I remember, once in the 1980’s, when I was with the local newspaper, a group of Russians came to visit our town.
There were 3 men and 3 women of different professions. It was easy to see who was a ‘regular’ Russian and who was their KGB ‘companion.’
One of the places they wanted to see was the super market. It was mid-afternoon. As they walked down the long rows meat cases, one asked: “Do not people here like meat?”
I glanced at the cases brimming with meat and, puzzled, asked: “Why do you ask?”
“Well, these cases are still full and it’s late in the day.”
“Oh,” I explained, just as a employee wheeled out a full cart with stacks of more meat, “they are refilled all day.”
I astounded her. In Russia, the cases would have been empty by early morning and not refilled.
I struck up a friendship with one gal, an economist, and one day, we were able to shuck off her ‘watcher’ and we had a jolly good time as I took her to see anything she wanted, instead of sticking to the pre-arranged list.
She was amazed that we could go into one store and find things, like a pair of jeans, for $30 and then go across town to another store and fine the same pair on sale for $7.00 In Russia, price was set by gov’t and each store would have had the same price.(Jeans were all but impossible to find at any price in Russia then. She bought 2 pair and was estactic.)
She was from the Ukrain. I corresponed briefly and then got busy andlost contact. I’ve always regretted that as so much happened over there after that.
(Her name was also Svetlana)
maine-iac7, that is a cool story. Thanks...
When I interviewed Svetlana, it was on the afternoon of 9/11. And yes, she sees what we see.