Screenshot of the video
MINSK, 7 October (BelTA) – As part of BelTA’s YouTube project The Honest Story the American John Dougan who lives in Russia shared his impressions of Russia and expressed regret that he had not visited Belarus before.
“Well, I came to Russia for first time before I was running from the police. I came in 2013 because I had met a girl in a Facebook group, and we were discussing bringing my business to Russia. At that time, I wasn't a cop anymore. I had a business creating telecommunications equipment,” said John Dougan. He had to flee from America after exposing corruption and criminal activity within his police department.
He shared his first impressions: “I fell in love with this country. It was just very interesting. It was very different from America, of course, but very alive, very beautiful, so much energy. And then I came back four more times after that.”
According to him, when he had to run from the police, he already knew something about Russia. “I already knew that I liked it very much. So it was an easy decision for me. I really love the people in Russia. They are just all so nice. You hear the stereotype in America about Russian people are grumpy, they don't smile, and all this other stuff, but I have found that absolutely to be not true. I can have great conversations with anywhere I go,” he said.
He remarked that it was his first visit to Belarus. “I'm very sad that I didn't get to come here earlier, but I only got my passport last year, so I couldn't do it before. It's a beautiful country. I was driving in as the sun was setting, and looking at all the beautiful fields and nature. It was just really incredible. I don't really know a lot about the country, but I plan to come back and visit repeatedly and learn more. Thanks, and maybe I'll see you sometime,” he said.
Follow us on:
