A distinction between people and politics…

Another great but cold day here in Samara. I know it’s typical of a Minnesotan to talk about the weather but in this case it’s justified.

I’ve really enjoyed my time here in town. It was a nice change of pace to leave behind the giant cities of the past weeks for the more intimate confines of central Russia. Today we spoke with the directors of local non-profit working on historical building and cultural preservation. They have received financial support from USAID and other western groups to promote their work. They spoke highly of American people and somewhat disapprovingly of recent political changes in the US. Many people have made this distinction between people and politics.

Later in the afternoon we had the tables turned on us and were invited to be interviewed about The Listening Project for a Russian news magazine. It was a bit surreal to answer questions after weeks of asking them. Tomorrow we go to the university to speak with some professors and students. In the evening it’s off to a women’s professional basketball game. We lined up an interview with Russia’s top player who lives and plays in the American WNBA during the summer.

Filed under Journals, Dominic Howes, Russia.

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