A Report from Russia -- Part 4
Hello All,
I am finally in Irkutsk. Getting here has been very interesting, to say the least. The Great Adventure traveling across Russia began at Vladivostok. I reached Khabarosk 6 July. On 10 July we boarded a train to begin a three day trip to Ulan Ude. After an indescribable train ride and seven days later, we finally reached Ulan Ude 17 July, about 11:00 a.m.
Throughout this trip I cannot say enough nice things about the Russian people I have met. They are helpful, friendly and anxious to talk. Even though most of it is done with the use of my dictionary, we still are able to communicate. For the most part they are eager to welcome me to their country, most are very concerned that I am traveling alone as the feeling is that it is very dangerous to be on the road alone.
The people have a very difficult life, it seems to me. In the smaller towns, there appears to be no central water system. Water for home use is carried from the town well. All toilet facilities are outside. The streets are almost impassable in some areas and one has to be very careful when driving. I have seen manhole covers missing in the middle of a main street. In the small towns the streets are unpaved. Through all this the people maintain a sense of humor and hope that things will improve in the future.
Most of the goods people buy are from open air markets, street side vendors and small Kiosks that line the streets. The state stores have very little merchandise to offer. I have not seen a hardware store, auto parts store or furniture store. I am sure they exist, but I have not seen any. Please understand, I am not being critical only reporting what I see.
The Russian people are in a huge transition from their old system of a centralized, Communist economic system to a free market society and this transition will be very difficult over the next several years. Some people are very unhappy about what has happened since the inflation has reduced their buying power. For people living on a pension it has severely reduced their standard of living. Unemployment is high among the younger people as industries that once supported defense spending have closed down leaving many people without work. A transition to consumer goods manufacturing is just beginning. The capital to finance these industries is limited and the expertise needed to develop them may be scarce as well.
It seems to me, the amount of paper work needed to handle everyday problems and requests is a main stumbling block to progress. If this could be streamlined, the frustration level of the citizens might be considerably less and the governmental agencies would gain more respect. The rapid changes over the last several years have left many people worried about their future and the future of their children. People around the world can help to allay these concerns through offers of help in any way possible. The Russian people are the hardest working people I have ever seen and given the opportunity they will come through this hard transition period with a bright future. As people around the world realize what is happening here, the transition will be a lot easier.
The drive from Ulan Ude for the first part was through a large river valley with the river running into Lake Baykal. This is the largest fresh water body in the world holding about one sixth of all the fresh water in the whole world. I will get to spend the weekend on the west shoreline before I leave for Krasnoyarsk. There are high mountains to the south of the road that still have snow on the top of them. The forest here is mainly coniferous with some aspen and beach, the wild flowers are in full bloom now and it is one beautiful sight after another.
I spent the night at a highway police checkpoint and proceeded to Irkutsk the next morning, arriving at the Iris Hotel about 12:00 noon on 18 July. After I checked in, I started to try to find some way to get a message to the U.S. about the trip. I tried to hook up with MCI Mail in Moscow to no avail. I tried to call GSN (Global SchoolNet) but got the answering machine. My efforts ended late in the day with very little success so I went to bed early and had a good night's sleep for a change. I think the hot shower after 8 days without one helped a lot.
On Wednesday afternoon I got lucky, I was directed to the Academy of Science building adjacent to the hotel and found an office with a very nice American lady from Portland, Oregon who offered to send this message to GSN for me, HURRAH!!!!!! Finally in contact. You have the whole story for now.
Everyone take care of yourselves and do the right thing.
As Always,
Bubba and Roger