They freely discussed limitations on the power of the state to arrest from the perspective that the power of the state must be constrained. They did this interacting with each other, their faculty members and the U.S. teacher without restraint or polite avoidance of matters that 20 years ago, and, perhaps now in the time of Putin, might best have gone unmentioned. As we have traveled around the Vologda region, we have debated whether the greatest need is economic, legal, medical or engineering assistance. Engineers among us notice the dilapidated buildings and infrastructure. Public transportation, buses, trolleys and trains are worn and dirty.
Cars make their shockless ways down potholed and flooded streets.
Compounding the problem is a puzzling lack of sensible engineering technique, which conceivably could mitigate some of the damage. Construction sites in Vologda display antiquated equipment, understaffed crews and conspicuous lack of safety equipment. The bottom line is that a major overhaul of the infrastructure is needed immediately, for the health, safety and spirit of the Russian people. In Vologda there is the potential for a successful tourist industry that could bring in some much needed cash to a city clearly suffering. Although a more distant place, the Vologda region may offer more to the mildly adventurous tourist than Moscow or St. Petersburg.