Dear CCI Friends,
We wish you could have been with us from August 30 to Sept 15 as 25 of us scattered across thousands of miles (kilometers) in Russia, meeting with Russian citizens for the first time in city-after-city. We will continue to send you our Foto-Journals as they come in from travelers just returning to the states.
This is one from Mike Metz and his wife Kathy who stayed on in St. Petersburg after the group departed for the U.S.
Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives
“My dear friend” is how we are addressed frequently in Russia, by those with whom we’ve shared a meal, a museum, or a day. It’s endearing.
We spent yesterday with a fellow I’m happy to consider a new dear friend, Alexey, an interior decorator, painter of murals, and unparalleled expert on St. Petersburg architecture. Here’s a photo:
One of the best aspects of a CCI trip to Russia is the diversity of people and opinions to whom you’re introduced. On the hot button issue of Vladimir Putin the opinions are near 50-50. A media big shot says, “foreign policy good, domestic policies bad;” our young Moscow tour guide, “hate him but voted for him—he means stability;” and of course, the Crimeans love him, “he saved us from the fascists.”
But Alexey does not mince words. “Do not talk of him. His rule is no different than the communists, he and all those at the top keep all the wealth. What has he done for the common people? And now he takes the pensions!”
Alexey is on a mission to save the city’s original doors, windows, and gates. During the anarchy of the 90s these were often replaced with ugly sheets of steel, to keep out burglars. Here are a few of his favorites:
The man appreciates all art, and takes us to a hidden courtyard of graffiti art:
Later he sends photos of his own mural work:
Our dear friend is quite the artist.
Mike Metz
Citizen Diplomat
September 2018