(This article was written by visitors from our Sister City Lomonosov, Russia and reported by Russian reporter, Tatiana Proshkina who previously visited Anacortes)

In September (2005) Anacortes again was visited by people from Russia and we asked some of them to share their opinions with us.

Tatiana wrote: At first time, citizens of Lomonosov heard about small town in western part of USA, thirty years ago, when the foreign delegation came to their city. After this, they decided to create an organization, "Kalinka". Since that time people from Lomonosov visited Anacortes a lot of times: there studied students, performed actors. The last project was a creation of a culinary book, in which there are some Russian food too.

Marina Ahromova wrote: Anacortes is absolutely another USA, not so busy, pragmatic and teaching all the world how to live. The life is quiet, safe, but not boring! People are open-hearted, communicative. That's why Anacortes has four sister cities. I thought that USA wouldn't surprise me, but I was wrong. We met members of Croatian organization in Anacortes. Nicky - a director came on our meeting with little baby. When came the time to give a food for her child, she opened the sink, put some milk stuff to bottle, filled bottle with water and gave for a baby. When she saw my surprise, she said, "It's OK. The water is very clean here". And also I was shocked how the Mayor of Anacortes is open-heart and close to simple citizens.

Irina Alexandrova wrote: I was amazed by picturesque view on the ocean. Every morning I got up and saw the sunrise. This is fantastic. Their home life is on the highest level. I liked the food that they gave me, everything I love: fish, meat, vegetables! But after one week I became homesick. I used to more fast life. That's why people call Anacortes "the town for pensioners". I visited town hospital (I even don't want to compare with Russian - OK!) It's full of new equipment, for everybody spent thousands of dollars during his being in hospital.

Andrew Leizerovich wrote: We were in the part of USA which is far away from center, but how are they living..it's amazing! I even don't say that there wage is much higher than ours. I appreciate what is valued by people: own house - with view to ocean, or forest, beautiful nature! People with whom I lived even don't lock the doors when they're leaving. They live in the own house, but they're not separated. I mean there are lots of organizations, groups, etc. And also internet web-site and radio-wave. And I'm thinking they now to create our radio wave in Russia!

Irina Andrianova wrote: I think that Anacortes isn't typical USA. Here live people who worked hard all their life to have house in beautiful place. First of all, I would like to mention that people in Anacortes are very respectable and kind. In small show you'll always somebody who will say "hello"! Drivers pass road for people. People like to smile. Also they like to work! I lived with old people but they still work hard. They don't wait for something. If they want something, for example change in their town, they took part in it.

Igor Rujiekiy wrote: I'm shooked of what I saw. Of course, I heard a lot about Anacortes and USA. My daughter studied there for a school year, but to see by your own eyes - another business! I knew that they're living not like us, but I even couldn't imagine that difference is so great. It seemed that they're people like us, and love us, but they're life is absolutely different. Maybe something is wrong with our country! It's worth to go to such far-away town, to see, to think, and to understand.

This article was translated by Arthur Againyan, a Russian student attending Anacortes High School. The typist spelled the words just as written.