SEE, TOUCH, AND FEEL THE REAL RUSSIA BEHIND TODAY'S HEADLINES.

For as long as I can remember, this kid from Manhattan--with absolutely no Russian ancestry-- was told, "Russians are all spies," "Russians can't be trusted," "the problem is the Russian Government, the people are okay."

As a skeptical New Yorker, I've come to believe only what I see, not what I'm told. So decided to take my photojournalistic skills on an unescorted seven-day trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg, arguably the historical and cultural heart and soul of Russia.

Despite what we've all been lead to believe--and at the risk of the FBI calling me a dual agent--Russia IS NOT a politically-repressed country of disgruntled people surviving on a daily diet of vodka and potatoes.

Russians are a proud, engaging, curious people, working their way through a complex cultural and economic transition. But don't take my word for it! Check it out for yourself. 7 Days in Russia contains 150+ surprising color photographs and uncensored comments from tons of ordinary Russian citizens and government officials.