Enjoying your detailed reports Andi! Sadly, it doesn't sound like much has changed in Russia since I had gone over on business trips several years ago. From your reports, it seems that the Black Market and corrupt government continues to thrive and rake in all the money while the common people suffer. Unfortunately very little of the tourism dollars get to the people, even the banks were corrupt. I use to ask my Russian friends how they survive the incredible inflation and their answer was "we don't know any different". When you get outside Moscow/St. Petersburg you see what the Russian people really have to contend with to survive. But the museums are incredible and I think the Russian people are very proud of them. Looking forward to more reports!