By Thomas Benke. When I last visited Khabarovsk (in May of 2018) I met with a group of university students to discuss “the world”. Among them was Natasha K., an energetic, opinionated and overall impressive young woman. Natasha, who spent her first 18 years in a small community in Primorye Krai, later studied in Minnesota on scholarship and took the opportunity to see the U.S. on a shoe-string budget by “couch-surfing” and otherwise staying with friends or friends-of-friends, including with my wife and me in Portland, Oregon.
Natasha returned to Khabarovsk in March 2020 and is now an internet “influencer” in her own right. She has a YouTube channel called Breaking the Ice and you can follow her on her Instagram channel yeahrussia. Natasha’s missives on Khabarovsk, the Russian Far East in general, and her time in the U.S. are well worth the watch. Her views are thoughtful and informed, and while her videos may not be the most advanced productions in the world her (mostly) unreserved commentary tells us something important about where Portland’s sister city is headed socially. “Like” her now and tell people later that you “knew her when…”
Shireen
Wow! I just found and “liked” her days ago. And to think she even stayed with you!! Small world indeed.
Natasha K
Thank you, Thomas! So nice to be featured in the Portland-Khabarovsk SCA. I will keep it up!
trbenke
Natasha, would you like to introduce yourself to the PKSCA Board of Directors? I have ten minutes set aside for out next meeting March 30th (about 11am March 31st, I believe, in Khabarovsk.) Write back to me by email to confer. trbenke@env-compliance.com
trbenke
N. – This is Thomas Benke. I watched and shared your last video. We hear you. Your concerns are valid and your point of view is important. Stay strong.