4 ms·
> enjoying the sort of expansive freedom that I have, where I could literally walk out my door right now and be thousands of miles from here in a couple of days
by Froedlich 4y ago
> enjoying the sort of expansive freedom that I have, where I could literally walk out my door right now and be thousands of miles from here in a couple of days with nobody saying boo about it...
---
I've read several accounts written by Soviet defectors that mentioned that. Some of them huddled in their house or apartment, spooked by the idea they could just go anywhere, anywhen, without getting permission or even notifying anyone. A few of them eventually went back to the USSR, knowing what was in store for them if they returned, rather than stretch their wings.
- bennysonething 4y agohttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Passport-History-Internal-Russian/dp/150954318X https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Passport-History-Internal-Ru... I haven't read it yet, but what you are saying made me think of this. I don't think the travel restrictions within the soviet union are that well known.
- FooBarBizBazz 4y agoAlso makes me think of the still-existent Hukou system. I've read even international passports date only to WW1.
- red-iron-pine 4y agoHukou is just for state benefits -- and that certainly has implications. But there is nothing stopping you from getting on a train to visit your aunt who lives 4 hours away.