a long time ago I came back home from Belarus with a young wife and a lot of interesting recipes. Now a lot of my patrons buy “Belarusian buns” from me.”

Isac Brafman, director of a supermarket, 48 years old:
“Most of my friends have no idea about the beauty of Belarusian nature. I still can’t believe that I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Besides, I was really impressed by the beauty of the Belarusian girls. My wife is cute too, though.”

Orei Biplun, actor, 34 years old:
“Slavic hospitality is something unimaginable, just like the Belarusian cuisine! I gained 3 kilos here, in addition to tons of good impressions! I’m communicating with one college girl from Belarus – we’ve got so much in common!”