2nd August 2007 What to expect?

Purpose



This particular Blog is an attempt at recording one of the most exciting times in anyone's life. An expedition into the unknown. My wife Anastasia and I have resigned from work and packed up life as we know it, here in Brisbane Australia, to pursue an adventure. One of the last bastions of adventure is to leave what you know, your family, friends, work, culture and most importantly your language. Our expedition is to attempt to create a new life in Vladivostok, Russia.

Admittedly I do have an advantage. My wife Anastasia is a native and her family and friends all reside in Vladivostok. However Anastasia has not lived there since she was 17. Now being completely Anglicised she feels the challenge of finding work, accommodation and slotting back into Russian life is not going to be as easy as first expected.

In my case the whole task ahead is both daunting and exciting. Russia is still, for many in the west, an intriguing destination. As a child Russia was, as Ronald Regan put it "the Evil Empire". It was a country shrouded in mystery hidden behind the political Iron Curtain. A faraway frozen land with people who equally had frozen emotions. Poised at annihilating the west with it's massive nuclear arsenal, it's no wounder Russia still to this day holds a skeptical reputation. The Cold War is long over yet due to Polonium poisoning spies, a ruthless Mafia, threats from Chechen terrorists, crashing aeroplanes and a nuclear infrastructure on the verge of melt down, Russia still saddles a reputation like on other. Funnily enough it always has had a reputation as Winston Churchill said "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

Nic