To start with, please tell us how long you've been in Russia? Why did you decide to move there? I have been in Russia since the summer of 2014. In fact, I came a week or so after Ukraine shot that passenger plane down and blamed it on Russia. In the beginning, I would half-joke that I was the first refugee from America, but nowadays when Russians ask me - and they often do - I usually make vague noises about wanting to travel, mainly to avoid discussing it. As it turns out, it’s a surprisingly personal question that leads to more questions and me giving long-winded explanations where I feel like I’m pontificating or lecturing them. And frankly I have gotten tired of hearing myself talk.
To escape nightmare America move to Russia? Sounds like the lady is a glutton for punishment. With its history of slavery, i. e. serfdom, human rights suppression and militarism imho she couldn't have chosen a worse alternative. Okay maybe Haiti or North Korea. YMMV
Interesting interview. It kinda shows both sides. Things in America (and I suppose Europe) is becoming increasingly bad, on the other hand, being an expat is far from being paradise. I think, the general feeling I have, is that we in the West have no home anymore. The West is being taken away from us through mass immigration, cultural decadence, transgender stuff, censorship, "vaccine passport" madness, etc, on the other hand, going to a foreign place is hard too, and no panacea. Apparently Macron, literally a Rothschild employee and vaccinator maniac, was just reelected in France, so, there is not much hope that things will change for the best very soon. At this point, Namibia, or some desert island, is looking better and better.
Did she give up her American citizenship? If not, when did Russia change citizenship requirements? I disagree that "Russians are not chauvinists". In Russia white people are on top of the social hierarchy and white supremacy groups do indulge in violence on non-white people.
This is an especially interesting piece. I'm a cold war baby, studied Russian in HS and college (over half a lifetime ago) and have read and thoroughly enjoyed countless works of Russian literature. Also, being an avid chess player in my youth, I became quite familiar with the Soviet players who overwhelmingly dominated world chess for decades. You couldn't talk chess or read the literature without constantly being exposed to Soviet chess and Soviet players. But despite all that, I've never been to Russia; it was always on my short list of places I would go--but somehow "life got in the way" and now it may be too late.
I hope this woman continues to prosper. It's kind of weird how the West and Russia seem somehow to have passed one another in the night, where now Russia actually seems more aligned with a set of moral and religious values we used to look at as our "Western heritage." Russia in many ways is now more "western" than the West.
A very interesting and rather revealing interview. I don't wish to psychoanalyze, but it sounds like the lady is somewhat disappointed by her decision to move to Russia and simply exchange a drab existence in the US for a drab existence in Russia, and is attempting to rationalize it with politics.
Quite funny that she thinks Russians are "pretty bland". I would only point out that living a suburban life in a "forest far outside Moscow" might not lend itself to the most exciting social situations, or to particularly interesting people. In my limited experience with Russians, they have been more interesting than Americans, way more open and uninhibited, but that's probably because the Russians I hung out with were young urban students. So it just depends on the specific Russian milieu she's in.
She seems to be some kind of quasi-Communist with her references to "anti-Soviet quislings ". You can be against the looters and robbers of the anarchic 90s Russia, who were backed by the West, without longing for a return of the USSR. This is also I suspect the position of a majority of Russians.
She's right about Russians being rather direct. Russian humor is sardonic, cynical and often morbid. The Anglo world tends towards understatement and dissembling irony, as she indicates.
Very interesting. I would like to know more about how she met her husband, and more about her child. Thanks again for making my life broader through your work.
I am a prisoner in my own country. I'm not allowed, still, on trains or planes. However, I need to be honest to myself and not take the jab, regardless of it being inconvenient. I daydream about life in other countries, as I travelled extensively in my working life, I think the transition would not be a shocking one for me. I do have a wife to consider, as well as relatives, so my escape is through your adventures and this most enjoyable interview. My daydreams are more vivid because of these.
Nicely done and balanced interview. Thank you again, Linh, for what you do.
Jessie is refreshingly honest about Moscow. I expect that she would find Kyiv just as "dumpy." The Soviet era apartments are certainly thoroughly black streaked. The halls are narrow and dark in the elevators slow and creaky.
However, a substantial percentage of the population now live in modern apartments. Houses such as the one she is building becoming a bit more common. Canadian style architecture and building materials are pretty popular.
I'll put in a good word for "Herring under a fur coat." Shuba salad. I just returned from the market with said herring. The fur coat is shredded beets with raw onion. Lots of sour cream. If you have an appetite for fish – that taste like fish – it's pretty good.
Best of luck to you, Jessie, with the outcome of this war. Please wish us the same. We didn't want it anymore than you did. I suspect we would agree as to who the culprits are.
“And even if you do everything right and never question and follow all the rules, you still get a raw deal. Mysteriously “autistic” pincushion-kids, garbage food, debt slavery, thuggish cops, endless insurance policies, fees, fines and taxes that nickel and dime you, and now, beyond my wildest imagining, transvestite sexual clowns reading to your kids in the public library.“
Well, she nails it there; ticks off most every reason I GTFO.
Nice interview, and I’ve even at times I entertained the idea of living in Eastern Europe or Russia. Just look at where the truth-tellers need to go(Edward Snowden - and I’m sure Assange wishes he was there). I’ve only been to Odessa, and thought it was quite likable, but obviously now, it is a no go. I would like to visit lake Baikal someday - looks nice in pictures. Yea, Russia could work for me, but my Thai wife would freeze like popsicle.
To escape nightmare America move to Russia? Sounds like the lady is a glutton for punishment. With its history of slavery, i. e. serfdom, human rights suppression and militarism imho she couldn't have chosen a worse alternative. Okay maybe Haiti or North Korea. YMMV
Interesting interview. It kinda shows both sides. Things in America (and I suppose Europe) is becoming increasingly bad, on the other hand, being an expat is far from being paradise. I think, the general feeling I have, is that we in the West have no home anymore. The West is being taken away from us through mass immigration, cultural decadence, transgender stuff, censorship, "vaccine passport" madness, etc, on the other hand, going to a foreign place is hard too, and no panacea. Apparently Macron, literally a Rothschild employee and vaccinator maniac, was just reelected in France, so, there is not much hope that things will change for the best very soon. At this point, Namibia, or some desert island, is looking better and better.
Did she give up her American citizenship? If not, when did Russia change citizenship requirements? I disagree that "Russians are not chauvinists". In Russia white people are on top of the social hierarchy and white supremacy groups do indulge in violence on non-white people.
What a fascinating and lovely lady - and an outstanding interview. Thanks for sharing it.
This is an especially interesting piece. I'm a cold war baby, studied Russian in HS and college (over half a lifetime ago) and have read and thoroughly enjoyed countless works of Russian literature. Also, being an avid chess player in my youth, I became quite familiar with the Soviet players who overwhelmingly dominated world chess for decades. You couldn't talk chess or read the literature without constantly being exposed to Soviet chess and Soviet players. But despite all that, I've never been to Russia; it was always on my short list of places I would go--but somehow "life got in the way" and now it may be too late.
I hope this woman continues to prosper. It's kind of weird how the West and Russia seem somehow to have passed one another in the night, where now Russia actually seems more aligned with a set of moral and religious values we used to look at as our "Western heritage." Russia in many ways is now more "western" than the West.
A very interesting and rather revealing interview. I don't wish to psychoanalyze, but it sounds like the lady is somewhat disappointed by her decision to move to Russia and simply exchange a drab existence in the US for a drab existence in Russia, and is attempting to rationalize it with politics.
Quite funny that she thinks Russians are "pretty bland". I would only point out that living a suburban life in a "forest far outside Moscow" might not lend itself to the most exciting social situations, or to particularly interesting people. In my limited experience with Russians, they have been more interesting than Americans, way more open and uninhibited, but that's probably because the Russians I hung out with were young urban students. So it just depends on the specific Russian milieu she's in.
She seems to be some kind of quasi-Communist with her references to "anti-Soviet quislings ". You can be against the looters and robbers of the anarchic 90s Russia, who were backed by the West, without longing for a return of the USSR. This is also I suspect the position of a majority of Russians.
She's right about Russians being rather direct. Russian humor is sardonic, cynical and often morbid. The Anglo world tends towards understatement and dissembling irony, as she indicates.
Thanks for the interview, Linh.
Very interesting. I would like to know more about how she met her husband, and more about her child. Thanks again for making my life broader through your work.
I am a prisoner in my own country. I'm not allowed, still, on trains or planes. However, I need to be honest to myself and not take the jab, regardless of it being inconvenient. I daydream about life in other countries, as I travelled extensively in my working life, I think the transition would not be a shocking one for me. I do have a wife to consider, as well as relatives, so my escape is through your adventures and this most enjoyable interview. My daydreams are more vivid because of these.
Nicely done and balanced interview. Thank you again, Linh, for what you do.
Jessie is refreshingly honest about Moscow. I expect that she would find Kyiv just as "dumpy." The Soviet era apartments are certainly thoroughly black streaked. The halls are narrow and dark in the elevators slow and creaky.
However, a substantial percentage of the population now live in modern apartments. Houses such as the one she is building becoming a bit more common. Canadian style architecture and building materials are pretty popular.
I'll put in a good word for "Herring under a fur coat." Shuba salad. I just returned from the market with said herring. The fur coat is shredded beets with raw onion. Lots of sour cream. If you have an appetite for fish – that taste like fish – it's pretty good.
Best of luck to you, Jessie, with the outcome of this war. Please wish us the same. We didn't want it anymore than you did. I suspect we would agree as to who the culprits are.
Loved that. Great point of view. Thanks Linh.
“And even if you do everything right and never question and follow all the rules, you still get a raw deal. Mysteriously “autistic” pincushion-kids, garbage food, debt slavery, thuggish cops, endless insurance policies, fees, fines and taxes that nickel and dime you, and now, beyond my wildest imagining, transvestite sexual clowns reading to your kids in the public library.“
Well, she nails it there; ticks off most every reason I GTFO.
Nice interview, and I’ve even at times I entertained the idea of living in Eastern Europe or Russia. Just look at where the truth-tellers need to go(Edward Snowden - and I’m sure Assange wishes he was there). I’ve only been to Odessa, and thought it was quite likable, but obviously now, it is a no go. I would like to visit lake Baikal someday - looks nice in pictures. Yea, Russia could work for me, but my Thai wife would freeze like popsicle.