Dear Wendy
by llya Magid

December 15, 1930-1980

Dear Wendy

I will discuss your visit to me in the Soviet Union. I live in Leningrad. Leningrad has 5.5 million people. It is a beautiful city. It was the capital of Russia during the time of the czar. In the city you would have recognized buildings with magnificent architecture, such as Winter Palace (Hermitage), the Russia Museum, Isaac's Cathedral, the czar's suburban palaces: Peter Palace, Gatchina, Petergof. You would have seen those and many other things. You would have gone with me into buildings and seen a lot of interesting things.

Pardon me, but it is impossible for foreigners to come directly to me as a guest. You can come only through the government tourist office. You will be directed to a hotel which is only for foreigners and where Soviet people cannot go. All foreigners have to travel in a group. You will have a special guide who has been checked out by the KGB. You can go with your group into the museum, but only according to the government plan. You will be under the control of the KGB. If you go to speak to a Soviet person, he or she will have trouble. Do not call me on the telephone from the hotel. It is tapped. I can have trouble. I am writing this letter to you, but I don't believe that you will receive it. All foreign letters go through censorship. I can have big trouble.

Fondly,
Ilya.

PS After not much thought, I decided not to send you this letter.

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