How did an American find a wife in Petersburg and why does he support Putin

Donald Wilburn grew up in the United States during the Cold War: he recalls how he was taught that all enemies in the USSR. In the 54 year, exhausted by the work of the warden in prison, he moved to Petersburg, although he knew nothing about the city. Here, Donald married Petersburger and got rid of stress, the newspaper writes Paper.

Photo: Egor Flowers / "Paper"

Why the cold war does not affect his attitude towards the Russians, how he found a common language with his wife's granddaughter, speaking Russian poorly, and that it helps to find peace in the city in the story of an American.

I was born in 1958, and my youth fell at the time of the most conspicuous stage of the Cold War. As I understand now, then we did not know anything about Russians: we were taught that everyone in the USSR was enemies, and we represented the people of [the Soviet Union] as spies and agents of the KGB. In general, everything was like here, just the other way.

The cold war is over, but people in the United States no longer have more knowledge about Russians: now everyone is more likely to give a damn about Russia. Of course, fake news also contributes to the preservation of stereotypes, which still remain on many TV channels, but not so many.

However, when you grow up, you still understand that politics is politics, the state is the state, and people of any nationality are just people. And among the inhabitants of any country there are no spies and agents of the KGB, you can communicate with everyone.

I often changed my career and lifestyle. At first, my parents and I traveled a lot both in the States and in Europe, so I never stayed anywhere. Then I worked as an operator and made films about hunting, sports, and so on for one American channel. And in the middle of 2000, when I hurt my arm and could not handle the camera, I went to Texas and became a prison guard.

Working in prison, I was constantly under stress. Could not help but turn around to check that everything is in order; I could not help but strain when someone touched me. It became clear that you need to change something.

I don’t really like Canada, I didn’t want to live in England - I needed something else. And I chose Russia. My daughter - I have four of them - advised me to go to teach: a vacancy was opened here in Petersburg. And I decided to try.

In 2012, I moved, started teaching and met my future wife Natasha among my students. She reminded me of those American women from 60 – 70's who take care of their man, do housework and really enjoy it. We began to see her outside school hours, she showed me the city, we walked, talked and soon fell in love with each other.

Then I went to the USA, sold everything, took two of my dogs and came back here to live. A few years later we got married with Natasha. Now I teach English in the business field to small groups of people and am happy with everything.

Photo: Egor Flowers / "Paper"

What has Russia taught you?

When I drove here for the first time, I knew little about Russia, but I did not know anything at all about Petersburg: I ​​didn’t even know where it was on the map. And I was very surprised when they told me that this is one of the most beautiful cities in the country - it really is.

In St. Petersburg, my wife and I began to walk around the theaters, museums, walk in parks and gardens. Stress disappeared very, very soon: and this is thanks to walks through the Catherine Palace and the park, trips to the Alexandrinsky Theater, observation of Peterhof. It’s just another life, ever slower, and it helped me. During this time I began to speak Russian fluently, and Natasha learned English very well. I began to enjoy what was happening and stopped being nervous.

I also realized that in Russia, in fact, everyone lives normally. Democrats and in general all supporters of left-wing ideas in the United States say how bad it is here. And here, of course, huge taxes, but at the same time people somehow agree with this.

In the US elections, for example, I voted for Donald Trump. And here I would vote for Putin. Because they are nationalists and put their country in the first place. Of course, they need to be more friendly, but judging by the fact that they are chosen, they are needed by people. I know a lot of people who are against Putin, and have heard their positions, but now I don’t see anyone else in his place.

At the same time, I notice that adults in Russia are more educated, and it is really pleasant to talk with them. People here are less obsessed with their careers, they find time for rest. And this is very important, because without relaxation nothing good can come.

At the same time, young Russians (and there are really a lot of them, and they are noticeable) are trying to arrange their lives better. It is evident that they do not spare themselves, they study, work and settle in international companies to secure their future. And this is also interesting, because our students more often rely on their studies.

Photo: Egor Flowers / "Paper"

Who played an important role for you?

Of course, Natasha. She helped me with the study of Russian language, Russian history, with an understanding of how everything is arranged here, in which services to apply. She is very beautiful, caring and calm. Because of her, I stayed.

What would you like to transfer from your country to Petersburg?

There is no denying that there is a lot of corruption in politics and police in Russia. We have institutions that are struggling with this, are much more developed. And since I believe that Russia without corruption will be better for living, I would like to transfer them here.

Photo: Egor Flowers / "Paper"

Five finds in Petersburg

1. Granddaughter of his wife

This is one of the most important details of my life in Petersburg. She is only a few years old, but she already speaks fluent English and Russian. I don't speak Russian very well. And this could be a problem, but no: we constantly communicate - so that she even spoke her first word in English. I am very proud of her, considering that all my daughters have grown up a long time ago, to feel like that again is very good. For me, this is the main find, compared to which all the others pale.

2. White Nights

Something incredible. In general, I did not imagine what such really exists. I could not sleep, but enjoyed.

3. Many places for walking

For me it was important to find something that would reduce stress. And here such places are everywhere: parks, gardens, canals, everywhere is beautiful, everything is visible. At first I was very surprised at how beautiful the churches were here, how the lanterns by the rivers were built here. Gradually, all this enters into the ordinariness of life, but with this it is more pleasant.

4. Cutlets, borscht and greens

Russian food is generally very good, but it is both similar and different from American. For example, we also have burgers, but they are eaten mostly only with hamburgers. And here also separately. It is interesting that greens are served to them, and different: parsley, dill, green onions. It differs except that soup - this I have not seen.

5. Architecture

In the US, there are many large, beautiful buildings, but there are none at all such [as in Petersburg]. Petersburg is so much like Vienna, but not much is known about it, and that’s great.

Why are you here?

The only reason I am here is my wife. If Natasha wants to move, then we will move. But she is unlikely to really like something like that, because she has lived here all her life, she has children, grandchildren, parents here. And everything suits us both in Petersburg.

Now I am very interested in cryptocurrency mining, because I believe that this is the future. And everything so well coincided that it is in Russia that all conditions exist for this and are not so tightly regulated. I am already studying the right literature, but this is still a hobby. What will happen next, we'll see.

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