One of the unique things about my job is that I get to travel internationally from time to time, exploring diving from other perspectives. In a few weeks, I’ll be seeing it from an entirely new perspective. In the middle of February, I will be attending the Golden Dolphin Dive Show in Moscow, Russia. I’ll be working the show in support of DAN Europe, but expect to make some interesting contacts to learn about diving throughout Russia and the Black Sea.

However, attending this dive show is just part of a larger project. From 1993 to 1995, I spent about six months traveling throughout Russia, documenting the lives of the people and how they were dealing with the breakup of the Soviet Union. It was an amazing time. There was so much misunderstanding on both sides—American and Russian.

On February 1, I will be returning to Russia to follow up on that earlier project. I will be spending most of my time in the Moscow region, staying with friends. It should be a terrific opportunity to see examine how their lives have changed in the ensuing 15 years, and attempt to understand what it is to be Russian in the new era.

The dive show begins on February 14 and runs through the 18th. I’ll plan to post blogs from my trip, both parts online as I can—assuming a decent internet connection.

If you’re interested to see the images from my earlier Russian project, visit the Russia Project page on my website at www.booksbyeric.com.