The Boombox Will Cost 33,000 Rubles

At ETSM, we have entered the spring semester and are looking forward to our graduation ceremonies in May. In the meantime, we must work through the mundane, business-as-usual items that come our way. But life in Moscow is different than in the States. Something happened this week which typifies some of the differences.

Russian law requires all citizens and visitors to register their presence with the local authorities. For example, when traveling to Russia, I must submit my passport (with migration card) within three business days with the local migration card to the "migration office" (which is a division of the police department or department of homeland security).

All of our students who live at the seminary must also register with the local authorities. In the past, ETSM would simply send one representative on Wednesdays (the day reserved for all organizations) to the migration office with all of the paperwork for the students and guests.

However, there was a recent change in the legal procedures that caused us many headaches. We were informed that ETSM would have to stand in the line for "individuals", and not for organizations. The recent changes in leadership of the migration office resulted in difficulties for the Seminary; he simply decided that the Seminary must stand in line like any other person (despite the fact that ETSM is a recognized organization). Standing in line means that at 3:00 AM someone has to go and get into line to apply in the morning hours.

Once our representative tried to come for registration of our students at 7:30 a.m. and he was 58th in line. Before lunch 28 people were able to go through the migration office, Valera had to miss the day. Next day the line repeats all over again.

So... We did some investigative work as to why there was such a drastic measure taken against the seminary. The government office staff explained to us that they can proceed documents of the Seminary for registration with no problems in the future if ETSM would give them a gift. But not just any gift. They specifically would like to have a boombox. Yep, that's right - a ghetto blaster.

We checked into the price of such a gift. The cost of the boom-box is 3,300-3,100 rubles (ca. $120-140 USD), depending on the make and model.

Lest anyone think where giving into bribery - have no fear! There is a Russian law which explains how large a gift can be before it is determined to be a bribe. So we're in safe legal waters. It appears to be an easy way out and an item of "keeping relationship" with the local police (migration service) who do registration for ETSM. And perhaps the Christian CD we include will also have a positive influence.