September 20 - Birobidzhan

At first glance the streets of Birobidzhan seem unaltered by the dramatic changes sweeping this country. Unlike the other cities we've seen, there are no new cafes or restaurants, no Western-style shops or fancy cars here. Most of the factories are shut down, and local people tell us the unemployment rate is around fifty percent. Many of those who are lucky enough to have jobs haven't been paid in months. Yet somehow people still get by, often by growing potatoes and vegetables in small garden plots.


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