Here I am in Murom! I have been here since Wednesday evening. It's pretty cool here because it's the oldest city in Russia, over 1100 years old! And the best part is my hostess. Her name is Anya and I am living with her and her husband, Sergei. (This is a photo of Anya and her cat, Alisa.) Anya and Sergei are in their 20s and are a perfect example of "New Russia."
Until 1991, the economic and political system in Russia was communism. This means that people could not own their own businesses or homes. The government owned everything, made sure everyone had a job, and paid everyone pretty much the same wages. People could choose to spend those wages however they liked, but there were not many choices because the government was the only producer of any goods. Democracy and capitalism came to Russia in 1991. It was a very difficult adjustment at first and still is hard for many people, but some people are doing well in this new economy. Sergei and Anya are an example of this. Sergei owns his own business. Anya just left the university with a diploma in social work, a field that did not exist in Russia until the early 1990s. She is going to continue her education to study and teach psychology. They own their own apartment and a car and eat at nice restaurants. It is nice to see people so young with such a bright future ahead of them.
Tonight we are going dancing at a club. I hope that I survive Russian club life. If I do not write again, please tell my story.
Until 1991, the economic and political system in Russia was communism. This means that people could not own their own businesses or homes. The government owned everything, made sure everyone had a job, and paid everyone pretty much the same wages. People could choose to spend those wages however they liked, but there were not many choices because the government was the only producer of any goods. Democracy and capitalism came to Russia in 1991. It was a very difficult adjustment at first and still is hard for many people, but some people are doing well in this new economy. Sergei and Anya are an example of this. Sergei owns his own business. Anya just left the university with a diploma in social work, a field that did not exist in Russia until the early 1990s. She is going to continue her education to study and teach psychology. They own their own apartment and a car and eat at nice restaurants. It is nice to see people so young with such a bright future ahead of them.
Tonight we are going dancing at a club. I hope that I survive Russian club life. If I do not write again, please tell my story.
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