Part 4/10:
In the wake of widespread sanctions, Russia's financial infrastructure has adapted by developing its own payment system – the MIR card. There’s hope for visitors who manage to open local bank accounts, albeit with many hurdles in place. Foreigners have reported that establishing residency and identity verification can include arduous documentation requirements, which are compounded for American citizens given the geopolitical tensions.
After repeated attempts, Elesey and Samuel successfully acquired a MIR card, allowing them to engage with everyday transactions more fluidly, including booking taxis and purchasing food. Strikingly, this experience underscores a newfound independence from reliance on the locals, allowing for a semblance of normalcy in daily life.