No unemployment; no work

Press, 1 September 1977, Page 17

No unemployment; no work

We were often told that Russia had no unemployment, and after seeing that number of people occupying empty desks or sweeping up infinitesimal scraps of dirt I can well believe it. Even on farms there seemed to be a lot of work done by hand. A field would have been ploughed by a tractor but the weeding of crops was done by men and women with hoes. And there were many small plots, some miles away from any apparent civilisation, where a couple could be seen tending to a crop of vegetables.

The lack of livestock, such as cattle or sheep, in the many miles of wide open spaces that I saw never ceased to amaze me. Much of the country that at first glance looked very suitable for at least

cattle may in fact have 1 :en too water-logged. And in the winter it would be under feet of snow. But at no time on the whole journey did I see more than very small herds of domestic cows, never more than perhaps a dozen at a time; scattered and small mobs (if 10 sheep can be called a mob) of sheep; a few goats, and some horses. Even birdlife on the tram route was scarce, with large, black European crows being the only common bird that 1 saw. Entertainment for local people seemed a bit scarce. They had films, of course, mostly Russianmade, and most of the larger cities had a circus or a ballet group. But they had very few restaurants except those in the bigger hotels, and these

were used by local people as well as by hotel guests.

Hotels also seemed to be the recognised places for dances. Bands played very loud music and diners would get up from their tables, dance one number, then sit down again, repeating the process for one dance a few minutes later. In spite of the constant getting up and down they danced with great gusto. There were no coffee houses — in fact there seemed to be no coffee — or cafes of any kind in the cities, not even a tea room or any kind of place where people could sit and have a drink. I do not remember seeing anything that looked like a pub, except, again, in the hotels.

There are only two kinds of tourists in Russia

— "group” and “individual.” I was the latter, but if I ever go again I think I will go “group,” but I am not sure. Both forms have their advantages and disadvantages. I got stuck with pretty tedious companions now and again — imagine what it would be like to spend a fortnight sharing a room with an alcoholic or an insomniac.

Anyone planning a trip to Russia should go expecting plenty of frustrations and shortcomings in the way of service and “mod cons." But to anyone with a sense of humour and reasonable health it can be an enjoyable experience — even if not one that you would want to repeat too soon.