To say the person inside the opaque glass enclosure was stunned, physically flummoxed and surprised in the moment just before the security officers arrived to escort me to the guarded holding area, would be an understatement. And trust me, there’s been some stunned moments visible in the eyes of people who encountered me.
“You need to come with us,” was the end result of a brief conversation at passport control. Followed by “We need to ask you some questions.” A few hours later I exited onto the streets of the forbidden zone, with an ear-to-ear grin that would only be understood by those in my family who saw how it started as a child. However, before getting to that part of the story, let me begin with the end in mind.
This journey is not for those of worried disposition, and I do not recommend it for anyone who does not carry a strong stable constitution of snarky and pragmatically humorous outlook. In many ways this journey is exactly what you would expect, in other ways it is so completely the opposite it’s bizarre.
Y’all already know the motives and intents of how it started [Background] so, I’m going to skip the part about why I chose to do this, and instead focus on the stuff that’s likely of greater interest, the discovery stuff. I’m only here to find out the truth of stuff in Russia vs what we are led to believe.
To begin, I have found the majority of people do not understand the truth of real things and do not believe that its possible for an American to travel to Russia. Perhaps you would be surprised at the number of people who have bought into the pretenses sold by media and don’t think such a journey is physically possible.
The funny thing is, within the system of travel requests and travel permissions, nothing has changed; yet, everyone acts like everything has changed. It’s a weird dynamic to navigate a system that everyone -on both sides- believes no longer exists, but it does.
Almost all of the Russian visa centers, consulates and offices within the Western Zone, are no longer operable. For example, in the USA there are only two offices to submit an application to travel to the “forbidden zone.” One office in Washington DC another in New York. Neither accepts mail applications nor mailed documents, so that makes the logistics more challenging, but not impossible. It depends on how determined you are.
I should also add that some U.S. politicians have no idea what is legally possible. I say this because oddly some asked me to give them instructions on the process. (I have no idea why.) I should also note that everything in this process I’m describing is done with legitimate compliance, nothing is sketchy.
Current travel to the FZ is a little goofy; then again, it always was. You first have to get a letter of invitation – a strangely worded process from what I can only fathom was a former Soviet era approach that somehow remains in place. You get the letter of invitation from a quasi-official process. Keep in mind, everything RU is “quasi-something.”
So, you text a phone number +1(202) 436-XX55 [I filtered the number because I don’t want any unsuspecting knucklehead to try it out and get on some list, but if you want it – email CTH]. Within your text you need to give them your name, email address and approximate date for your travel. The travel voucher people will respond with a link to fill out a voucher application with details. Once you fill out and submit the form, they send you a bill. You pay the bill, and you get a travel voucher/invitation via pdf attachment. This is your “invitation.” The cost of the invitation depends on the type of travel visa you need.
After you get the travel invitation, you then fill out a lengthy VISA application form on a Russian consulate site. The questions are lengthy, detailed and generally you are giving them your life story. Then you print the application, attach your photograph, and you must take it to a Russian VISA center. Another quasi-governmental process.
In the USA you cannot mail the documents. You must physically take the visa application, travel invitation and your passport to Washington DC or New York. You pay the visa center to process your request. You must pay in cash. You leave the documents and your passport with the center, who then send everything to the consulate for review and/or visa approval. The center gives you a receipt with a consulate link to track your application.
You check the link provided on your receipt, and when you notice the process has returned to the visa center (a few weeks), you must then travel back to pick up your passport and visa. You do not know if you are approved or not until you pick up your passport and check. If yes, there is a full-page visa sticker inside. If no, then nothing, and you don’t get an explanation.
You can tell following the official and legal process is a little complicated, a little expensive (with travel) and annoying, but generally, it’s not unmanageable. From beginning to end, give yourself about a month to complete the tasks.
Once you have the visa, you can then plan travel. However, given the nature of the current politics, you cannot travel directly. You have to travel to a place where you can transition to travel into the RU. Turkey, a NATO member, but not an EU member state, is the hub most people use to transfer from the west to a flight into the Russian Federation.
Turkey, particularly Istanbul, is making a ton of money as an RU transit hub. Their economy is booming as the gateway into and out of the Russian federation. However, you don’t have to use Turkey; once you have an RU visa, you can fly into Russia from any Grey Zone country.
There are not many people doing this. During my trips to the visa centers, I could tell the only people there were operatives of various opaque three-letter agencies and some American contractors (some glowing brightly). The Russians and the USA agents/contractors all knew each other well and conversed with great ‘openly visible’ affection. It was like visiting a secret club where everyone else knew the rules except me. lol.. Seriously… it was casually funny.
This was a travel request process with great deliberateness, and I undertook it with extreme compliance for the detail needed. At the same time, I went through the process with a lighthearted approach and laughed at the silly stuff I discovered along the way. That humorous approach became very useful when the RU passport control officers, uniformed military, took me into the airport holding room for “questioning.”
Apparently, not many people are getting RU travel visas, and the arriving officers were a little surprised that everything was done “by the book” so to speak. After lengthy questioning (which was a little funny if you are not prone to intimidation), fingerprinting (took six guards in case I went full Jason Bourne on them), pictures (yes lots of them, the lineup kind) and general waiting while sitting on a green metal chair in an empty room while officers called other officers to find out what to do, I conjured up mental images of low-earth orbiting satellites suddenly activating and various computer networks coming online in dark and unused basements, the tone changed…. slightly.
I was escorted to passport check kiosk #47 for the friendly “welcome to Russia” part.
Big heavy stamp, thud SHIOO-WHACK noise!
“Wait, wha.., that’s it?… Da!
At this point the airport was generally closed, everything was dark, and as I descended the stopped escalator (now a stairs), I noticed my checked bag sitting on the floor in a big empty room at the end of a long-ago-stopped baggage claim conveyor belt.
I grabbed my bag, laughed at the hollow sound of the dark green/rusty exit door slamming behind me, and was greeted by a couple of laughing Ruskie wolverines sitting on the hood of a car eating pizza and smiling. “Comrade!“, funny – not funny.
Oh, and it’s the middle of April and snowing!
I’ll have much more later… Fascinating stuff about the WEST vs RU communication networks, blocked online systems, banking etc in the next article.
Oh, and remember how much you paid attention to the daily happenings of the U.S. war in Afghanistan? That’s the analogy for how the average Russian I have encountered thinks of Ukraine, which is to say – not much really. There’s far more discussion of Ukraine in the USA than there is in Russia.
Another odd little social detail I noticed. I’m in the most culturally progressive, young, urban, hip, coffee shop type geography in the country (St Petersburg); everyone has a newer model cell phone, and I noticed something different immediately. People don’t walk around attached to their devices here, you just don’t see it. People physically talk to each other, use phones for actual phone calls, and at dinner there’s no one with their head in their cell phone in the entire restaurant. It’s like 1990’s USA.
Ask me anything in general terms and I will try to respond shortly. Remember, one question per comment.
I am envious. I could kick myself in the rear for not visiting Russia when I lived in Europe in my 30s. (I was in Germany when “the wall”” came down.)
I am too long in the tooth to do make that journey now. I love hearing your impressions.
Hello Sundance, I often wonder what the Russian people think about our corrupt Govt. Are they generally aware we hate our politicians for being traitors to the American people? For instance, our open border policy that the majority of thinking American’s don’t agree with? Wishing you a fun and safe trip! We love you!
The Russians have two perspectives on Americans.
If they like us, they somewhat pity us.
If they dislike us, they somewhat spite us.
Meh, most seem ok….
Thanks for the quick reply. Safe travels Sir!
Did you visit Russia because the Tucker interview with Putin was so interesting?
USA politics. It seems the USA media is reporting that Speaker Johnson failed non neo liberal cons. Yet there is suppose to be a loan in the Ukraine deal Trump asked for as compromise. It is convoluted.
Have you seen any/many people who are “visibly Jewish”?
What does “visibly jewish” look like?
❣️
Oh, you know they wear their orthodox clothing, little beanies and say “meshuganah!” and “Oy, Veh!” a lot,….lol.
Of course… and while slurping chicken soup
In one of the news reports today, in London, at an anti Hamas protest, a protestor was thretened by a Bobbie for arrest for looking “too Jewish.” I think this is what Meshulam is referring to.
The “too Jewish” look was due to the man wearing a yarmulke or skull cap, which is a fairly obvious sign if that’s what he means.
For clarification, and even worse, I believe the term the Bobby used was “openly Jewish.”
Seems that they have been put on notice that now they have to hide their religion when near any protesting “middle easterners”.
Edit: It may be a good idea anyway if you’re not into conflicts. However dictums like that should never be forced.
You are correct, I can say from personal knowledge that there are plenty of Jews in Russia. Years ago we wondered and asked why they remained as it seemed so hard for them to enjoy the freedoms we imagined we had in America. We are not wondering that anyone and their reply to us that they think we overestimate our freedoms makes much more sense in 2024 than it did in say 1984.
Bingo, many thanks
IDK about the visible part but I certainly have met plenty of Jewish “refugees” from there but others stay and seem to do well so I am confused about this. In the TC/Putin interview he mentioned Nazis in Ukraine which I thought was to reach Western minds because as far as I can tell Russia also has plenty of them. (As do we.). Refugees from any nation can tell of others who pretended their nationality just to get to US. How real is it? Or has it changed over the last couple decades?
Chasidic or wearing Stars of David. This was a serious question and I’m not sure why it got the reaction it did. My commenting “name” and frequent content should be understood as indicative of why I posed the question. OK never mind sorry to disturb this conversation worrying about whether Jewish people are any freer there than they are here to display pride in our identity
One more thing or two to add on this.
Maybe 20 years ago I went to Home Depot here in the Greater Boston area. I happened to be wearing a tshirt with the name of my Jewish congregation on it because I was helping them repair something in their building. I took a ration of poop from the associate I spoke to over the handle I had on my shirt. I’ve gone to that Home Depot probably a thousand times since without issue but never again when wearing that tshirt or anything else. I take the same approach everywhere else: do not go out in public wearing things that can lead to an uncomfortable situation or worse.
More recently at my residence in Newton, MA, last week for the fourth time I had an I Stand With Israel sign stolen from my front lawn. My next door neighbor’s Black Lives Matter and In This House signs remain undisturbed in the 5th year on their front lawn. Newton has this reputation of being a “Jewish” town (our community comprises less than one-third of the city population but that is its reputation because it is at that so much higher than all but one other town in the Greater Boston area). Between that and what I observed when my kids were being “educated” in the oh so vaunted schools is that Newton is actually a place where it is best to refrain from displaying my Jewishness.
I believe it is now safer to be visibly Jewish in Moscow than in Manhattan. The ugly truth freedom brings.
I accept the world as it is and correspondingly my responsibility to help counter the vicious depravity of the Marxists and their RINO courtesans.
I am a Christian and will keep you and other Jewish folks in my prayers.
God bless you.
Do your Russian Wolverines know about the just passed bill to steal $300 billion of Russian dollars via so called war reparations and what do they and you think?
I’ll find out and let you know.
Hello Sundance. I hope your trip is amazing! I don’t post much but I am curious about Russia. I am not a people person at all. I love my country living and love hunting and fishing. I was curious about outdoor sports in Russia.
Q. Does anyone in Russia ever talk about hunting or fishing?
lolol….. That’s all they talk about in the areas outside the metropolitan areas. Outdoor life, hunting, fishing, sports are big deals here in Russia. It’s a cultural thing.
Thank you Sundance. I wish you an amazing trip.
There are some Russian fellows who put wild crafting/bush crafting videos on YouTube.
Really interesting!
I have seen Youtube videos about this as well as searching for alluvial gold in rivers in the warmer months
In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s the great proverbial “Iron Curtain” veiled the Soviet Block from democratic nations. In the late 1980s President Reagan orchestrated the penetration and collapse of that “Iron Curtain”. Many of us who served in those years believed that the Iron Curtain had been burned up in the fall of the Soviet Communist Ideology. Little did we realize that the “Iron Curtain” wasn’t destroyed in the late 1980s, it was simply crated up by the Deep State insiders in the State Department and “3 letter” agencies in the US with the help of deluded globalist billionaires only to be brought forth in the 21st Century as a means to destroy the greatest wealth and freedom producing nation and idealogy in the history of mankind. The enemy is no longer the Russian on the other side of the wall, the enemy is now the globalist billionaire bent on controlling the masses through the newborn East German Stasi…..aka as the FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA, DEA etc. We have met the enemy and he is us. A sad day for the nation and its patriotic citizens.
No, the enemy is not “us.”
It is the Globalist tools of Satan.
It’s just that a lot of them live in the West.
With no sexist intentions in mind, and as a normal heterosexual male, the Russian women appear to look, on the whole, absolutely spectacular. Do you agree, Sundance?
My brother went to St Petersburg and fell in love with a stark raving beautiful green eyed red head Russian woman. My entire statistical survey is a population of one, and I can say, emprically, yes
Putin said it, Russia has the most beautiful,…women of the evening..lol.
That’s a loaded question.
I will defer opinion on aesthetics.
Diplomatic answer, lol.
How are you paying for your expenses while in Russia?
Advance deposits into accounts of people who can transfer funds into RU accounts to cover.
Is there anything specific (that you wish to share) that I can pray about for you while you’re there?
Free! 😀
Thank you so much!
What is the cost for a hotel room? In 2008 when I visited Moscow we paid $700 per night for a Basic Hyatt type room.
No where near that expensive. More akin to around $50 usd for a well appointed suite. RU people cannot fathom $700 night, that’s just ridiculously expensive. Like two months of rent in a nice apartment.
Is that a Jeep?
Lots of U.S. vehicles here.
Outside of Government types, people from what other countries are visiting Russia?
Chinese and Asian countries mostly.
Sundance do you get any vibes from the Russian people that they are fearful the installed one in our White House is really going to get us into WW3?
I pray for safe travels where ever you go.
Are Americans living there? (Expatriates. Not government types.)
I have heard stories of Americans being given exceptional incentives to move here, mostly in the tech industry.
Sundance, would you say Russian society and culture is more wholesome than in the USA?
A much more significant emphasis on family, with a big push on young people and children. The Russian people overall are very family oriented, which is a relatively new phenomena from what I can tell.
What….like Mr. Putin gave them back their church and their love of family?
Well that little stinker.
This just gets better by the minute. There’s nothing like perspective.
Thank you so much for this.
This is as far as duty will allow me to read at present. I’ve gotta go move some sheep.
My question is: what modes of transportation are/will you be using to get around?
Keep it coming Sundance.
Amen times a zillion and prayers up.
The Lord be with you and keep you safe.
“the only people there were operatives of various opaque three-letter agencies”
This comment blows my mind!
SD, does this type of experience also blow your mind its all such a game?
Yes. Totally caught me off guard. and YES, like a game that they laugh about. It’s as if they know the ruse of narratives, each with an intent to undermine the other.
The intel operatives all seem to really like each other, it is difficult to explain. They all seem to know the government is playing a game of east vs west, and yet they go along with it.
Its like it’s professional wrestling. You got the heel and theirs the good guy. They beat each other up for the show. But afterwards ,they will have dinner together in a local restaurant.
Sounds like Congress, Democrats”vs.” Republicans.
Sounds a bit like Hopscotch that Matthau movie from the late 70’s where they all the operatives knew each other.
Reading the name on the building above reminded me that St. Petersburg was changed to Leningrad during the era of the Soviets. Hero City Leningrad on the building.
Statues of Lenin are very prominent although the people don’t seem to notice them.
Have you encountered any of the old pensioners, that regretted the collapse of the Soviet system,..?
I’m suspecting that the lifespan was shorter for many of that generation living there?
I visited the Soviet Union with a group in 1986 from West Germany, and it was much less complicated. I remember we couldn’t bring in smokes, magazines, etc. Befriended by young people who wanted to trade their pretty laquer boxes for our sneakers and swatch watches. We did. We weren’t followed (that I’m aware if), but our group was followed during another trip to East Germany.
God, Bless our Russian sisters and brothers.
And on earth, peace on whom His favor rests.
I’ve been inn awe of you for many years but you’ve just kicked it up a notch.
Many prayers for a safe journey.
Question: Is a US tourism visa only valid for a designated timeframe or can it be open=ended, indefinite timeframe?
I believe on page 1 he says it’s a 3 year time frame.
TY. Just read it. Missed a full page of comments prior to posting.
Skip above Q. Already answered.
New Q: Can US citizen on tourism Visa, who is financially sustained for entire visit, do their own work if not being paid by RU?
One can get the most up-to-date information on tourist, and other, visas here…
https://washington.mid.ru/en/consular-services/citizens-usa/visa-to-russia/tourist-visa/
Even with the current tensions, that’s light years ahead of when I went there where we had to pick 30 days when applying, and not arrive one second earlier nor depart one second later, and check in with OVIR or otherwise register our visa locally with the police upon arrival.
Just to be clear, are you currently responding to these questions, from Russia, or are you back in the U.S. and answering retrospectively?
He’s in Russia.
Said he’s going to a museum next week while there.
yeah, o.k. so much for”there are no dumb questions” (only dumb questioners?)
Nuh uh 😜
St Petersburg museums are beautiful
I’m sitting in my kitchen in St Petersburg, and it’s no problem being online from the RU
I guess it was just difficult to wrap my jead around it, that you are posting to CTH, from Russia.
Grateful for your efforts and insights. God put you, and us, here in this time and place for a reason.
Have you heardof/communicated with Kirill and Nikolay of Russians With Attitude? They would be interested in wolverines. Telegram: https://t.me/s/RWApodcast
I found when living in Britain that Brits usually made the distinction between the Americans they encountered whom they generally liked and the US government they neither liked or trusted.
Have you gotten any sense of that dichotomy in your conversations with Russians?
Thank you.
Yeah. This is a very familiar question. Overall I would say the Russian people are intellectually very cognizant of the difference between the government and the people.
Perhaps this is because the Russian people were not like their oppressive government during the Soviet era, so now they understand that various governments’ can/do act one way, but the people of the nation are another way entirely.
That’s how they seem to look at Americans. Like we take stuff for granted, and they are jealous of the capitalism that has always existed in our culture. It is more difficult for the average Russian to be an entrepreneur, than it is for the average American. This they see as something we take for granted and they’re probably correct.
Remembering Mr Putin addressing Western populations assuring them it was their leaders, not them, who were the provocateurs.
If Russians only knew how envious we are of their cleanliness, their churches, their music, their culture, their reverence for their history, their fervent nationalism…
Please give any you speak to our regards and our prayers for their well being.
Thank you.
Just wonder if any of the Russians express opinions about President Trump?
BTW thanks for all your work and posts here!
Sundance answered a comment to that effect earlier, seems they get it.
We adopted our son in the fall of 1993 from a Russian orphanage in a city about 70 miles southeast of Yekaterinburg (in Sverdlovsk oblast) in the Urals. The exact timing was unfortunate, as we returned to Moscow from Yekaterinburg the day before the Constitutional Crisis turned violent and Yeltsin and the army attacked the Russian parliament. It was a surreal experience, putting our two year old son down for a nap in the apartment where we were staying, with the sound of automatic gunfire in the distance. I recall looking out the window and seeing a number of pedestrians, including a babushka carrying a shopping bag, walking along the sidewalk as though nothing unusual were happening, despite the sustained gunfire in the background.
The Russian people I met on that trip were uniformly warm and welcoming. The family I stayed with while in Yekaterinburg was wonderful–an elderly couple, their widowed daughter-in-law and their seven year old granddaughter. Their only son had been killed in action in Afghanistan the year before. I was touched and honored when they took to me to the cemetery to visit his grave.
Sundance, enjoy your time in Russia. It’s an amazing country with a difficult and complex history–but there is no rational reason that it should be our enemy. We are being gaslit by the “Russia–Bad!” narrative created and relentlessly pushed by our IC and their handmaidens in the propaganda media.
Do you hear as much Jew hatred in Russia as you hear in America?
No, at least not in the social circle of my current familiarity. Religion is not as divisive here. People don’t seem to focus on it as an identity. They look at people as they present themselves and make determinations, some brutally obvious determinations, based on a very non pretending outlook.
The average Russian is brutally honest about stuff. They don’t use a lot of words and it is challenging to talk about some things because honestly as a westerner we can be offended by the honesty of their language. If they don’t like something, they will say it directly, no hemming or trying to use polite words to say the obvious.
When a Russian doesn’t like something, or if they are disappointed by an outcome or service, they tell the person exactly why they think the outcome is bad – it’s like brutal honesty.
Like saying, “I would tip you, but you are really not good at your job. Get better at it and you will make more money.” … and they say this stuff openly. At first, it’s a little weird, almost bordering on offensive. But after a little while you learn to appreciate the honesty of it.
Heavens I have always been accused of being brutally blunt to the point that people think I’m joking because they could not believe I said it out loud. Should check if I have Russian ancestors.
Me too, and I’m Hungarian.
DA!
I’m like that. I stood inline at a UK bank once and said out loud “Where are all the British people!”. It was like Afghanistan in there. Face wraps, body wraps, even the staff.
That way of speaking by the Russian folks about the truth of things, and not being concerned about hurting anyones feelings, but just saying things like they were; used to be quite common “Back in the day”, when I was younger & when folks “Called ’em like they saw them”, rather than be worried about what others thought of their words & observations. ( IME- 1960s & 70s into the early/mid 80s)
I am going to have to quantify that personal experience I think, with my living around & working more around rural folks, than folks who were city/suburban. That could possibly be part of those experiences.
(I do know my time being in the USMC also had a lot to do with such things, since in that circle of military & military related folks, as we did not mince words either, amongst ourselves or those who were around us, regardless of the relationships. We just had no time for BS. Straight to the point in almost everything.)
Perhaps that is part of why the Russian folks speak more honestly & openly.
They have not been exposed to folks who worry about someones “feelings” & just think it is best to say what is the truth & let the chips fall where they may.
The Russian folks have had a history of other Non-Russian folks “getting into their business & trying to take them over”, mostly by force and that can make for some pragmatic viewpoints & the need/desire not to mince words as well.
Regardless, I admire & perhaps envy your travels & experiences.
Thanks very much for sharing them with all of us~!
GOD Bless ya & Be safe~!
That brutal honesty is my cup of tea.
Sounds familiar as the Russian ballet teachers in the U.S. have this reputation among their students.
Also, the Slavic languages can seem guttural to westerners due to inflection and pronunciation; they often seem ‘angry’ when in reality are not intended that way. I noticed it markedly when my interpreter or girlfriend would ‘switch’ from either Russian or Ukrainian to English.
I got the honesty but had to learn that there was generally no meanness or brutality behind it, something different from the violence I was exposed to when young in the U.S. where words were often followed by violence. It took some getting used to.
Hello Sundance.
Maybe I missed this but have read the site for years. While i pray you will be safe and I appreciate all the work you do my question is NOT related to this trip you are on.
My question is why are you not in Trump’s orbit? Advisor? Helper?
You seemed to have worked on the Hill before.
Trump is surrounded by people who seem to have a vested interest in keeping him somewhat in check.
I have explained to many people in the Trump orbit that his instincts are much better than theirs. Trump doesn’t really need advisors, and those around him seem to emphasize stopping him from following his instincts. It’s weird.
When left alone, I think all of Trump’s decisions are very good. However, he defers to subject matter experts and that leads to some negative outcomes.
wow thanks so much for that. I always wonder. So really you can’t GET to him via the worldly blockers. well you get to us and i am thankful for that.
🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯 🎯
Sundance, what does the average Russian think of America and Americans?
Scroll the prior responses. Answered quite a bit.
Sundance, do you know the comparative salaries/wages of workers there? Can families get by just on Papa’s income or do most wives/mothers work as well?
The average Russian family can live very comfortably on around $2,000 USD per month. That’s enough to cover a families needs very well. How many people it takes to generate that income depends on the skills of the individual within the family.
Sundance, do you have a sense of school quality in Russia? Do the kids learn history, science, math, Russian at an early age instead of the woke propaganda our schools feed our children in lieu of the aforementioned?
Education is a big push in Russia and the curriculum is very strict. By USA standards the Russian schools are very challenging, and it appears to be of great focus of the government. The education is very encompassing.
There are vocational training centers for young people who want to learn a skill. The centers are free and you can take classes in just about anything you can think of. These centers are available to people up to about mid-twenties.
Thank you for answering my questions. I hope you have a fascinating, safe, and rewarding trip.
Thank You Sundance…
Are the people aware of our uncontrolled border..? Are the people aware of the betrayal and invasion we currently face..? Why do I think our prosperity has ended and theirs is just starting..
God Speed Sundance
People in Russia cannot fathom uncontrolled immigration. Their border and immigration security systems are extreme by USA standards. Also it is almost impossible for a Russian to get a USA visa, so they don’t comprehend the open border when contrast with the difficulty of gaining a visa.
My dad was put on the State for care because his mother, an immigrant from the Russian empire bore him “illegitimately” and was unable to provide for him (she already had at least 4 other children). His birth certificate says “father unknown.”
When my mom married dad, she pursued finding his birth mother and did eventually succeed. This resulted in us (while I was teenager) going to dad’s half-brother’s (and his wife and son) house for dinner and my dad and I going to his natural birth mother’s funeral in 1969.
Long story short, dad’s half/step family did not embrace him or us and that was the end. So all my life after that, I was determined to visit Russia, to see “those” people, and see if I could find roots.
I was able to get to Russia in 1996. I actually applied for a VISA in 1995, but it then took another year to get it approved.
I had not much money, and my “Russian Language” teacher (at my town’s high school, who gave classes in Russian language) was able to arrange with her friend who was still living in Russia, for me to stay with her mother-in-law, for $10.00/night. Like I said, i was money-deficient. The mother-in-law was thrilled to get the $10.00/night for a 2 week’s stay.
Wnen I arrived, and the family collected me at the airport, the first order of business, before I even went to said Mother-in-law’s apartment, was to be registered at their local Police Station (St. Perersburg). I thought it was funny, because I am a NOBODY and only went there to experience Russian life and see if I could find any connections to my ethnicity,
As it turned out, I found no family connections, but had the awesome experience of living in the outskirts of St. Petersburg with a wonderful older woman, who took me to The Hermitage, Catherine the Great’s Palace, and to the Kirov Ballet (which I believe has since sold out) to see the ballet Swan Lake, on the eve of my 45th birthday. The theater was so classically beautiful, champagne flowed in between the acts, and the performance was perfect.
Most days, I took the local bus to St Petersburg Square and hung around the “artist’s corner.” I also got to see helicopters replacing the Cross on a cathedral that had been removed in the days of communism.
I also took the midnight train from St Pete to Moscow, even though my yostess begged nme no to go there. She was adamant that it was too corrupt, and anything could happen to me there. I refuted her and explained that there was NO WAY I could go back to the USA without a trip to Moscow. n She understood but was still against it. So I decided to go anyway; she took me to the train station and wished me well. She also gave me one of her head-scarves, to help me stay warm.
The overnight train was interesting. I chose a “sleeping cabin.” The cabin had 2 bunk beds. I was in one bunk bed (the upper, and kept my boots on) and 2 guys from The Netherlands took the bunks opposite mine. They were great bunk-mates and helped to explain the ways around Moscow.
\In Moscow, I signed up for a waling tour and a bus tour. Both were super. Then it was night-time for dinner. I went to a small side street that seemed to have very nice establishments. I chose one and it was awesome: I sat down at my table and just after I placed my order, qa voice from a nearby table asked if I was earting alone. I said I was, and they suggested that I join them, in a very friendly way. I agreed. So I got to meet all 4 of them; a couple of dutch, a Dutch National living in an African Country, and I think somebody else who was Dutch but living elsewhere. They were big-time partyers (is that a word?) and nice as nice can bge. Then I had to leave to get my train back to St Pete.
I know this was a too-long post, but I felt I needed to share my experience in Russia. If you read this, thank you for your time. If you skipped it, I don’t find fault or blame you. God bless us.
I would love to go but need medical scooter – can’t do all that walking. I’ve heard that public bathrooms are few and far between as well. Someone I knew who went in early ‘80’s didn’t have so nice an experience as others have written here around that time period. They didn’t follow the rules and really went to find family not to see the sights. So they ran afoul of the government and ended up in interrogation and then hospital. They never found family or saw very much of the beauty there.
Apparently, a lot has changed in the past 30 years. The social judgement is not as strong as you convey.
A charming, heart warming story. Thanks for sharing.
That piece of your history was really interesting, Rita. Thanks for sharing.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post–not too long and thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful & beautiful experience!
Thank you for sharing.
Sundance (last question): Would an ex-pat be happy there (I should ask Ed Snowden)– in other words, I am asking about quality of life, assuming one could cash out assets here and retire there. The way things are going here, I am wondering about a freer country. (Only 1/2 joking)
Thank you in advance for your answers.
IF you are Americanized you would not like Russia, it’s not as modern and you would find much of the lifestyle too slow and cumbersome.
If you just want to be left alone, live a small unassuming life and are comfortable with a simple life then perhaps it would be okay, but remember Russians have to ask for permission to leave the federation, even for vacations or trips. There’s always a need to ask permission to do something here, where in the USA you just do it.
So far, at least not yet that permission must be asked to do somerhing.
Currently, Sundance, currently.
That answer is the center of gravity for many of us here. I fantacize about moving there. But that balloon just popped. Thanks for the reality check.
I think that I would be just fine except for my physical limitations.
It depends on what one is used to IMO. I was used to rural life in the U.S. so found life in the regions away from the big cities to be little different from what I experienced locally in the U.S., compensating for the quite different economies of the time, something Sundance has apparently related has changed markedly since I was there in the 90’s.
Still, even back then when I had an apartment in the city, good stores were within walking distance, as were the farmer’s markets, and walking to the opera or symphony or circus was normal fare. For myself, with western dollars, prices were dirt cheap but not so for locals making local wages. That would’ve been an adjustment. Perhaps that’s less so now.
IMO there is no nirvana; there’s life. If one finds the overall fit to speak to them, that’s it. I’ve found it in the forests of Oregon. It could have been in the foothills of the Urals or the castle region of West Ukraine or pick your place in the FSU.
Only way to know is to go IMO. Boots on the ground. I spend about six years there off and on. In retrospect I could’ve married my girlfriend and enjoyed a good life there. That’s how life goes.
One question:
Why do people in Russia know who you are, why does the FBI know who you are,why does everyone in DC know who you are, but you conceal your identity from your followers and supporters on this site?
Aren’t you and the rest of us doing the same? For personal security?
no
So, your name really is littleflower481?
SNAP! As my students would say. I was thinking the same thing!
Is your name Sundance?
😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣 😂
Get ready to be called mean.
😏
Great question!
Then why aren’t you using your real name? Who are you to deem Sundance should if you aren’t using your name? Put up or shut up.
And my name isn’t Sundance or MaineCoon or itsy, bitsy littleflower481..
don’t comment very often; but when I do, I always use my real name. I appreciate all the comments regardless of any nomenclature. This site is a precious treasury. Stay safe Sundance.
Hi John, My comment was directed to littleflower481, which was demanding that Sundance reveal his identity. It’s not littleflower’s place to repeatedly make that demand. Like you, I too appreciate comments regardless of any nomenclature.
I think the the real “little flower” would never bother with such a question. she’d only wish Sundance well and be grateful for his good heart.
Is your name Sundance?
Why not ask him for his Social Security number while you are it?
Would you prefer it to be Butch Cassidy? LOL
I think the premise of your question is wrong.
I love the information and shared experiences. I don’t care about anything else. People share what they find informative or helpful. Hell, we might find out we’re cousins– and I have enough of them! (Stolen from JoeDan)
Please explain.
Interesting that so many others decided to respond to my question which was for you.
Thanks for responding.
To others, is your name Sundance?
Ill just say this.
If you’ve been here a long time, and pay attention, you would know his name. Most dont though……
As others have said, no one here uses their real name, as far as I know. That in itself should be enough for you to understand….
I don’t need to know his real name.
I am blessed that he has gone to the trouble and effort and expense to provide this oasis of fellowship and hope for the rest of us.
May God richly reward Sundance and all the fellowship here.
Yes, I remember discovering his name, and have since completely forgotten it. Unimportant.
I have difficulty with rote memorization of the arbitrary and capricious.
I don’t often remember names, but I know who people are.
Too many quackers on the streets wanting to make a difference with an easy target. Too many with voices in their heads.
Is your name Sundance?
Seems to me you are a garden variety troll, or just an a*****e…..
Its nunya….
Seems that your name is ‘Johnny One Note” – xx
You are either tiresome or drunk.
Possibly both.
I’ll confess to a little vicarious enjoyment besides the more important lessons. All the Cold War years over there (and in Berlin back in the cowboy days) and you’re going to do a bucket list item for me. I’ll be listening to the lessons though, for sure.
“laughing Ruskie wolverines” You have a fine turn of phrase, really.
Thank you for this.
Do the people there discuss the war in Ukraine and what is their general feeling about it. Do they have a sense of when it will finish?
Said about like our discussions of the war in Afganistan when it was happening; not much.
The Russian people talk about the Ukraine war as much as the average American talked to their social network about the U.S versus Afghanistan war. It’s a conversation that only happens if you bring it up.
Most people are primarily concerned with making a living and taking care of a family. Did you find this to be true there?
Absolutely. The Russians I have met all focus on the quality of their life and try to find things to bring them fulfillment and joy. They are no different than industrious Americans in that regard.
They seem to be very pragmatic and don’t spend time dreaming about things that seem out of reach. Perhaps that’s why they don’t smile as much…. not sure yet.
Not surprised. Sound like decent people.
….and it is only brought up here when another multi-billion dollar laundry bill is passed by congress, gifting Ukraine and those who profit from it.
Sundance I am so looking forward to your reporting on this great adventure!! Thank you from all the wolverines here at cth!! Peace and love!
Edward from Russia:
Do the people there realize that the American PEOPLE do NOT want war…with them, or anyone else?
Asked/answered…
Why aren’t other “journalists” and news organizations doing what you are doing Sundance?
(For example- Steve Bannon, Joe Rogan, the Alternative Media and so on)
TC did, for others probably too much trouble to do, or just not their schtick.
Fear is the reason. Basically.
There are a lot of very good reasons not to outline the scale of U.S Government lying. There are a lot of risks in doing it.
Tucker went to Russia (after my first unofficial trip) and you will note TC’s geopolitical footprint is seemingly following my travel pattern. TC is getting information that’s leading him toward revelations that you have read on these pages for years. I am no longer a wingnut.
You have never been a wingnut.
Never.
They may all be wingnuts, but you? Never.
Yes. You’ve “de-siloed” Tucker.
No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 6:24)
Tucker Carlson said congressmen were “terrified” that intelligence agencies would frame them with “kiddie p*rn” if they were to oppose reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Thats the excuse and they’re sticking to it.
It is very odd to me that we are talking about visiting Russia as if we are still living in the 1970s. I thought everything was pretty much “come and go as you please,” or, did JoeBama’s Silly Sanctions™ put an end to that? I have not paid much attention to the US-Russia civilian travel situation. In LA, I hear Russian spoken all the time, everywhere. This is all ridiculous.
The Obama administration in combination with the Biden administration purposefully put a new cold war wall around Russian relations with the USA. Travel to Russia was impeded by this foreign policy directive.
In my opinion, that groundwork was done to lay the groundwork for triggering Western sanctions, which were really financial mechanisms designed to put walls around the USA dollar and keep Americans locked in. The inflation we are experiencing is directly related to this financial system. The rest of the world doesn’t feel inflation like the USA.
Our currency is intentionally being destroyed, and the quality of life in the USA is being lowered.
That’s the core of the issue and you don’t seem to notice it.
I notice it. The quality of food is going downhill. And it costs more. Thank you for giving us a peek at your travels. Looking forward to more insight from you.
Safe travels.
Colleen: Related to the quality/cost of food going downhill, I recently saw several videos talking about Wal-Mart groceries, and how the weight listed on the packages (primarily meat, cheese, etc.) are higher than the actual weight of the product. They would show the label that says 2 lbs @ 3.75/lb, but then put it on the scale in the produce section and it only weighs 1.42 lbs, but they’re charging you for 2 lbs of food. Makes me wonder what other stores are doing that (I’m assuming primarily nation-wide chains rather than local mom-n-pop stores), and why more people aren’t aware of it happening. I also wonder what would happen if I went into the store, weighed all these items for the correct weight and asked them to correct the pricing on them before purchasing. Just my 2 cents.
I routinely weigh the pre-bagged produce.
Sundance, you mentioned tech jobs are highly sought, I’m in industrial sales. What about those types of jobs in RU?
Pax Christi Vobiscum.
If you have industrial knowledge or a manufacturing background, IMO it should be easy. Pure sales, IDK. Also, depends on where and the target audience.
In any event, in-country, you’d need to be competent in at least Russian, speaking and writing.
I used to help my interpreter on technical manufacturing and engineering translations when she was working for Russian/Ukrainian oil companies and the government there. Technical translation was often hard and, having worked in the oilfield services business and owning a machine shop at the time, I could explain complex concepts to her in simple language that she could translate or interpret depending on the situation.
The good news is with the internet it’s easy to get a lay of the land and connect with FSU business people. I’ve noted some have moved their operations to neighboring countries during the special military operation and western sanctions. However, that’s always in flux. Making contacts would be primary. That’s what I did back in the 90’s, through the American ex-pat community in the FSU.
I’m glad I read the entire thread first. My questions have all been answered.
The topic I don’t see covered is medical care, the quality and availability of it.
Given that you note how organic and high quality the food is, I’m assuming their doctors are not just pushing pills for China/Big Pharma?
Whatever you feel like saying on the subject of medical care there is appreciated.
Great question, hopefully can be answered without the need to actually,…experience Russian medical care, first hand.
Safe travels my friend.
So how’s the food?
Sundances descriptions so far, have my mouth watering!
Do the people of Russia know who Bill Burns is?
Our CIA director, former Ambassador . He’s the one that told them Ukraine could join NATO, yes?
As I recall it was VP wordsalad Harris.