I just got back from my third scuba diving “live-aboard” with 22 people from Russia. The Russians call these “safaris,” and I much prefer that term for traveling on a boat for a week or two in remote places to scuba dive. We’ve gone diving together in the Sea of Cortez (2018), the Galapagos (2021) and now, the Maldives. There is no question that I adore these people, and they have accepted me. That is why I look with horror on the prospect of war in Ukraine, which, like all wars, is unpredictable and has the potential to spill over into even a confrontation with the U.S.
My interest in all-things Russian began in St. Louis Public Schools in third grade — the region has a large Russian immigrant population — and has continued throughout my life. I took a long break from the Russian people when I accepted a job at the National Security Agency, where I worked for most of my career. But in retirement, I went right back to where I left off, only this time, we had social media networks, which made connecting with Russians much easier.
During those long scuba diving trips, I tried to drag some political views out of them, but Russians rarely discuss politics. Most say something along the lines of, “well, this is way over my head, and I can’t do anything about it, so what is there to discuss?” Others may be wary of me, a former spy on a pension, because as most Russians seem to believe, there is no such thing as a “former” spy.
