Russia, your opinion

Russia is to be commended. In less than 15 years it went from a purely socialist economy into a haphazard capitalist economy. This caused great pain and reluctance. However, it did work (and a lot better than most countries would have done it).

But if you talk to Russian people they actually miss the Soviet times. Things were much more affordable. I visited Medeo in KZ. I was told that in the soviet times ordinary families went there regularly at weekends: their kids played on the amusement fairs, went skating etc. Now the place is virtually deserted: only the wealthy can afford to go there and they're not that many. The place is a ghost-town.

I learned about how in soviet times kids could go every Saturday, free of charge to weekend camps that concentrated on dancing, swimming, art etc. Parents would take their children, who loved to go for a whole day of fun, and mom and dad had some time to themselves. Those days are gone.

Russia is now the largest exporter of energy in the world. Yes, there is still rampant corruption (of a different kind) but I believe Russia is still in transition. We see anti-Putin demonstrations. Before, people would have been too afraid to demonstrate. Now they do. Surely that's a sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Russia is a diverse, beautiful country with many geological gifts. I wish her well.
Oh and by the way thanks for the wonderful novels: Oblomov, Yevgeny Onegin and that Schnedrin-thingy story about the crazy family... very funny!