Portions of a Letter from Russia

Here is my, as usual, close-the-trip letter. In some ways, it's best to write while in the middle or on top of a scene; but when it comes to a complex like Russia, a little distance in time and space may give perspective. It is difficult enough to get at the truth in a society in which no one is afraid to talk; but imagine a search where people are not allowed free travel and free speech. How much of the inefficiency I found was due to ignorance and how much to fear I'll never know.