Altaistone)))

On a lighter note. Here I am--fresh from breathtaking beauty of Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho and Yellowstone. And here are Russia's favorite Aussies who moved from Novosibirsk to their dream Altai farm hanging out in Gorno-Altaisk. 

The similarity of the nature is 100%. If not for Russian language one would think that they are somewhere in Montana. Finally, Russia begins to develop those places in an appropriate touristy manner. And here is what matters--both American Pacific Northwest and its near, as well as Altai share not just the stunning nature. They share a stunning scale. Especially when one considers Canadian extension of Rockies from Alberta to British Columbia, both places dwarf any kind of Alpine locations. I love this scale and the sense of freedom it gives you. I also totally understand how Sabrina and her family feel now--it is the sense of wonderment and being spellbound. I can relate easily--I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest immediately. And I need big water--nothing comes bigger than Pacific Ocean. Altai, sadly, is far away from it. Or any ocean, for that matter. But it is still beautiful.  

Wild, Wild... East.

Justus is a star in Russia. And yes, Altai, as I said many times, has a lot in common with Wyoming or Montana. Here is some fascinating story. I could never do this kind of activity and I need an ocean (at least a sea) next to me, but farming in Russia is getting big. And for some reason those good ol' Westerns come to mind. 

It is worth watching.

I Totally Get It...

Why Aussies would love Altai. Some of the shots, especially on the new highway, I couldn't have found a difference between those and my drives on mountain roads in Western Washington or Oregon. There is also an uncanny similarity between some places in Altai and Wyoming. Joash also explains the issue of fresh water when compares Altai (or most of Russia, for that matter) with Australia and their creek at their farm there.

So, Russia's favorite Aussies are really shopping for a farm and it seems that they are on their way to a Green Card and citizenship and realization of their dream. But that is not the whole story. 

A number of American and Canadian families (75 people in all) contacted RT with request for help recently in obtaining Russian citizenship. RT already made a wonderful pitch (in Russian). 

«Хотим жить в стране, поддерживающей традиционные ценности»: семьи из США и Канады попросили российское гражданство

Translation: "We want to live in the country which supports traditional values": families from the US and Canada asked for Russian citizenship. 

Father Joseph Gleason, I once told about him, is one of those who helps American and Canadians to get in. He and his family of 10 are also a great gift to Russia.

So, as I said few years ago--this is just a start. Russia is NOT a paradise, Russia has corruption, she has bureaucracy, she has many other things to consider, but what Russia IS, she is an arc for normal people--of all races and faiths--but for European Christian root, Russia is a place to find peace. Plus, Russia is doing not bad economically, wink, wink. Large Russian cities? They will give a run for the money to anything in the West. Moscow and St.Petersburg? Best cities in the world, period. Stunning, clean, modern, safe and culture which overwhelms in the most positive way. So, here it is. Life goes on. 

P.S. One day you will have Aussies playing hockey.

Reiteration Of The Point...

 I first made few years ago. Namely almost five ago. 

However, the immigration from Western Europe to Russia is a separate matter. How large is this flow of West European immigrants is difficult to assess as of now. Bar some very high profile people such as Steven Seagal or Ornella Muti getting their Russian citizenship, it is very difficult to even separate, such as in German case, if these are "native" Germans immigrating to Russia or Russian Germans who merely return, after their Germany's odyssey, back to their Russian motherland. Here is another example of Germans getting to settle in Russia.

Evidently Russian Germans begin to manifest their practical desires to move to Russia in thousands now.  Even despite the fact that some of them have small children and German children subsidies are higher than Russian ones (I admit, I don't know how Maternity Capital applies here). Many are Christians. Here is Klaus who consults German organizations and families who move to Russia. This is the original German language video. 

Here is his video with Russian dubbing.
 

I was surprised that many natives from Bavaria, Cologne area or Hamburg are also leaving for Russia. As I said many times, Germans, especially Germans from former GDR, not to mention Soviet (Russian) Germans are absolutely not alien to Russians. For all heavy history between two peoples, Germans also have been a significant part of modern (since 17th century) Russia's history. It is a given. Very many Germans still reside in Russia, especially Altai region and they are admired and viewed as.... well, Russians with German roots. Real patriots. One such story about German farmers in Altai (in Russian). I knew that numbers were significant but now that they are in thousands, one has to take a serious note. So, the trend is pronounced, including for Germans who return to Crimea. In an astonishing and deeply ironic turn of events, many Germans say that they go to Russia for liberty. Who would have thought. 

Yet, as Peter Hitchens, the one I respect, unlike his late verbose and highly opinionated brother, states and I agree with him:

We are throwing away our liberty. We are willingly and, in some cases, cheerfully throwing it away because we have ceased to value it. In fact, we are increasingly comfortable with being told what to do rather than deciding what to do for ourselves.” This is anathema to him. Liberty is “the most precious jewel we have in this country”, it is not just “an abstract concept because it decides how you live”.

I am afraid for the UK it is a done deal. US? We'll see. You can watch full interview by Hitchens here. And Hitchens makes a succinct point here:

However, Hitchens argues, the encroachment of the state and the destruction of liberty was to some extent stalled by the Cold War. If the argument of the Western powers was that the Soviet Union was a totalitarian state, it was untenable to impose state control over Western societies.  

I agree with him here completely. It was the issue of a contrast, granted significantly blown out of proportion, which was a restraining factor in otherwise creeping assault on liberty, and we all observe the fruits of this restraining factor disappearing today. Those are bitter, if not poisonous, fruits.