A day before Putin announced mobilization—a first for Russia since WW2—I was in a taxi. We made a turn from a sun-lit street into a darker one, and the driver put the visor up. — I don’t like it when these things are down, they block the view. I recently took a trip back to my Homeland…
Glad to hear you are out of Russia. I can't help but think while Armenia is safer than Russia, Armenia is a member of CSTO which is a military alliance that has Russia as the main member that dominates the alliance. Also Armenia has been under Russia's thumb for about 200 years one way or another. I fear Armenia would extradite people back to Russia if that is what Russia wanted. I would get out of Armenia soon if it was my situation. All that said I know it is not that simple to get everyone out of Russia and basically immigrate to a new country where Russia can't reach.
Holy crap. Glad you got the ticket before the hell broke loose - kudos to your wife (women have this intuition that helps little miracles like this one happen). Hope she'll be able to join you soon.
When you didn't write for awhile after the "partial" mobilization, I was really worried about you. So glad to hear that you are out of there, but I hope your wife gets out soon, and that you can get to a safer country. I'm glad that your writings and podcasts didn't get you thrown in jail! Are those who support Putin at all concerned about his nuclear talk? Or are they like Trump supporters, who support him no matter what he says or does?
Too close to the center of history evolving. Good job marrying a smart woman. I cannot help being able to think in scheming ways-might be Katrina ought buy a round trip ticket in order to assure her ability to exit. I hope you are able to find many moments of calm in the midst of all this.
Nikita, Have you seen this article: "Has Putin sacrificed Armenia? Russia is no longer interested in a peace deal" https://unherd.com/2022/10/has-putin-sacrificed-armenia/ I figure you know about these issues but hey, thought I would bring it up. Does not look good.
So glad you made it out--what an excellent wife. Hope you're both reunited soon. Okay, I have to mention the visor thing as, like your cabbie, I'm a weirdo who *always* drives with it down (except when dark). I think it might be because I'm on the shorter side and with it open I have the sun beaming in my face; also so many distractions that I just don't want to see. It's just so bright! Maybe he's on the shorter side too?
Out of Russia
Glad to hear you are out of Russia. I can't help but think while Armenia is safer than Russia, Armenia is a member of CSTO which is a military alliance that has Russia as the main member that dominates the alliance. Also Armenia has been under Russia's thumb for about 200 years one way or another. I fear Armenia would extradite people back to Russia if that is what Russia wanted. I would get out of Armenia soon if it was my situation. All that said I know it is not that simple to get everyone out of Russia and basically immigrate to a new country where Russia can't reach.
Holy crap. Glad you got the ticket before the hell broke loose - kudos to your wife (women have this intuition that helps little miracles like this one happen). Hope she'll be able to join you soon.
When you didn't write for awhile after the "partial" mobilization, I was really worried about you. So glad to hear that you are out of there, but I hope your wife gets out soon, and that you can get to a safer country. I'm glad that your writings and podcasts didn't get you thrown in jail! Are those who support Putin at all concerned about his nuclear talk? Or are they like Trump supporters, who support him no matter what he says or does?
Too close to the center of history evolving. Good job marrying a smart woman. I cannot help being able to think in scheming ways-might be Katrina ought buy a round trip ticket in order to assure her ability to exit. I hope you are able to find many moments of calm in the midst of all this.
Nikita, Have you seen this article: "Has Putin sacrificed Armenia? Russia is no longer interested in a peace deal" https://unherd.com/2022/10/has-putin-sacrificed-armenia/ I figure you know about these issues but hey, thought I would bring it up. Does not look good.
So glad you made it out--what an excellent wife. Hope you're both reunited soon. Okay, I have to mention the visor thing as, like your cabbie, I'm a weirdo who *always* drives with it down (except when dark). I think it might be because I'm on the shorter side and with it open I have the sun beaming in my face; also so many distractions that I just don't want to see. It's just so bright! Maybe he's on the shorter side too?
Woah. Glad you made it okay. This is very tense. You're in my thoughts.
Thanks for continuing to write through all this, I can't help but think it's important. Best of luck to you man