Maximixiv, long story - but to sum it up I was a journalist, and I was invited, as part of Glasnost, into Russia to help with television writing/production at what was then called the LenTeleRadioKomitet. It was the television network in (then) Leningrad. It was sort of a "joint venture" which, from the American side, was funded by a church. I worked for Soviet rubles and lived in a small apartment in - I forget the name of the district - out towards the direction of Leningrad International Airport. Rode the metro or hitched rides with cars to work every day. Was an amazing experience!

The Soviet Union collapsed during the time when I was living there, and I was out on the streets with the protesters when they "stormed" the Winter Palace the second time in history. They changed the name of Leningrad back to Santk Peterburg while I was living, and working, there as well. It was really something to see all of that change, happening so fast, right in front of our eyes.

Many of my friends from Russia remain very close to this day and I hope to travel there soon, and bring my husband to meet them.