This & That, Ceci et Cela

Roubles = [my] rounded, romanticized pronounciation, similar to my stubbornly fantastic impression of Russia (Tsars, golden domes, gilded furnishings, royal excess). Further aided/protracted by things like the way “Russe” sounds (French translation for “Russian”)…
Rubles = more concise, accurate pronounciation similar to the stark reality of Russia as might be espoused by a weary/jaded native,
the sharp rise in racist murders eg http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4559566.stm , etc.

Can’t wait until the visit that will bring my fanciful impressions back down to earth with a grating bump someday. Oh, I get flashes of the reality all the time; the Moscow Times online is one of my daily newsletters, I have couple of Russian acquaintances, etc. Yet, I somehow tend to perceive both realms as different countries.