Image retrieved from shared post on Facebook
One important thing this trip is starting to make me realize is that we have removed too much sociology from history. That is to say we often discuss modern history without enough reflection on society. This approach makes it a struggle to distinguish between a government’s action and a people’s will. We often take for granted that we live in the USA where the notion the government represents “The Will Of The People” is a viable concept. How successful this ideal prevails is up for debate but this kind of principle is completely void in parts of the world. Not realizing this clouds our world view and makes it difficult to relate to the world.
My journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad has involved my closest interactions with the local population. On most my previous trips, including the first sixty days of this trip in Northern Europe, my interactions have been fairly limited to other travelers I met on the road. I actually had more train segments in Northern Europe than I will have on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Yet, with one exception, I did not experience the bonding that comes so easily on Russian trains. Prior to my embarking by train in Russia, I would not have been convinced that Russian people could be so warm and friendly. Not once has my nationality or lack of language been problematic. I think my preconceptions emerged from the fact that so much post World War II history we learn involves the Cold War against Russia. During my studies, I incorrectly associated the actions of the Russian government with Russian People. Which, given Cold War History, is not a positive link. This was a mistake. I am glad to have been enlightened to this through my travel.
In the future I will be more conscious of my preconceptions of people and how they were conceived. 
// Oliver – Day 80 – Russia