[luvbach1]

I was in St Petersburg in October 1996. I observed a young soldier in a tattered uniform begging on the street; I saw a a woman drop to her knees in supplication for alms on the subway; I saw families selling their linens and silverware at curb sides; I rode the elevator in my hotel with very young, heavily made-up prostitutes on their way to service clients. Are things different now?

[Kartographer]

"I was in St Petersburg in October 1996. I observed a young soldier in a tattered uniform begging on the street; I saw a a woman drop to her knees in supplication for alms on the subway; I saw families selling their linens and silverware at curb sides; I rode the elevator in my hotel with very young, heavily made-up prostitutes on their way to service clients"

Just like a weekend in Detroit, just less lead in the air.