Yeah, if we want to learn about what there is to do in the Netherlands, we can watch videos from locals and tour guides. We're here because we want to see your experience of it, whether you tell it from a tram, your hotel room, a museum or -the top of a mountain- _wait no The Netherlands is flat nevermind_
Natasha, I think that you are a brave girl to go alone to other countries as a tourist! I think those airport immigration staff are trained to be intimidating to purposefully make people nervous! Even as a senior citizen I’ve seen some pretty rude staff who unsmilingly question me ,a native born Canadian, about where I was born considering that the date & location of my birth is written right on my Canadian Passport. I think the scrutinizing of a senior citizen returning home to Canada from New York City after going on a cruise was really unwarranted, and very unappreciated, coming from that woman,who was obviously not born in Canada & had a very thick Indian accent. A rude disrespectful immigrant who came to Canada , perhaps is now has attained landed immigrant status , got a job at the airport , and feels she’s entitled to intimidate an 71 yr old Canadian. And I’ve noticed that the female agents are much worse to deal with than the men. I was fortunately with my husband ( also born here in Montreal, Québec ,Canada). He remained calm as the officer asked questions which are easily answered by looking at our passport ,which has been issued by the Canadian government! So, yes, if you are young , alone, and Russian, they’ll give you the 3rd degree,& try to trip you up. It isn’t just the line of questioning, it is the tone they use!
180km from inhabited Vladivostok, 210km from the Sea of Japan, 600km from Hokkaido, Japan, 50km from China, 270km from North Korea. Practically East Asia where Natasha lived.
At 14:20 I can literally see my office building in the background! The first skyscraper next to your head - cheers from the top floor. Enjoy your time in Warsaw.
@@stellaewunia9783 I dunno, Amsterdam is kinda overrated. Id say Budapest, Prague, Wien etc. are a lot more impressive (even though Budapest is a little bit underfunded; still - imo top 5 cities in the world).
Some people seem to walk through life without any issues. For many of us though, we find ourselves displaced, whether physically or emotionally (or both) due to circumstances outside of our control. We must be stronger and work much harder than those who never face our struggles. However, by persevering, we become stronger than the others. We never take anything for granted because we know the value of everything around us. Natasha, I have been watching your videos for years. Long before everything that is going on today. One thing that I know about you is that you are absolutely brilliant. You alone are capable of great things. I never want you to doubt yourself. It is a very human reaction to look around and compare yourself and your lifestyle to that of those around you, but you are still young! I want you to look at what you have accomplished in the interest of bettering yourself in the past 5 years. Now imagine, with your beautiful mind, where you can take yourself 5 years from now if you keep pushing forward. If you get to read this, I hope you're smiling, because you should be proud of yourself. Whatever it is that you saw in those couples and families at the cafe that you desired for yourself, you will have it all. Please be safe, and enjoy yourself on your first trip to Europe!
Hi.Thank You for your wonderful comment. Natasha is very honest with us. She's brave, but sometimes lacks confidence, which can lead to anxiety. Positive comments like yours help her. We love her!👍
I can't believe you stayed within a 5 minute bike ride from me in Amsterdam!! Tip: For your next trip, ask folks here in the comments that live in the place of your destination for some tips on cheap (but good) restaurants, it would've certainly have saved you some money in Amsterdam. I hope you had a nice time in my city! I especially appreciated your honesty about your emotional experience, it adds depth to your videos that is often lacking with other creators. Most of all, I found it fantastic that I could see your personal growth within just this one video, I think that is really cool. You rock!
As a Dutchie I agree. Groceries are expensive here. If you find a Lidl or Aldi supermarket, it is usually cheaper (those exact supermarkets are also in other European countries). And the Netherlands is more than just Amsterdam, you’ll find a different vibe outside the city. Safe travels!
In my opinion, Natasha has such a large fan base that she could travel to many cities and be guided by fans each time. Being guided by a local is much more interesting. And she would feel less lonely
@@advangaalen1 Helemaal mee eens, Milner is net als Senseo koffie of Radler alcoholvrij zo'n product wat ooit bedacht is, maar beter in de koker van Unilever/DE/Amstel Bier had mogen blijven
As a European from Ireland, so glad to see you got to see Europe. I hope you had a fun stay. Personally, I would say that someone like you is ALWAYS welcome! Because you are open, intelligent and questioning. Please come back!
Please continue sharing your emotions. They don't spoil anything. It is an authentic story of someone who suffered a lot from the consequences of Russian politics. We need these insights because they are more powerful than any form of intellectualized, political discussion. Your videos made me realize how traumatizing it must be to loose your home country as a safe haven to go back to. I can't really imagine that but I can learn from your videos. A lot of people are very quick to judge others with very shallow understanding of the whole situation and then they comment something like "go back to Russia and fix your country". If they would actually listen to your WHOLE story I am very sure they would feel some compassion. As a German citizen I definitely do and I very much hope that you feel welcome in Europe. The European Union is built on the idea of uniting different cultures. Your videos contribute to this idea.
I agree, I was very moved and I learnt so much, we really need this. Thank you Natasha and welcome to Europe! I'm glad you're feeling better now. Ciao from Italy :-)
I am sorry you have to go through such stress. I was watching your vlogs (and those of your peers such as Nikki, Zach, Depressed Russian and more) before all of your stresses began so that I could just learn about my own heritage from Russia (I also have Ukrainian, Lithuanian and Polish heritage). I have watched you and your peers go through all of your brave (and also sorrowful) changes and moves to other countries, and I am proud of all of you for going forward. I wish you all the best and hope you can find a peaceful, happy life someplace. My very best to you all! Thank you for your vlogs. I always watch them and learn so much. May you find the place that you can live someday in peace.
natasha, you are such a unique individual, not just a creator, but a person. i appreciate your candidness. it actually feels sincere and not sensationalized.
I really admire your honesty about your thoughts and feelings that you share in your videos. You are not afraid to be vulnerable with the viewers. I don't think most people would be able to do this. So happy that you are got more relaxed as your travels continued.
I had filling that this view was from Warsaw but I'm not familiar with that part of the capital. Only clue was colors of public transport bus shown in that short video clip. :)
Welcome. Hearing you express your feelings is like a breath of fresh air. No-one does that with true emotion. I hope you find someone nice to share your journey here. We love you.
Dear Natasha, I was very impressed by this video, and congratulations on your excellent English. I lived and worked in your country for many years, and fully understand why you were worried and nervous on your first trip to Western Europe. For me, it was the reverse - I grew up in Western Europe and then went to the Soviet Union in 1991. One of the first things I felt was 'threat', something that was a completely new experience for me. On returning to Europe after several years I was really shocked that this feeling of threat that I experienced on a daily basis in Russia just wasn't there any more! This is not to say I dislike Russia. In fact, I love your country, speak the language fluently, and married a beautiful Russian woman. Together we are the very proud parents of our daughter who is both European and Russian - a very nice mix of the best of East and West. My experience in your country changed the direction of my life, and very much for the better. About the questions asked by the officials at Tbilisi Airport, please understand that these are normal procedures and, though understandably intimidating, are not meant as an attack on you, but of course it is a stressful experience. Please ignore the comments of people who say 'go home and fix your own country'. I can assure you these people do not have the same life experience you have. Желаю Вам всего самого наилучшего в жизни. С любовью и уважением из Ирландии.♥
I’ve been following your channel for I don’t even know how many years now, but it’s been a long time. It warms my heart to see these past few videos about your Western European travel plans.
I have traveled a lot, alone, and so I really appreciate this video. You express so well what so many of us have often felt, but rarely expressed. Thank you and stay strong!
These stresses you go through are shaping the person you will become. And when you think back 30, 40 or 50 years from now you will have only the most fond memories and even wish you could do it again. Wherever life takes you, Natasha, I hope you enjoy what you find there.
You are beautiful, Natasha. It is beautiful the way you open up and show with complete honesty your emotions. It is humbling. You went through a lot of things, yet you are so well-grounded and thriving. Thanks for sharing it, it is truly refreshing.
It's definitely your passport. As an American that's all around Europe quite often, they ask for my passport only, ask "business or leisure", and there's never a follow up. I feel very blessed now for something I didn't realize was privilege. I understand why they do this for Russian citizens, but blanket policy always affects the honest broker too.
Yes it is the passport and i think it has to do with the Dublin agreement and the fact that there has been an increase in russians seeking asylum in Europe after the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The different countries in Europe have also some rules for russian citicens comming to Europe. In some countries you must have a reason for the visit and russian citicens are not welcome as tourists. Part of the sanctions I believe.
As an American, having been to Canada often, which is very stressful (so many questions), first time I went to Italy, they just stamped me in, without a word. It was like, “oh, another American come to eat pasta & see the Coliseum, fine!” Very bizarre and unfortunate how people are treated so differently just because of their passport.
As someone with anxiety and depression issues, I appreciate it when someone like you is so open with such things. It's like, I feel proud of what you're doing and how you're making it through these things ... and then it makes me realise that I can be proud of myself for getting to where I am too! So thank you for sharing all this, your videos make the world better.
Just wanted to say thank you for the candid expressions of your first experiences. I hadn't thought what it might be like for a Russian woman traveling alone to Europe in these times. Everything you say makes sense. I'm glad you are enjoying things so far and I hope you meet some good people on your travels.
Also, I wanted to mention, I personally don't mind if you record with your phone, this is clearly a very interesting moment of your life, something you wanted to do for a long time, and I think you should focus on living it, so don't worry about microphone setup / editing too much. We can watch and still enjoy your stories!
I’m so happy to see you travelling and forging new neural pathways, while so courageously facing your (very understandable) fears. As a Russian voice of your generation, I think you are way more powerful and inspiring than you realise. Love from Norway.
Fantastic, Natasha you are a star reporter on traveling already. The way you speak makes it so easy to identify with your experiences, who has not at some time been sitting in a café and felt different from the others. Indeed you will acclimatize soon and the experiences will build your person to a different Natasha. Nice that you visit the nordic countries as well. Im sure Stockholm has plenty of experiences to offer in every way. Best
In my opinion, you have such a large fan base that you could travel to many cities and be guided by fans each time. Being guided by a local is much more interesting. And you would feel less lonely
Hello from Finland! Imagine I remember 2004. We all believed that Russia would come like Poland is today and we would take train from Helsinki to go to balet at St.Petersburg in a regular base. What a shame.
It's a nice idea but I think Russia would have been vetoed out, just for its size even if relations were really good. It would have gained huge influence in parliament and likely caused a massive surge of migration. Turkey could probably never join for the same reason and it only has about half of Russia's population.
Unfortunately, Russia will never come around like Poland. Majority of Russians are slaves at heart, while majority of Poles are warriors. We fought Russian occupation since forever, incl. last 50 yrs before 1990. Mentally, we were always part of Europe, while Russians are proud to be Russian slaves, they call it Patriortism. Check out "1420 Daniil Orain" for street interviews with Russians.
Russia ćant imagine being in a political system where it's not dominant. They belive they are a race of masters and everyone else is inferior to some degree. A little inferior if your western , barely human if you are central Asian.
@@Rio-by1eh, it is all relative. I lived in the Netherlands for a few years and I was very unhappy there, and no, it was not due to my personal character because I have been to other countries where I felt happy. It was only the Netherlands and her people who made me very unhappy; however, one of my best friends whom I love very much is Dutch and she lives in Rotterdam, where we met.
You're very brave young women, Nasha. And showing your anxiety and weaknesses actually makes you strong. Stay calm, be yourself, and keep showing us your world
I enjoy your videos. Happy the trip is going well. Sorry there are those who are trying to make you feel bad for traveling. IMHO, travel is the best way we have to connect with others and reduce fear and conflict. Really excited to hear about your visit to Copenhagen, my home city for the past 13 years.
Sending moral support. I’ve been following you for the past few years, since the Russian Far East. Love your videos and thoughtfulness. Stay strong and best wishes from Barcelona!
*"Since the Russian Far East":* > Those were the days, my friend, > I thought they'd never end. > We'd sing and dance forever and a day. > We lived the life we chose, > We fought and never lost, > For we were young and sure to have our way. > La la la la la, > La la la la la, > La la la la la, > Those were the days. 🎶
If you were surprised by the prices in the Netherlands, then you might be shocked by the prices in Scandinavia. And I am not talking about Switzerland. But anyway, welcome to Europe! Do not let negative emotions to take over you.
I have been watching you for more than two years now. So cool that you made it to Poland. Can't wait for your impressions of my country. 😍 Sad I am not in Poland right now. I would love to meet you.
Sometimes my cat would escape out the front door. He would always stop in shock that he was outdoors and be overwhelmed by all of the directions he could go. Then I would pick him up and bring him back inside.😂Fortunately, you are not a cat and can now be free to run where you want. So proud of your courage, growth, and the self-awareness of your feelings.
Your anxiety is authentically and courageously revealed. This is not just a story about the girl getting out of Russia. It's about getting Russia out of the girl.
The Netherlands is a rich country. Very safe. The hotel is friendly because you are paying them. The hotel workers definitely don't care about people's immigration status. Honestly the hard part (passport control) is over and your trip should be much less stressful now. Have a great time on your trip :)
As for the questions at the border: these (irritating) questions are normal, and particularly for visitors from outside of the EU. As a Dutch citizen I hope you enjoyed Amsterdam and managed to stay away from the (boring) tourist traps. I was very impressed about the way you talked about your anxieties. I think most people will have these (to a certain degree), but perhaps they have learned to live with these. It shows great courage to discuss these in a video and share it on YT. 💪🙏
The border folk would be worried if you are not nervous. I cross the US-Canada border all the time and I always freak out with US immigration but they’re just doing their job 👍
hey natasha, i just wanted to say that you are so brave and strong! listening to you sharing your anxieties and worries so openly feels so validating, because i also often feel this way. i literally "whoohoo"'d outloud when i heard that you overcame your fears and actually started enjoying things here! im glad you like it here and we will be cheering for you, so you can live where you want to live. you can do it! ♥
Hey, Natka, you are a warm and nice person, many people who follow you here keep their fingers crossed for you and wish you have a good time in the EU, I know that your life is not easy now, but remember that even if you are physically alone, you always have people who simply think warmly of you
I loved this video. Very honest and informative. A little staggered but you spoke about why that was and its fine. Your gaining more confidence with every video and its awesome to see! Cant wait for the next one!
I think that you are a very brave young lady and your concerns about travelling alone are quite understandable .You showed us your vulnerabilities which are also understandable but that you are overcoming. Looking forward to seeing more of your travels. Best wishes from the UK.
I was thinking the same , Western Europe is generally safe (certainly safer than Russia) but you are still a lady travelling alone so be careful especially after dark . Have a great time and you are helping your mother country by showing Russians can be decent people
Natasha, the people at the Dutch airport customs weren't really all that interested in your destinations, tickets, and reservations. They were mainly studying your reactions to their questions, your attitude, your demeanor, and how you handled yourself. The very fact that you were slighty nervous and cautious but had answers to their questions that weren't prepared or overly percise showed them that you were genuine. Also your involuntary body language, eye movements etc. If you hadn't found any information about your flight to Malmö and had become confused about your itinerary, that wouldn't have been a big problem. That's not what they were looking for. They expected you to be nervous and wanted to see **how** you were nervous. They wanted to see if you were nervous about being "caught" (which you of course weren't), or if you were just nervous about the situation and afraid something might go wrong, which you were.
@@jj-if6it First, customs offilcials aren't "airport workers". And no, they're not psychologists. But, customs officials who do duty at certain entry points are most definitely trained to judge people's reactions and behavior. This isn't some advanced therapy session or a Vulcan mind-melt, it's a quick assessement of the travelers. They're looking for tell tale signs. It's much like how some security people at casinos work. And yes, with most of the questions they ask they're not looking for detailed exact answers, they want general information but also very very definitely observe how a traveler reacts and behaves. There are also further officials watching on cameras. Don't be naive, Schiphol is a major entry point into the EU, not a tourist agency. People with bad intentions tend to act differently than travelers like Natasha, and the customs officials are trained to at least try and spot them.
@@jj-if6itAirport worker? To be an immigration officer you need around a batchelor degree education and then do years of training. They are smarter than you think and clearly smarter than you.
@@loislane5092 your pompous drivel is a masterclass in ideological self-delusion, dressing up airport customs as some clandestine psychological operation. The reality is far less glamorous-these are underpaid, minimally trained workers following a checklist, not masterminds of human behavior analysis. Your attempt to elevate them to the status of professional interrogators is a laughable distortion of reality. @jj-if6it’s straightforward take cuts through your intellectual arrogance with the clarity of truth: they’re checking for plans, not probing the depths of anyone’s psyche. You should be ashamed of your condescension and ideological pretensions, which are as empty as they are misleading.
I'm so excited for you Natasha! It has been so long since I've been in Europe. But I loved my time there. I hope you find it as nice as I did. I'm glad your fears have subsided. Europe is as safe, and in many ways more safe, as America. Enjoy your time. You are a remarkable girl and I love watching your videos. Thank you for them.
15:15 it looks like you have an EN57 train set in the background in the "Koleje Mazowieckie" livery so this is probably Warsaw. Welcome to Poland, Natasha!
Natasha I am glad to know that you are visiting Western Europe. I send you all friendship and support. I am very touched by this video. You are performing a service to the world by recounting your experiences in this very troubled time,.
Going into a new situation is a standard for stress. Also, you are not on solid ground due to your Russian status and you were introspective enough to know this. This is great.
I can symapthize with you in this video so much. Traveled a lot in EU as a solo girl traveler from E. Europe. Passing the border was always 50/50 chance of being asked a lot of weird questions about logistics. It is anxiety inducing. Feeling anxious to go out alone, especialy at night in some EU cities is also 100% resonable. Dont feel bad about acknowledging that when its how it is. You are a smart girl. Stay safe and enjoy your trip
Each of the four times I visited the US I got the weird questions treatment. Apart from there, the only place I experienced that was on a train to Warsaw before the wall came down. DDR police came onto the train and put us through it.
It's great to see Amsterdam/EU through your eyes. I remember my first visits to the Western Europe after my country joined the EU some 20 years ago. I was equally overwhelmed. At the same time, the excitement I felt was so palpable I decided to study in Scotland and later in Amsterdam. I still remember the sense of discovery and adventure I felt but also a sense of loneliness, anxiety, and deep-rooted inferiority. I guess that's only one of the scars that authoritarian regimes leave on people for generations and it's a tragedy that Kremlin is stirring things up again. In any case, good luck in your travels and, if I may say so, welcome to Europe! It suits you. I think you'll fit right in!
Being independent is a personal freedom that few people attain. Living your life as you choose, free from others' opinions on matters that concern you, and leaving your origins behind, can be a lonely experience. Venturing beyond familiar boundaries can also bring a sense of solitude. Embracing loneliness and the unknown can be both an anxious and liberating choice. After exploring your surroundings, identifying key locations, and becoming self-sufficient, the anxiety and lure of loneliness may subside. You might even start to appreciate and enjoy your time alone. Natasha, you’ve chosen a better life for yourself.
Don't listen to the idiots telling you to go back to Russia. What's happening there is not your fault, and you have no responsibility to try to "fix" it. I'm glad you were able to get away from there. I hope you have a nice trip, and enjoy yourself.
Well please tell me who will change Russia? It wont change itself, will it? Nobody kicks her out but for f@k sake any ideas how current regime will change? They gonna resign or what? All milestones of citizen rights came from revolutions and they always come at a price.
No, but the more Russians outside of Russia they will spread their harmful ideologies. Just look at Georgia, hostile nations to Europe deserve to be quarantined.
Everyone has a responsibility to fix their own country, even when it's not their fault. You too, in your own country, by the way and it's a bit concerning if you were born in a democracy and still don't know that. However it doesn't mean this is only on her shoulders and under such circumstances it's totally fine to decide to do it from another country. You can contribute to the fixing from outside too.
Natasha, you are a brave young lady who conquers your fears and marches ahead despite them. I think that anxiety is normal when traveling to places that are so foreign to you. Unfortunately you have an added fear in that so many Western European countries are hostile to Russians! You are also accustoming yourself to this adventure and are beginning to enjoy this exciting trip. Good luck and keep us posted.
Natasha, you are a beautiful soul. I’m so glad you escaped Comrade Putin’s dictatorship. Just know, that despite the negative comments from some people about how you should have stayed in Russia to “fix your country” (as if you even could at this point), there are large numbers of us that are so glad you escaped to freedom! Cheers from Colorado, USA! One day, I hope in your travels you have the ability to visit my amazing home state, and the breathtaking beauty that is the Rocky Mountain region of North America.
As a European, I wholeheartedly second this! I'm not much of a travel guy, personally, but there's no denying that when looking at the full scope of human civilization, the amount of sights to see, people to meet, bars to get wasted in, or whatever else one may be interested in... And then realize that there are people who think some populations or ethnic groups should be specifically penalized from experiencing all that, just plain morbid if you ask me. And yeah, the "fix your country" argument in this case is just plain detachment from reality... As you pointed out aswell, it's a dictatorship, so what do they expect her to do, vote??? Obviously when tyranny and authoritarianism reach critical mass, the options there are in adressing it are almost non-existent when compared to what, say, you and I for example, have. A ghastly reality to be sure, maybe even an ominous warning to what could very well happen even to a western democracy, without vigilance. But it's also a reminder of what we have that's worth fighting for.
Welcome, Natasha. Don't let the comments of people who know nothing about you ruin your "adventure" in Europe. Enjoy the positive things and learn from the negative ones. I wish you a wonderful trip. Good luck and… пока пока
I can understand you completely, as I know this somewhat strange questioning. The people who are to be identified with this questioning, for example in the case of illegal entry, are probably very well prepared for this procedure. It is actually the normal tourists who are completely confused by these detailed questions. Airports are Schengen's external borders, which are particularly secured. I will watch the rest of your video tomorrow, as it is already 02:38 AM.
That is an interesting observation! I have always been flummoxed when returning to my home country especially. Often border agents will quiz me and my children as to our activities on our holiday. It rattles and annoys me every time. It must be such a difficult job.
@@yelyak That's interesting. When you entered your home country, were you questioned by your own border officials about your previous travel destinations? The question is whether they were just curious or were they hoping that you would let slip something compromising.
@@yelyakThat is interesting indeed. Not every country is the same on this. From my own experience, I have observed generally that the EU and UK don't question their own citizens at all, and usually you just enter using an automatic passport gate. The US, on the other hand, questions everybody, including their own citizens (unless you pay to be vetted in advance for fast entry).
@@adhillA97The U.S. have a strange belief that everyone is desperate to live there. Even if you have a beautiful villa on the shores of Lake Como or the Côte d’Azur, or a castle on the Rhine or the west coast of Ireland, you secretly want to wash dishes in an ethnic restaurant in Pittsburg.
@@Dreyno But even if I _was_ desperate to move there (I'm not), I have the constitutional right to as a US Citizen and they _still_ question me! It seems crazy.
Natasha, I live in Copenhagen, and if you need somebody to drink coffee please don’t hesitate to reach out 🥹 I would be glad to meet you, and share my love to this country. I go to Malmö quite often as well so we could meet there as well. Have a nice trip! Enjoy and be relaxed because is safe in Scandinavia 🎈
Welcome to Europe Natasha. The stress & anxiety are only normal & I am glad to hear you were able to put them aside & enjoy your time here. This was a well filmed vlog documenting your travel. I am sure you know that you have a lot of support already so keep your head held high. Life here is expensive on many levels especially since covid 19. Any how take care, try to relax & enjoy the travel. 👍😃
You are so brave and you are doing amazing. When I was 23 I was teaching English in Japan. Twice I had to go alone to Korea to deal with visa issues. I cried. I couldn’t speak a word of Korean but could recognize the Chinese characters for the cardinal directions in the city (Seoul the first time, Pusan the second). But I took myself to sightsee and I met other solo travelers! This is how you’ll meet new people. I used to stay in hostels, not hotels. But that was 30 years ago. Have fun!
Welcome Natasha! It's amazing to see how the stress just disappeared from you after a few weeks in western Europe, you look well! I hope you had a great time in my country (The Netherlands) and that you had the chance to explore a bit more than just Amsterdam. Looking forward to seeing your adventures!
I’m so glad your anxiety went away! Western Europe is great. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to your future videos. As for your Pasadena shirt, I love it! I lived in Pasadena for many years. I’ve since moved to Seattle, but when I see your shirt it reminds me of home! I hope you keep wearing it. 😊
Your internal thoughts are what makes this channel so great. Enjoy your travels, you are human same as another other Russian or westerner and will be loved for who you are not where you are from.
Having grown up during the end of Cold War and the hope of opening up former Soviet republics then compared to return of hostility today, your travel videos and commentary are a reminder of the spirit of openness
Hey Natasha, don’t worry so much about filming your travels for us. We really appreciate it, but you need to enjoy your self and your travels! It’s all going to be alright, filming in front of strangers in new countries takes a lot of confidence!
Super interesting, thanks for sharing your thoughts and being so honest about your feelings and fears in the beginning. I am always anxious in my first days of my trip 😅. Have a good time! ❤ Greetings from northern Germany 😃
Thank you for sharing the experience with us! You managed the anxiety very well. "I will enjoy overcoming all my fears" very powerful words. At that point I was sure it was going to get better from there.
Thank you so much for being so truthful and sharing your experiences and your anxieties because so many people have them but never discuss them. You definitely will have a wonderful life. I know that.💙💐
In 2015, I traveled to Russia as a tourist for the first time, and my feelings as a woman travelling alone were very similar to yours. But after I had arrived, all my fears disappeared and I had the best time of my life and visited a lot of places in Russia during the following years - until unfortunately Covid and the "Special Military Operation" put an end to this. I hope you will receive the same warm welcome in Western Europe as I received in Russia. Let us hope that the day will come when times get better and both of us will be able to have a good time in Russia again.
I think many people can empathise with the apprehension you were feeling Natasha, being alone in an unfamiliar city in a different country. You have done really well to overcome that uncertainty, and it is clear from the closing part of your video you have built more self-confidence, which is great. Still take care though because not everywhere may be as safe as it appears.
Wow - the difference between the start and the end of the video are night and day. One could see the anxiety lifted from you as you gained trust in yourself and your surroundings. I get a sense of PTSD induced by what your have been thru as Russian, and in Russia. Your comment about internet 'inside' is very telling. If you have time, look on TH-cam for a song by Billy Joel called "Leningrad" - it ends with the line "We never knew what friends we had until we came to Leningrad'. Hope you make it to the states sometime Pasadena is beautiful. Safe travels!
That was a lovely video. I had a similar experience in Puerto Rico where i was going there to work and waiting for the cruise ship I was working on to arrive. It took 2 days to arrive and I never left the hotel because of anxiety. I was 21 at the time. I'm now 62 and would no longer give it a second thought. I would be out exploring no problem. I'm so glad you are now enjoying your European break. Best of luck in your travels, I always enjoy your videos.
I feel everywhere in the Anthroposphere equally at home. Maybe with the exception of the Pleistocene. That felt a bit alien. I couldn't find a shared mental plane with _Homo heidelbergensis._
I am so happy that you are in Western Europe! Don’t worry about the trouble you had at border control. I get similar grilling and scrutiny when I travel alone. I think it is standard procedure for border security to be very suspicious of anyone traveling alone. Also, when you have a passport that shows little or no previous travel in Europe, that also raises suspicion. But now that you are there in the EU you won’t have any problems. You will be just another foreign visitor like all the thousands of others. About the expense, don’t worry, prices are always crazy high in big popular cities like Amsterdam. Prices are much much less in small, less popular cities and small towns.
Exactly right. Had a terrible time trying to enter the US soon after 9/11. The customs officer was grilling me but then my Filipino mother-in-law came and stood beside me. The officer immediately waved us through.
Natasha, I've been watching your videos for several years now. As an older man, and a veteran traveler, I would like to say that I am very proud of you. You are stepping out of your "Comfort Zone" in a very big way, and as a result, you are steeping into your "Learning Zone." I am not sure if you are still in Amsterdam, but if you are, I would offer you these suggestions for visiting: the Anne Frank House, Vondel Park, the RijksMuseum, and for less expensive food, try some of the cheaper restaurants in the Chinese District. You are probably going to smell a lot of marijuana-which is quite usual in Amsterdam and, yes, she amazing amounts of diversity. Amsterdam has historically been an "open," "democratic" and global city for many centuries given its proximity to the sea and its traditions of sailing and commerce. Also know that during WWII, even there, when it was German occupied 11 of every 14 Jews were killed, sadly. But on the opposite side of that hatred, was the kindness and hopefulness of young Anne Frank. You embody those values of hope and kindness. Been Camino = Spanish for Safe Travels.
I really admire you. You need a lot of courage and strength to do what you do. It's normal to loose some confidence when you're out of your comfort zone. I hope you feel better and you get to enjoy Europe as much as possible.
13:51 wooow that's Warsaw Poland!!! You can see on the top left corner the writing 'na sprzedaż' which means 'for sale'. I am so glad you visited Poland. Sorry for spamming with comments, I am commenting while watching the video 😊
wishing you the best of luck !! the netherlands is amazing, full of the kindest people & beautiful culture.. but this has been my experience in most of western europe ! i am sure your brave trip will lead to only the best unexpected & wonderful opportunities
Let me say up frnt Natasha you are to be admired. You had the presents of mind to escape Russia while the getting was good and you are a very brave young lady. You the set up a new life in a new country Georgia and now you are brave enough to travel allover Western Europe! You are a hero and don't listen to anyone who attacks you just, because your Russian it doesn't matter your ethnic background it matters your character and your values which as far as I can see from your videos are all in the right place. Their is nothing to be ashamed of for being nervous in a new country and a new situation until you get used to it and then everything settles down to more or less normal again! Have a great time in Europe it is a great place to visit and travel in! I can hardly wait for your next video.
@@londonwestman1 Pasta in restaurants always looks nice, but sure, it's in the center of the capital, and there has been inflation... let's say it's twice
As a dual US/EU citizen it's always eye opening hearing these types of stories and how easy it is for us to travel to most places. Usually the only question that is asked (if any) is how long we're going to stay, but nobody ever asks to see any tickets, hotel reservations or anything, or what places we might visit.
I am from an EØS country, not EU, lucky enough . Travelled many places in the world. USA demand the hotel for the first night. Also pay and enter a web site to get acknowledgment to visit. Take a copy of all your fingers, mine is shaded by age so a long story to achieve 😬😂 Europe you can pass by enter your passport on a machine with no hassle at all.
@@per995 Before I became a US citizen I was only a EU citizen, and was never asked to provide information about a hotel stay or anything like that. The travel authorization nonsense (similar to Australia) didn't exist back then.
Hah! This reminds me of the intense grilling I got once crossing from the US (my country) into Canada because I had an extra carton of cigarettes with me which I didn’t know weren’t allowed (i quit smoking 40 years ago now).
@@tomb5372 In earlier days we had to visit the US embassy in Norway to get a stamp in your passport. I will believe that that was the only options at the time some 20:years ago if you came from Europe generally. Had a B1 for some years, but a customs guy took the memory from me on a outdated passport I showed him😡 Easier to enter from Mexico or Canada.
@@BTinSF Time change😬As a Norwegian you can bring back just 5x20 cigarettes if you return home from abroad as duty free😂 Try visiting Australia with cigarettes😂
You were dealt a tough circumstance. But you have worked hard to make good out of it. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Welcome to the EU. I am. Glad you got to come over. Enjoy your discoveries and exploration. I am excited to read your impressions of Europe. Have a great time. You have now started your first trip here, and it is the first of many. Your videos of the Russia and Georgia are amazing and instructive. Great job
I found your self-reflection WAY more interesting than any touristy stuff outside. I want to see more content like this.
Yeah, if we want to learn about what there is to do in the Netherlands, we can watch videos from locals and tour guides. We're here because we want to see your experience of it, whether you tell it from a tram, your hotel room, a museum or -the top of a mountain- _wait no The Netherlands is flat nevermind_
I mean, you can't force content like this. It's spontaneous.
Natasha, I think that you are a brave girl to go alone to other countries as a tourist! I think those airport immigration staff are trained to be intimidating to purposefully make people nervous! Even as a senior citizen I’ve seen some pretty rude staff who unsmilingly question me ,a native born Canadian, about where I was born considering that the date & location of my birth is written right on my Canadian Passport. I think the scrutinizing of a senior citizen returning home to Canada from New York City after going on a cruise was really unwarranted, and very unappreciated, coming from that woman,who was obviously not born in Canada & had a very thick Indian accent. A rude disrespectful immigrant who came to Canada , perhaps is now has attained landed immigrant status , got a job at the airport , and feels she’s entitled to intimidate an 71 yr old Canadian. And I’ve noticed that the female agents are much worse to deal with than the men. I was fortunately with my husband ( also born here in Montreal, Québec ,Canada). He remained calm as the officer asked questions which are easily answered by looking at our passport ,which has been issued by the Canadian government! So, yes, if you are young , alone, and Russian, they’ll give you the 3rd degree,& try to trip you up. It isn’t just the line of questioning, it is the tone they use!
@@jts-x5k Basically, what you saying is, they don't discriminate!
@@adhillA97 From the top of the dom in Utrecht you can see a long way, as far as Amsterdam even. For centuries it was the tallest building in Europe.
Natasha has come A LONG WAY from her youth in Siberia. She has had a crazy and eventful personal journey. Good Luck Young Lady.
180km from inhabited Vladivostok, 210km from the Sea of Japan, 600km from Hokkaido, Japan, 50km from China, 270km from North Korea. Practically East Asia where Natasha lived.
It's not her first contact with the outside world. She had apparently studied in the USA.
@@brexitgreens Yes, he's been out in the USA, and he's also been to Montenegro.
@@brexitgreens + And With luck, he will travel the world.
@@peltarlendori7027It absolutely is east Asia but it’s classed as “Russian Far East”. The most easterly part of the continent is in Russia.
At 14:20 I can literally see my office building in the background! The first skyscraper next to your head - cheers from the top floor. Enjoy your time in Warsaw.
Must be a big culture shock going from Amsterdam to Warsaw haha
I knew iiit! Saw the yellow and red bus! :D
Berlin was in Between…
So it’s seem like every country is visited 😊
@@stellaewunia9783 I dunno, Amsterdam is kinda overrated. Id say Budapest, Prague, Wien etc. are a lot more impressive (even though Budapest is a little bit underfunded; still - imo top 5 cities in the world).
wtf?
Some people seem to walk through life without any issues. For many of us though, we find ourselves displaced, whether physically or emotionally (or both) due to circumstances outside of our control. We must be stronger and work much harder than those who never face our struggles. However, by persevering, we become stronger than the others. We never take anything for granted because we know the value of everything around us.
Natasha, I have been watching your videos for years. Long before everything that is going on today. One thing that I know about you is that you are absolutely brilliant. You alone are capable of great things. I never want you to doubt yourself. It is a very human reaction to look around and compare yourself and your lifestyle to that of those around you, but you are still young! I want you to look at what you have accomplished in the interest of bettering yourself in the past 5 years. Now imagine, with your beautiful mind, where you can take yourself 5 years from now if you keep pushing forward.
If you get to read this, I hope you're smiling, because you should be proud of yourself. Whatever it is that you saw in those couples and families at the cafe that you desired for yourself, you will have it all.
Please be safe, and enjoy yourself on your first trip to Europe!
Hi.Thank You for your wonderful comment. Natasha is very honest with us. She's brave, but sometimes lacks confidence, which can lead to anxiety. Positive comments like yours help her. We love her!👍
Slava Ukraini!
lovely comment
Well said !
Well said! This kind comments I can only appreciate. She would love this comment for sure!
You're more thoughtful and intelligent than a lot of tourists would be!
I can't believe you stayed within a 5 minute bike ride from me in Amsterdam!! Tip: For your next trip, ask folks here in the comments that live in the place of your destination for some tips on cheap (but good) restaurants, it would've certainly have saved you some money in Amsterdam. I hope you had a nice time in my city! I especially appreciated your honesty about your emotional experience, it adds depth to your videos that is often lacking with other creators. Most of all, I found it fantastic that I could see your personal growth within just this one video, I think that is really cool. You rock!
As a Dutchie I agree. Groceries are expensive here. If you find a Lidl or Aldi supermarket, it is usually cheaper (those exact supermarkets are also in other European countries). And the Netherlands is more than just Amsterdam, you’ll find a different vibe outside the city. Safe travels!
Great advice. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
In my opinion, Natasha has such a large fan base that she could travel to many cities and be guided by fans each time.
Being guided by a local is much more interesting.
And she would feel less lonely
And dont buy Milner cheese. It is low fat. Not lekker.
@@advangaalen1 Helemaal mee eens, Milner is net als Senseo koffie of Radler alcoholvrij zo'n product wat ooit bedacht is, maar beter in de koker van Unilever/DE/Amstel Bier had mogen blijven
As a European from Ireland, so glad to see you got to see Europe. I hope you had a fun stay. Personally, I would say that someone like you is ALWAYS welcome! Because you are open, intelligent and questioning. Please come back!
Please continue sharing your emotions. They don't spoil anything. It is an authentic story of someone who suffered a lot from the consequences of Russian politics. We need these insights because they are more powerful than any form of intellectualized, political discussion. Your videos made me realize how traumatizing it must be to loose your home country as a safe haven to go back to. I can't really imagine that but I can learn from your videos.
A lot of people are very quick to judge others with very shallow understanding of the whole situation and then they comment something like "go back to Russia and fix your country". If they would actually listen to your WHOLE story I am very sure they would feel some compassion. As a German citizen I definitely do and I very much hope that you feel welcome in Europe. The European Union is built on the idea of uniting different cultures. Your videos contribute to this idea.
I agree, I was very moved and I learnt so much, we really need this. Thank you Natasha and welcome to Europe! I'm glad you're feeling better now. Ciao from Italy :-)
She suffer from not being maried yound and not having kids, females can't control their emotions they need a man to control them
@@randolf84 These are supportive comments. No one is insulting you.
@@randolf84 weirdo 😂.
You are very quick in removing comments from people asking you to go back to Russia.
I wonder why?
I am sorry you have to go through such stress. I was watching your vlogs (and those of your peers such as Nikki, Zach, Depressed Russian and more) before all of your stresses began so that I could just learn about my own heritage from Russia (I also have Ukrainian, Lithuanian and Polish heritage). I have watched you and your peers go through all of your brave (and also sorrowful) changes and moves to other countries, and I am proud of all of you for going forward. I wish you all the best and hope you can find a peaceful, happy life someplace. My very best to you all! Thank you for your vlogs. I always watch them and learn so much. May you find the place that you can live someday in peace.
lovely! Cheeers to you Alllison
natasha, you are such a unique individual, not just a creator, but a person. i appreciate your candidness. it actually feels sincere and not sensationalized.
уникальная личность 😂 обычная девочка из русской провинции которую воспитал интернет
I really admire your honesty about your thoughts and feelings that you share in your videos. You are not afraid to be vulnerable with the viewers. I don't think most people would be able to do this. So happy that you are got more relaxed as your travels continued.
I had filling that this view was from Warsaw but I'm not familiar with that part of the capital. Only clue was colors of public transport bus shown in that short video clip. :)
Hello how are you. I am from India ❤
You are so very brave Natasha, and should be rightly proud of conquering your fears. Enjoy you travels in Europe. Best wishes from the UK.
Welcome. Hearing you express your feelings is like a breath of fresh air. No-one does that with true emotion. I hope you find someone nice to share your journey here. We love you.
Dear Natasha, I was very impressed by this video, and congratulations on your excellent English. I lived and worked in your country for many years, and fully understand why you were worried and nervous on your first trip to Western Europe. For me, it was the reverse - I grew up in Western Europe and then went to the Soviet Union in 1991. One of the first things I felt was 'threat', something that was a completely new experience for me. On returning to Europe after several years I was really shocked that this feeling of threat that I experienced on a daily basis in Russia just wasn't there any more! This is not to say I dislike Russia. In fact, I love your country, speak the language fluently, and married a beautiful Russian woman. Together we are the very proud parents of our daughter who is both European and Russian - a very nice mix of the best of East and West. My experience in your country changed the direction of my life, and very much for the better. About the questions asked by the officials at Tbilisi Airport, please understand that these are normal procedures and, though understandably intimidating, are not meant as an attack on you, but of course it is a stressful experience. Please ignore the comments of people who say 'go home and fix your own country'. I can assure you these people do not have the same life experience you have. Желаю Вам всего самого наилучшего в жизни. С любовью и уважением из Ирландии.♥
I’ve been following your channel for I don’t even know how many years now, but it’s been a long time. It warms my heart to see these past few videos about your Western European travel plans.
I have traveled a lot, alone, and so I really appreciate this video. You express so well what so many of us have often felt, but rarely expressed. Thank you and stay strong!
These stresses you go through are shaping the person you will become. And when you think back 30, 40 or 50 years from now you will have only the most fond memories and even wish you could do it again. Wherever life takes you, Natasha, I hope you enjoy what you find there.
west europe is ruined by non white people
Well, if she is back 50 years from now the “green revolution” will have turned it into a communist hell so maybe just leave that one!
This comment made me wanna go live my life
@@RafaelW8 🤣🤣. Me too, in a way.
As an old guy, I can confirm, this is really good advice.
You are beautiful, Natasha. It is beautiful the way you open up and show with complete honesty your emotions. It is humbling. You went through a lot of things, yet you are so well-grounded and thriving. Thanks for sharing it, it is truly refreshing.
It's definitely your passport. As an American that's all around Europe quite often, they ask for my passport only, ask "business or leisure", and there's never a follow up. I feel very blessed now for something I didn't realize was privilege.
I understand why they do this for Russian citizens, but blanket policy always affects the honest broker too.
If you're German they don't even ask. They know it's tourism😂
Yes it is the passport and i think it has to do with the Dublin agreement and the fact that there has been an increase in russians seeking asylum in Europe after the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The different countries in Europe have also some rules for russian citicens comming to Europe. In some countries you must have a reason for the visit and russian citicens are not welcome as tourists. Part of the sanctions I believe.
As an American, having been to Canada often, which is very stressful (so many questions), first time I went to Italy, they just stamped me in, without a word. It was like, “oh, another American come to eat pasta & see the Coliseum, fine!” Very bizarre and unfortunate how people are treated so differently just because of their passport.
As someone with anxiety and depression issues, I appreciate it when someone like you is so open with such things. It's like, I feel proud of what you're doing and how you're making it through these things ... and then it makes me realise that I can be proud of myself for getting to where I am too! So thank you for sharing all this, your videos make the world better.
Just wanted to say thank you for the candid expressions of your first experiences. I hadn't thought what it might be like for a Russian woman traveling alone to Europe in these times. Everything you say makes sense. I'm glad you are enjoying things so far and I hope you meet some good people on your travels.
Also, I wanted to mention, I personally don't mind if you record with your phone, this is clearly a very interesting moment of your life, something you wanted to do for a long time, and I think you should focus on living it, so don't worry about microphone setup / editing too much. We can watch and still enjoy your stories!
I’m so happy to see you travelling and forging new neural pathways, while so courageously facing your (very understandable) fears. As a Russian voice of your generation, I think you are way more powerful and inspiring than you realise. Love from Norway.
Fantastic, Natasha you are a star reporter on traveling already. The way you speak makes it so easy to identify with your experiences, who has not at some time been sitting in a café and felt different from the others. Indeed you will acclimatize soon and the experiences will build your person to a different Natasha. Nice that you visit the nordic countries as well. Im sure Stockholm has plenty of experiences to offer in every way. Best
In my opinion, you have such a large fan base that you could travel to many cities and be guided by fans each time.
Being guided by a local is much more interesting.
And you would feel less lonely
Lol most if not all her fans want to sleep with her. Not sure how she feels about that.
Hello from Finland! Imagine I remember 2004. We all believed that Russia would come like Poland is today and we would take train from Helsinki to go to balet at St.Petersburg in a regular base. What a shame.
It's a nice idea but I think Russia would have been vetoed out, just for its size even if relations were really good. It would have gained huge influence in parliament and likely caused a massive surge of migration.
Turkey could probably never join for the same reason and it only has about half of Russia's population.
@@Wozza365 I was not talking about EU membership.
Unfortunately, Russia will never come around like Poland.
Majority of Russians are slaves at heart, while majority of Poles are warriors.
We fought Russian occupation since forever, incl. last 50 yrs before 1990.
Mentally, we were always part of Europe, while Russians are proud to be Russian slaves, they call it Patriortism.
Check out "1420 Daniil Orain" for street interviews with Russians.
We were never that naive in Latvia. We know what kind of disease ruscism is.
Russia ćant imagine being in a political system where it's not dominant. They belive they are a race of masters and everyone else is inferior to some degree. A little inferior if your western , barely human if you are central Asian.
It's great that you have the courage to go on a trip like this. I hope your path also takes you through Germany. Have fun on your journey!
The view from the hotel room in the end looked like Berlin.
I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip once you conquered your fears. The Netherlands can be proud to have had you as a guest.
Netherlands has an amazing society of educated open minded people ….
@@Rio-by1eh, it is all relative. I lived in the Netherlands for a few years and I was very unhappy there, and no, it was not due to my personal character because I have been to other countries where I felt happy. It was only the Netherlands and her people who made me very unhappy; however, one of my best friends whom I love very much is Dutch and she lives in Rotterdam, where we met.
@@newmankidman5763Interesting!
No we aren’t. We don’t need Russians here.
@@newmankidman5763
same
You're very brave young women, Nasha. And showing your anxiety and weaknesses actually makes you strong. Stay calm, be yourself, and keep showing us your world
I enjoy your videos. Happy the trip is going well. Sorry there are those who are trying to make you feel bad for traveling. IMHO, travel is the best way we have to connect with others and reduce fear and conflict. Really excited to hear about your visit to Copenhagen, my home city for the past 13 years.
It’s nice to experience such authenticity from a TH-camr. Please keep making more videos like this. We can all relate.
Sending moral support. I’ve been following you for the past few years, since the Russian Far East. Love your videos and thoughtfulness. Stay strong and best wishes from Barcelona!
*"Since the Russian Far East":*
> Those were the days, my friend,
> I thought they'd never end.
> We'd sing and dance forever and a day.
> We lived the life we chose,
> We fought and never lost,
> For we were young and sure to have our way.
> La la la la la,
> La la la la la,
> La la la la la,
> Those were the days.
🎶
I love your attitude Natasha! Keep exploring! Love from Norway!
If you were surprised by the prices in the Netherlands, then you might be shocked by the prices in Scandinavia. And I am not talking about Switzerland.
But anyway, welcome to Europe! Do not let negative emotions to take over you.
I have been watching you for more than two years now. So cool that you made it to Poland. Can't wait for your impressions of my country. 😍 Sad I am not in Poland right now. I would love to meet you.
I hope you're enjoying Europe Natasha! Love your content - it's always so thoughtful and honest.
Sometimes my cat would escape out the front door. He would always stop in shock that he was outdoors and be overwhelmed by all of the directions he could go. Then I would pick him up and bring him back inside.😂Fortunately, you are not a cat and can now be free to run where you want. So proud of your courage, growth, and the self-awareness of your feelings.
It's an escape game they play, and once they win, they really don't know what to do with themselves. It can be quite hilarious.
Your honest is the thing that keeps your channel running... Welcome to our 🇪🇺
EU ruined Greece
Your anxiety is authentically and courageously revealed. This is not just a story about the girl getting out of Russia. It's about getting Russia out of the girl.
The Netherlands is a rich country. Very safe. The hotel is friendly because you are paying them. The hotel workers definitely don't care about people's immigration status. Honestly the hard part (passport control) is over and your trip should be much less stressful now. Have a great time on your trip :)
Netherlands is safe must be real bulshit.
As for the questions at the border: these (irritating) questions are normal, and particularly for visitors from outside of the EU. As a Dutch citizen I hope you enjoyed Amsterdam and managed to stay away from the (boring) tourist traps.
I was very impressed about the way you talked about your anxieties. I think most people will have these (to a certain degree), but perhaps they have learned to live with these. It shows great courage to discuss these in a video and share it on YT. 💪🙏
One tourist trap I don't regret seeing was the Rijksmuseum. How else is someone supposed to see up close and real those great paintings?
The border folk would be worried if you are not nervous. I cross the US-Canada border all the time and I always freak out with US immigration but they’re just doing their job 👍
@@BTinSF True. But I don't consider this to be a tourist trap.
@@BTinSFI'll have to go next time. I prioritised the Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank house
hey natasha, i just wanted to say that you are so brave and strong! listening to you sharing your anxieties and worries so openly feels so validating, because i also often feel this way. i literally "whoohoo"'d outloud when i heard that you overcame your fears and actually started enjoying things here! im glad you like it here and we will be cheering for you, so you can live where you want to live. you can do it! ♥
Hey you, brave young woman! I have been following your channel for some time.I wish you all the best for your future.
Herzlich Willkommen in Schengen-Europa! Schön, dass Du hier bist! Ich wünsche Dir gute Erlebnisse! Danke für Deine Videos!
Hey, Natka, you are a warm and nice person, many people who follow you here keep their fingers crossed for you and wish you have a good time in the EU, I know that your life is not easy now, but remember that even if you are physically alone, you always have people who simply think warmly of you
I loved this video. Very honest and informative. A little staggered but you spoke about why that was and its fine. Your gaining more confidence with every video and its awesome to see! Cant wait for the next one!
I think that you are a very brave young lady and your concerns about travelling alone are quite understandable .You showed us your vulnerabilities which are also understandable but that you are overcoming. Looking forward to seeing more of your travels. Best wishes from the UK.
I was thinking the same , Western Europe is generally safe (certainly safer than Russia) but you are still a lady travelling alone so be careful especially after dark . Have a great time and you are helping your mother country by showing Russians can be decent people
Natasha, the people at the Dutch airport customs weren't really all that interested in your destinations, tickets, and reservations. They were mainly studying your reactions to their questions, your attitude, your demeanor, and how you handled yourself. The very fact that you were slighty nervous and cautious but had answers to their questions that weren't prepared or overly percise showed them that you were genuine. Also your involuntary body language, eye movements etc. If you hadn't found any information about your flight to Malmö and had become confused about your itinerary, that wouldn't have been a big problem. That's not what they were looking for. They expected you to be nervous and wanted to see **how** you were nervous. They wanted to see if you were nervous about being "caught" (which you of course weren't), or if you were just nervous about the situation and afraid something might go wrong, which you were.
excellent comment
Airport workers aren't psychologists! It's not that deep. They were making sure she had firm plans and planned to return
@@jj-if6it First, customs offilcials aren't "airport workers". And no, they're not psychologists. But, customs officials who do duty at certain entry points are most definitely trained to judge people's reactions and behavior.
This isn't some advanced therapy session or a Vulcan mind-melt, it's a quick assessement of the travelers. They're looking for tell tale signs. It's much like how some security people at casinos work.
And yes, with most of the questions they ask they're not looking for detailed exact answers, they want general information but also very very definitely observe how a traveler reacts and behaves. There are also further officials watching on cameras.
Don't be naive, Schiphol is a major entry point into the EU, not a tourist agency. People with bad intentions tend to act differently than travelers like Natasha, and the customs officials are trained to at least try and spot them.
@@jj-if6itAirport worker? To be an immigration officer you need around a batchelor degree education and then do years of training. They are smarter than you think and clearly smarter than you.
@@loislane5092 your pompous drivel is a masterclass in ideological self-delusion, dressing up airport customs as some clandestine psychological operation. The reality is far less glamorous-these are underpaid, minimally trained workers following a checklist, not masterminds of human behavior analysis. Your attempt to elevate them to the status of professional interrogators is a laughable distortion of reality.
@jj-if6it’s straightforward take cuts through your intellectual arrogance with the clarity of truth: they’re checking for plans, not probing the depths of anyone’s psyche. You should be ashamed of your condescension and ideological pretensions, which are as empty as they are misleading.
I'm so excited for you Natasha! It has been so long since I've been in Europe. But I loved my time there. I hope you find it as nice as I did. I'm glad your fears have subsided. Europe is as safe, and in many ways more safe, as America. Enjoy your time. You are a remarkable girl and I love watching your videos. Thank you for them.
You are welcome in EU! Enjoy your travels and best wishes. Keep up the honest videos.
15:15 it looks like you have an EN57 train set in the background in the "Koleje Mazowieckie" livery so this is probably Warsaw. Welcome to Poland, Natasha!
Probably the closest Natasha will get to feeling at home of all EU countries.
Warszawa, Kasprzaka -> "Hongkong" building
You should be pretty welcome in Poland as long as you do not defend the Kremlin politics.
@@brexitgreens Closer will be in Bulgaria, because of Cyrillic alphabet. Do you really think that Poland is so "close" with Russia? In what sense?
@@brexitgreens sure, everything east of Berlin is ruzzia 🤡
Natasha I am glad to know that you are visiting Western Europe. I send you all friendship and support. I am very touched by this video. You are performing a service to the world by recounting your experiences in this very troubled time,.
you support a RuZZian to be here....
S😢😊
Going into a new situation is a standard for stress. Also, you are not on solid ground due to your Russian status and you were introspective enough to know this. This is great.
I can symapthize with you in this video so much. Traveled a lot in EU as a solo girl traveler from E. Europe. Passing the border was always 50/50 chance of being asked a lot of weird questions about logistics. It is anxiety inducing. Feeling anxious to go out alone, especialy at night in some EU cities is also 100% resonable. Dont feel bad about acknowledging that when its how it is. You are a smart girl. Stay safe and enjoy your trip
Each of the four times I visited the US I got the weird questions treatment. Apart from there, the only place I experienced that was on a train to Warsaw before the wall came down. DDR police came onto the train and put us through it.
It's great to see Amsterdam/EU through your eyes. I remember my first visits to the Western Europe after my country joined the EU some 20 years ago. I was equally overwhelmed. At the same time, the excitement I felt was so palpable I decided to study in Scotland and later in Amsterdam. I still remember the sense of discovery and adventure I felt but also a sense of loneliness, anxiety, and deep-rooted inferiority. I guess that's only one of the scars that authoritarian regimes leave on people for generations and it's a tragedy that Kremlin is stirring things up again. In any case, good luck in your travels and, if I may say so, welcome to Europe! It suits you. I think you'll fit right in!
Being independent is a personal freedom that few people attain. Living your life as you choose, free from others' opinions on matters that concern you, and leaving your origins behind, can be a lonely experience. Venturing beyond familiar boundaries can also bring a sense of solitude. Embracing loneliness and the unknown can be both an anxious and liberating choice.
After exploring your surroundings, identifying key locations, and becoming self-sufficient, the anxiety and lure of loneliness may subside. You might even start to appreciate and enjoy your time alone.
Natasha, you’ve chosen a better life for yourself.
I'm glad you are giving us a day by day impression of your travels, because I am really curious to know. I look forward to more.
Don't listen to the idiots telling you to go back to Russia. What's happening there is not your fault, and you have no responsibility to try to "fix" it. I'm glad you were able to get away from there. I hope you have a nice trip, and enjoy yourself.
Well please tell me who will change Russia? It wont change itself, will it? Nobody kicks her out but for f@k sake any ideas how current regime will change? They gonna resign or what? All milestones of citizen rights came from revolutions and they always come at a price.
Of course it’s the fault of the russian population. They all keep saying they don’t pay any attention to politics. Hence why you get a dictator.
This GIRLS IS A GEM - I have been watching her 4 years …. Such an intelligent observant person… 💯💫💫💫✨✨📈📈📈📈🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
No, but the more Russians outside of Russia they will spread their harmful ideologies. Just look at Georgia, hostile nations to Europe deserve to be quarantined.
Everyone has a responsibility to fix their own country, even when it's not their fault. You too, in your own country, by the way and it's a bit concerning if you were born in a democracy and still don't know that. However it doesn't mean this is only on her shoulders and under such circumstances it's totally fine to decide to do it from another country. You can contribute to the fixing from outside too.
Natasha, you are a brave young lady who conquers your fears and marches ahead despite them. I think that anxiety is normal when traveling to places that are so foreign to you. Unfortunately you have an added fear in that so many Western European countries are hostile to Russians! You are also accustoming yourself to this adventure and are beginning to enjoy this exciting trip. Good luck and keep us posted.
Natasha, you are a beautiful soul. I’m so glad you escaped Comrade Putin’s dictatorship. Just know, that despite the negative comments from some people about how you should have stayed in Russia to “fix your country” (as if you even could at this point), there are large numbers of us that are so glad you escaped to freedom!
Cheers from Colorado, USA!
One day, I hope in your travels you have the ability to visit my amazing home state, and the breathtaking beauty that is the Rocky Mountain region of North America.
As a European, I wholeheartedly second this! I'm not much of a travel guy, personally, but there's no denying that when looking at the full scope of human civilization, the amount of sights to see, people to meet, bars to get wasted in, or whatever else one may be interested in... And then realize that there are people who think some populations or ethnic groups should be specifically penalized from experiencing all that, just plain morbid if you ask me.
And yeah, the "fix your country" argument in this case is just plain detachment from reality... As you pointed out aswell, it's a dictatorship, so what do they expect her to do, vote??? Obviously when tyranny and authoritarianism reach critical mass, the options there are in adressing it are almost non-existent when compared to what, say, you and I for example, have. A ghastly reality to be sure, maybe even an ominous warning to what could very well happen even to a western democracy, without vigilance. But it's also a reminder of what we have that's worth fighting for.
Welcome, Natasha. Don't let the comments of people who know nothing about you ruin your "adventure" in Europe. Enjoy the positive things and learn from the negative ones. I wish you a wonderful trip. Good luck and… пока пока
I can understand you completely, as I know this somewhat strange questioning. The people who are to be identified with this questioning, for example in the case of illegal entry, are probably very well prepared for this procedure. It is actually the normal tourists who are completely confused by these detailed questions. Airports are Schengen's external borders, which are particularly secured. I will watch the rest of your video tomorrow, as it is already 02:38 AM.
That is an interesting observation! I have always been flummoxed when returning to my home country especially. Often border agents will quiz me and my children as to our activities on our holiday. It rattles and annoys me every time. It must be such a difficult job.
@@yelyak That's interesting. When you entered your home country, were you questioned by your own border officials about your previous travel destinations? The question is whether they were just curious or were they hoping that you would let slip something compromising.
@@yelyakThat is interesting indeed. Not every country is the same on this. From my own experience, I have observed generally that the EU and UK don't question their own citizens at all, and usually you just enter using an automatic passport gate. The US, on the other hand, questions everybody, including their own citizens (unless you pay to be vetted in advance for fast entry).
@@adhillA97The U.S. have a strange belief that everyone is desperate to live there. Even if you have a beautiful villa on the shores of Lake Como or the Côte d’Azur, or a castle on the Rhine or the west coast of Ireland, you secretly want to wash dishes in an ethnic restaurant in Pittsburg.
@@Dreyno But even if I _was_ desperate to move there (I'm not), I have the constitutional right to as a US Citizen and they _still_ question me! It seems crazy.
I'm so happy you made it Western Europe and got past your initial anxiety Natasha. Looking forward to seeing more videos about your trip.
Immer rein nach Europa mit den Kriegsverbrechern und Spionen!
Natasha, I live in Copenhagen, and if you need somebody to drink coffee please don’t hesitate to reach out 🥹 I would be glad to meet you, and share my love to this country. I go to Malmö quite often as well so we could meet there as well. Have a nice trip! Enjoy and be relaxed because is safe in Scandinavia 🎈
Don't forget to tell her that she has to pay for your coffee.
Welcome to Europe Natasha.
The stress & anxiety are only normal & I am glad to hear you were able to put them aside & enjoy your time here.
This was a well filmed vlog documenting your travel.
I am sure you know that you have a lot of support already so keep your head held high.
Life here is expensive on many levels especially since covid 19.
Any how take care, try to relax & enjoy the travel.
👍😃
You are so brave and you are doing amazing. When I was 23 I was teaching English in Japan. Twice I had to go alone to Korea to deal with visa issues. I cried. I couldn’t speak a word of Korean but could recognize the Chinese characters for the cardinal directions in the city (Seoul the first time, Pusan the second). But I took myself to sightsee and I met other solo travelers! This is how you’ll meet new people. I used to stay in hostels, not hotels. But that was 30 years ago. Have fun!
Welcome Natasha! It's amazing to see how the stress just disappeared from you after a few weeks in western Europe, you look well! I hope you had a great time in my country (The Netherlands) and that you had the chance to explore a bit more than just Amsterdam. Looking forward to seeing your adventures!
I love visiting the Netherlands! I usually only stay in Amsterdam the night before I leave. Utrecht is awesome. Love The Hague too! 🤗💕
I’m so glad your anxiety went away! Western Europe is great. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to your future videos. As for your Pasadena shirt, I love it! I lived in Pasadena for many years. I’ve since moved to Seattle, but when I see your shirt it reminds me of home! I hope you keep wearing it. 😊
Your internal thoughts are what makes this channel so great. Enjoy your travels, you are human same as another other Russian or westerner and will be loved for who you are not where you are from.
No need to be stressed out Nat, just enjoy Europe, it's the safest region on earth.
Having grown up during the end of Cold War and the hope of opening up former Soviet republics then compared to return of hostility today, your travel videos and commentary are a reminder of the spirit of openness
This is quite close to what I have been thinking about Natasha's videos. I've been following them for a few years.
Hey Natasha, don’t worry so much about filming your travels for us. We really appreciate it, but you need to enjoy your self and your travels! It’s all going to be alright, filming in front of strangers in new countries takes a lot of confidence!
Super interesting, thanks for sharing your thoughts and being so honest about your feelings and fears in the beginning. I am always anxious in my first days of my trip 😅.
Have a good time! ❤ Greetings from northern Germany 😃
A small donation to finance tasty pasta. Best wishes from Vienna! 🍝
Thank you for sharing the experience with us! You managed the anxiety very well. "I will enjoy overcoming all my fears" very powerful words. At that point I was sure it was going to get better from there.
SO GLAD YOU GOT THE VISA!
Enjoy some warm soup while you are traveling!
Dude! you are the man!
100 $ and not even a like from Natasha after two weeks 🤔
Thank you so much for being so truthful and sharing your experiences and your anxieties because so many people have them but never discuss them. You definitely will have a wonderful life. I know that.💙💐
Well done, Natasha for dispelling your fears abroad in Western Europe and look forward to more from you.👋👋👍👍
In 2015, I traveled to Russia as a tourist for the first time, and my feelings as a woman travelling alone were very similar to yours. But after I had arrived, all my fears disappeared and I had the best time of my life and visited a lot of places in Russia during the following years - until unfortunately Covid and the "Special Military Operation" put an end to this. I hope you will receive the same warm welcome in Western Europe as I received in Russia. Let us hope that the day will come when times get better and both of us will be able to have a good time in Russia again.
I think many people can empathise with the apprehension you were feeling Natasha, being alone in an unfamiliar city in a different country. You have done really well to overcome that uncertainty, and it is clear from the closing part of your video you have built more self-confidence, which is great. Still take care though because not everywhere may be as safe as it appears.
Wow - the difference between the start and the end of the video are night and day. One could see the anxiety lifted from you as you gained trust in yourself and your surroundings. I get a sense of PTSD induced by what your have been thru as Russian, and in Russia. Your comment about internet 'inside' is very telling. If you have time, look on TH-cam for a song by Billy Joel called "Leningrad" - it ends with the line "We never knew what friends we had until we came to Leningrad'. Hope you make it to the states sometime Pasadena is beautiful. Safe travels!
That was a lovely video. I had a similar experience in Puerto Rico where i was going there to work and waiting for the cruise ship I was working on to arrive. It took 2 days to arrive and I never left the hotel because of anxiety. I was 21 at the time. I'm now 62 and would no longer give it a second thought. I would be out exploring no problem. I'm so glad you are now enjoying your European break. Best of luck in your travels, I always enjoy your videos.
I feel everywhere in the Anthroposphere equally at home. Maybe with the exception of the Pleistocene. That felt a bit alien. I couldn't find a shared mental plane with _Homo heidelbergensis._
I am so happy that you are in Western Europe! Don’t worry about the trouble you had at border control. I get similar grilling and scrutiny when I travel alone. I think it is standard procedure for border security to be very suspicious of anyone traveling alone. Also, when you have a passport that shows little or no previous travel in Europe, that also raises suspicion. But now that you are there in the EU you won’t have any problems. You will be just another foreign visitor like all the thousands of others. About the expense, don’t worry, prices are always crazy high in big popular cities like Amsterdam. Prices are much much less in small, less popular cities and small towns.
Exactly right. Had a terrible time trying to enter the US soon after 9/11. The customs officer was grilling me but then my Filipino mother-in-law came and stood beside me. The officer immediately waved us through.
Natasha, I've been watching your videos for several years now. As an older man, and a veteran traveler, I would like to say that I am very proud of you. You are stepping out of your "Comfort Zone" in a very big way, and as a result, you are steeping into your "Learning Zone." I am not sure if you are still in Amsterdam, but if you are, I would offer you these suggestions for visiting: the Anne Frank House, Vondel Park, the RijksMuseum, and for less expensive food, try some of the cheaper restaurants in the Chinese District. You are probably going to smell a lot of marijuana-which is quite usual in Amsterdam and, yes, she amazing amounts of diversity. Amsterdam has historically been an "open," "democratic" and global city for many centuries given its proximity to the sea and its traditions of sailing and commerce. Also know that during WWII, even there, when it was German occupied 11 of every 14 Jews were killed, sadly. But on the opposite side of that hatred, was the kindness and hopefulness of young Anne Frank. You embody those values of hope and kindness. Been Camino = Spanish for Safe Travels.
I really admire you. You need a lot of courage and strength to do what you do. It's normal to loose some confidence when you're out of your comfort zone. I hope you feel better and you get to enjoy Europe as much as possible.
Welcome to the Netherlands Natasha, I hope you had a nice time here during your stay! Greetings from the Hague.
Madurodam, best place on earth!!!! :)
Putin's future retirement home The Hague.
@@budawang77😂😂😂
@@andreanagy4801 oh yes please we have a great cell for him here holeder is looking for a bed buddy😂😂😂😂
@@aukebij3193 Hope he will enjoy it.😄😄
13:51 wooow that's Warsaw Poland!!! You can see on the top left corner the writing 'na sprzedaż' which means 'for sale'. I am so glad you visited Poland. Sorry for spamming with comments, I am commenting while watching the video 😊
wishing you the best of luck !! the netherlands is amazing, full of the kindest people & beautiful culture.. but this has been my experience in most of western europe ! i am sure your brave trip will lead to only the best unexpected & wonderful opportunities
Hi Natasha, good to see you are having fun.
Let me say up frnt Natasha you are to be admired. You had the presents of mind to escape Russia while the getting was good and you are a very brave young lady. You the set up a new life in a new country Georgia and now you are brave enough to travel allover Western Europe! You are a hero and don't listen to anyone who attacks you just, because your Russian it doesn't matter your ethnic background it matters your character and your values which as far as I can see from your videos are all in the right place.
Their is nothing to be ashamed of for being nervous in a new country and a new situation until you get used to it and then everything settles down to more or less normal again! Have a great time in Europe it is a great place to visit and travel in! I can hardly wait for your next video.
That pasta is 3 times more expensive than it should be in Western Europe, too.
Really? The wages are the same, though :(.
Well.. maybe twice. It did look quite nice
@@londonwestman1 Pasta in restaurants always looks nice, but sure, it's in the center of the capital, and there has been inflation... let's say it's twice
Price looks great, especially for us ordinary €300/hr salarymen. Greetings from the top of the world, the Nordic realm.
@@UserDefaultEurope As an aspiring CEO, I'll consider learning me some Norwegian. For that price, I think they'll pay me to eat it 😉.
As a dual US/EU citizen it's always eye opening hearing these types of stories and how easy it is for us to travel to most places. Usually the only question that is asked (if any) is how long we're going to stay, but nobody ever asks to see any tickets, hotel reservations or anything, or what places we might visit.
I am from an EØS country, not EU, lucky enough .
Travelled many places in the world.
USA demand the hotel for the first night.
Also pay and enter a web site to get acknowledgment to visit.
Take a copy of all your fingers, mine is shaded by age so a long story to achieve 😬😂
Europe you can pass by enter your passport on a machine with no hassle at all.
@@per995 Before I became a US citizen I was only a EU citizen, and was never asked to provide information about a hotel stay or anything like that. The travel authorization nonsense (similar to Australia) didn't exist back then.
Hah! This reminds me of the intense grilling I got once crossing from the US (my country) into Canada because I had an extra carton of cigarettes with me which I didn’t know weren’t allowed (i quit smoking 40 years ago now).
@@tomb5372
In earlier days we had to visit the US embassy in Norway to get a stamp in your passport.
I will believe that that was the only options at the time some 20:years ago if you came from Europe generally.
Had a B1 for some years, but a customs guy took the memory from me on a outdated passport I showed him😡
Easier to enter from Mexico or Canada.
@@BTinSF
Time change😬As a Norwegian you can bring back just 5x20 cigarettes if you return home from abroad as duty free😂
Try visiting Australia with cigarettes😂
It was so nice to see the change in your demeanor from the beginning of the video to the end! I can't wait to see the rest of your trip!
I think you are very brave Natasha and i love that you visit my country the Netherlands and i hope you still had amazing time here
You were dealt a tough circumstance. But you have worked hard to make good out of it. You should be proud of what you have accomplished.
Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Congratulations 🎊 on your visa. Enjoy your stay. You will do fine. You've just been through alot. I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Welcome to the EU. I am. Glad you got to come over. Enjoy your discoveries and exploration. I am excited to read your impressions of Europe. Have a great time. You have now started your first trip here, and it is the first of many. Your videos of the Russia and Georgia are amazing and instructive. Great job
I'm so excited you were able to get a tourist visa for the Schengen area!
Hello, I'm from the Netherlands and I watch your videos for a long time now. Good luck and all the best in our Europe. You are a great person