Natasha who is so full of fascinating facts and historical knowledge made us understand that Russia was never a communist state. It never went past socialism. Farms were owned by goverment and house holds were allowed a small, limited number of livestock which they could keep and use. Thus the term 'private' when she talks about 'private cows' takes on a whole new meaning. Now ordinary people are allowed to have whole heards. Like private houses too, as before land was owned by the government and people paid rent. But the government used all the money to provide free education, health services, subsidies for the poor and even free accomodation for those with big families. Now she says her rent is just so high it's difficult to maintain a good standard of living and now those who cannot afford to pay for education just don' get educated. As there was no equal pay, there were rich and poor, people got salaries according to their professions and ther jobs they did, thus not a communist state.
Anyway, my last evening in Russia couldn't have been more perfect. I sat with Natasha and lislot and her friend Nina who had just brought us deliciously sweet and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from her dacha. We talked about Buddhism in Russia, ate the delicious borch which Natasha had made for us and just laughed. It was great to experience the warm russian hospitality that I had been hearing about along the way. In fact they even packed me fresh tomatoes and cucumbers with bread for the train, helped me carry my bags to the station the next morning , bought me ice cream and made sure I was comforable in my carriage before we said goodbye.
my uncomfortable, unpleasant and uninspired arrival ito Ulan Ude turned into my three most real and fascinating days in Russia. I encountered a Russia that I did not know exsisted and leave here happy that I got to know this amazingly vast country from a little closer.
I'd love to know what you guys reading this think. Have I inspired anyone to take the train through Russia?
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