Unexpected Connections: How Two Russian Women’s African Romance Turned Into a Cautionary Tale
Discover the intriguing journey of a mother and daughter from Russia whose dream African getaway led to unexpected relationships and financial lessons on the island of Zanzibar.
Alla and Yulia, a mother and daughter duo, dreamed of introducing their African partners to the breathtaking Lake Baikal. Yet, their new acquaintances were far more interested in the money from the sale of the women's two-bedroom apartment in Irkutsk than exploring Russia itself.
In 2020, as the global pandemic unfolded, 43-year-old Alla Kolegov and her 21-year-old daughter Yulia Becker were living in Irkutsk, working at a local restaurant—Alla as a cook and Yulia as an administrator. Their earnings were modest, and the restaurant eventually closed indefinitely amid the crisis. With limited funds, they decided to change their lives, fueled by their shared passion for travel. They sold their two-bedroom apartment and flew to the exotic island of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
To celebrate their arrival, mother and daughter visited a café where they met an African man named Vova. He was charming and spoke some Russian, introducing himself as the head of a small travel agency. Vova was courteous, guiding them through local customs, helping purchase SIM cards, and showing them key attractions. It was clear he was fond of Yulia, who was equally taken with the "African prince."
"We were worried about the language barrier since neither my mother nor I spoke much English, and locals rarely knew Russian. Then Vova appeared!" recalled Yulia.
The very next day, their story took a new turn. Vova introduced them to his friend Nikita, who was interested in meeting Alla. Suddenly, the mother and daughter from Irkutsk found themselves with African boyfriends. Overjoyed, they felt these gentlemen were unlike anyone they had met back home. Their time together was filled with dolphin swims, excursions, and romantic walks around Zanzibar, with plans to stay together forever. However, reality soon intervened as their visas expired, forcing them to return to chilly Russia.
Parting at the airport was emotional, but their communication continued daily, with plans for reunions. Months later, mother and daughter returned to Zanzibar, bringing gifts like sunflower seeds, sour cream, and condensed milk. Vova and Nikita expressed their affection for Russia and dreams of visiting Irkutsk someday.
True to their word, the women invited their partners to Russia and helped with paperwork. Meanwhile, Alla and Yulia sought ways to earn money locally, starting a blog that quickly gained followers thanks to their unique story. Though their income was modest, Vova and Nikita benefited as their travel agency gained more Russian clients. However, the men were slow to reciprocate financially, with Alla receiving only a simple bracelet for her birthday.
"We spent time like any couple: watching movies, strolling, cooking together. Beach sunsets, seafood barbecues, guitar songs—romantic moments! For International Women's Day, instead of flowers, they gifted us an unforgettable safari tour among lions, elephants, and giraffes," shared Yulia.
As their stay again neared its end, they prepared to return to Irkutsk. Vova and Nikita's paperwork delays postponed their trip. Back in Russia, Alla and Yulia promised to show their partners Lake Baikal soon. However, their social media began revealing frustration and disappointment: the men were not interested in family life but had quietly been extracting money from them.
It emerged that Vova and Nikita were actually Salim and Juma, members of the Maasai tribe. Alla and Yulia warned fellow travelers not to lose their heads over charming smiles, sharing that the Maasai harbor resentment toward white people due to colonial history. They even identified other victims of these deceptive men.
This saga spanned a year and a half, during which the Russian women parted with a significant sum, though the exact uses of the funds remain unknown.
2021 proved challenging for both. The proceeds from their apartment sale were invested in a financial pyramid scheme that collapsed. Alla returned to her hometown, while Yulia moved to Egypt to work as a photographer. She married a local, brought her mother to live with her, and became her provider.
Eventually, Alla missed Russia and returned, and Yulia contemplated relocating too. However, her Egyptian husband's reluctance to move led to their divorce. Despite hardships and deception, mother and daughter remain optimistic, now enjoying life and traveling extensively within Russia.
Photo credits: social media
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