Leontina Hormel

Tver', U.S.S.R., 1990-1991

I have always been interested in international issues. My curiosity about the Soviet Union grew out of family history. This is not unusual since many sociologists develop expertise around issues that connect to them personally. In the early 20th Century my father's maternal grandfather fled from Ukraine. My father's mother, Leontina, was the family's first born child in North America after leaving Ukraine. So, my family's connection to that region of the world shaped my decision to study Russian language when I was a freshman in college. Ever since I began to study Russian language, I have tried to develop new ways to understand how people live day-to-day in (what is now) the former Soviet Union. My first trip to Russia took place between September 1990 to March 1991. I traveled with two other student peers for a student exchange in which three U.S. college students were sent to study at Tver State University and two Russian students were sent to study at Eastern Washington University. We studied in Tver', Russia, during the period of "defitsit" (literally "deficit", when all goods were scarce). People needed to use "talonyi" (ration coupons) that limited how much each person could purchase during the month. To make things worse, the Soviet ruble was devalued in January 1991 and many people lost their savings. People grimly remarked at the time that it may not really matter since they had nothing around to buy with their money anyway. Some thought that the old rubles might make good wallpaper. Ah, you can tell people will survive a long time if they keep their sense of humor! Times were difficult for Soviet citizens at this time, but people we met were always generous. We always hoped that our Russian counterparts at Eastern Washington University were treated as hospitably.

Dorms

That's me in my wonderful warm shuba. Dr. Bilal Hashmi, who served as a visiting professor from Eastern Washington University said the coat made me look like a bear. It was the best coat I ever had against the kind of cold we encountered in Tver'. The dorm was located on the outskirts of the city, so we walked alot to catch the tram for school, socials, and grocery hunting. I have not been back to Tver', but I imagine this Communist monument no longer stands at the dormitory gates.

Downtown

Downtown Tver' with friend and fellow exchange student, Susan. I like this picture, because it captures most forms of transport that were available in Tver': tram (left), electric trolley (center), autobus (far right), and (the American favorite) cars. Tver' had everything but a subway, which struck me as remarkable after having only the bus and the much-less-used railway available in Spokane. (Oh, yes, and don't forget the cars.)

Produce Store

That's friend and fellow exchange student, Don, enjoying the produce store decorated festively for New Year's. He is likely getting a bag ready to fill with a kilo of potatos - mmm good.