Jeremy kicks off his Russian adventure in Ulan-Ude, a city which is about 100km away from Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is the world’s largest freshwater lake. Waking up across from the most gigantic Lenin head sculpture anyone could ever imagine, he dives headfirst into city life with curiosity, humor, and an eye for the little quirks that make traveling so entertaining. It’s 10 a.m., the air is crisp at 21°C, and Jeremy is already smitten with the city’s charm, lush parks, chatty locals, quirky public transit, and a sense of old-meets-new that seems to pulse through every sidewalk.
But make no mistake—this isn’t just some postcard stroll through Russia. Jeremy is here to peel back the layers, especially around the pressing question many people ask: what’s the actual effect of sanctions on the ground? Well, spoiler alert—it’s not quite what you think.
International brands may have vanished faster than free hotel Wi-Fi, but Russian shelves didn’t stay empty for long. Local products, Chinese tech, Indian goods, and Turkish alternatives have moved right in. Jeremy strolls through supermarkets stocked with everything from meats and noodles to familiar brands like Heinz and Maggi. Even Subway sandwiches somehow survived the global corporate exodus, and yes, there are still iPhones galore, lined up in glittery displays.
The only real hiccup? Payments. Foreigners need cash, and crisp, clean rubles at that—no wrinkled or scribbled notes, please. For locals though, their banking apps and systems run just fine. So Jeremy spends the day perfecting his “cash ninja” routine, wrestling with Cyrillic signs, and discovering just how useless Google Maps can feel when lunchtime bankers lock their doors.
Cars tell another story. Forget shiny new Toyotas or Volkswagens. Thanks to sanctions, Chinese-made vehicles dominate the roads now, flipping the market into Beijing’s favor. Yet even with this automotive upheaval, Jeremy is quick to notice the surprisingly courteous Russian drivers who always stop at zebra crossings—a novelty compared to other countries he’s zoomed through.
His journey also captures Russia’s softer, cultural heart. He stumbles upon a wedding with decked-out cars topped with giant golden rings, visits serene Buddhist monasteries where monks tend sacred relics, and watches locals leave candy and trinkets as offerings. Add in pristine highways, serene countryside dotted with cattle, and bustling bus stops in even the smallest of towns, and you get Jeremy’s verdict: life feels remarkably ordinary, maybe even thriving.
The day ends with him soaking in Ulan-Ude’s youthful vibe—flowers, laughter, and Lenin’s enormous bronze head presiding over it all. For Jeremy, it’s not just about sanctions or brands vanishing; it’s about discovering resilience, adaptation, and the kind of authentic cultural texture that fast-food chains and international logos can never replace.
If you’ve ever wondered what daily life in Russia really looks like post-sanctions or if you just enjoy watching Jeremy hilariously bumble through money changers, sample mystery meats, and gasp at giant monuments, you don’t want to miss this video. It’s sharp, witty, surprisingly heartwarming, and full of unexpected discoveries. Click play and join Jeremy’s Russian road adventure. You’ll see a side of Russia the headlines never show.