S i b e r i a n D e a l / r e p o r t p a g e

The Trading of Objects

The *Real* Siberian Deals begin in Irkutsk. At first, there seemed to be no "inroad" into this society without speaking Russian. However, Deals happened very suddenly on October 7, and many interesting objects were received "in trade." Rodian Korolkov, a student at the Irkutsk Teacher's College --who was our interpreter on a day trip to Lake Baikal-- invited us to visit his English Class. There, we took were fortunate to begin personal relationships with individuals.

OBJEKTE


The central square of Irkutsk, full of people celebrating *Days of Russian Culture*, establishes a festive, open atmosphere for trading. Music and announcements blared from the community loudspeakers, high above, and many young people dressed in folklore costumes, compete for their 10-12 person audiences to fill their tent theaters. Children are led around the main monument on tired ponies, and youths in leather jackets group together behind the pretty girls who sell plastic sacks of cookies and sweets. Generally, everyone seems to be in a good mood. A couple of the students offer us some of their personal effects *in trade*. They are remarkably fair, and try to match value for value. We discover that people here have very little to give. The acquisition of personal goods, especially winter clothing, is an investment of hard earned money .




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INDEX I EMAIL I SIBERIAN DEAL MAINPAGE I GO ON I THE STORY SO FAR PT.1 I THE STORY SO FAR PT.2 THE STORY SO FAR PT.3