answer:Great question man! But tour guides… You mean keepers, right? Did they ever let you out of their sights? I was born a few years before the USSR was dismantled… I have never been to Russia or a former Soviet country. I was very interested in Russian and Soviet history in college, but decided that as a visibly queer person, it would not be very safe or pleasant for me to spend months on end doing research there. I know I made the right choice, but I still find Russian history fascinating. I’m excited to hear others’ stories!