Prices are the same as in the American stores. Generally, there seems to be a lot of gloom, doom, and despair in Siberia. Since the change to privatization, the mafia really has taken over. Many people have lost their jobs or if they have jobs, they have not been paid in two or three months. There is food on the shelves, but it is very expensive.
Crime is very high.
It is a very difficult situation for all people. The cost of trying to make a change to democracy and a market economy is very high for most people. They wonder if they will make it. I asked one young man what he thinks will happen. They want someone who is strong, someone who can bring order out of chaos, someone who can control the mafia.