Tatiana Belianicheva (24), originally from Vladivostok (east part of Russia), left her home country to look for love in South Africa, taking a chance in a unique television show, Ram vir ‘n Rus.
из России с любовью
(From Russia with love)
“I entered Ram vir ‘n Rus to see South Africa and hopefully meet my future love. I like challenges and adventures. I think it is a very unusual experience for any person to take part in a television show like this.”
Tatiana says she loves Cape Town and thinks that this city is incomparable with nature. “I tried surfing here for the first time. The ocean is insanely cold!” Having tried our traditional dishes and snacks, biltong was her favorite by far. The fresh meat and vegetables are a newbie for her as well, because in Russia they import fruits and vegetables.
“The sad thing is that the only negative thing about South Africa is the problems the people face here. The electricity, the expensive internet and the discrimination. Before coming to South Africa, I was unaware of these problems here.”
Tatiana is driven by opportunity to learn new things, most of all languages. “I studied in China for an MBA (Master of Business Administration), then I lived in Japan. So, I think it is safe to say that I am a Russian with an Asian soul.”
Her first love is art. “Could you even imagine life without art? I paint when the inspiration hits me, and dance fills me up, especially when I hear the salsa. I always take photos and videos when I go on adventures. I am definitely a creative person. I live in the present and I am in constant awe of the world around me.”
She shares that her emotional life is like a rollercoaster, full of dips, drops, hills and loops. “I laugh and enjoy life with good people. I cry when I see homeless people on the streets. I want every person on earth to be happy and have a home to call their own.”
She believes in love at first sight, but has her own opinion about what love really is. “To love someone is to know someone. People often confuse love with lust. Certainly there can be bodily attraction at first sight, but true love requires knowledge.”
This Russian beauty is working as a freelance in social media marketing and loves every minute of it. “I want to find projects that I could perform locally here and I am working online with Russia, but it is not always so easy.”
She sees South African men as conservative and the relationships between men and women as equal, whereas in Russia the relationships are different.
“I didn’t know anything about South Africa before I came here. Now I see the great sunny weather, no hurricanes or tsunamis ever. Beautiful natural heritage sites and loads of friendly people. But I miss my family, friends and Asian food because I was born in the Asian part of Russia.”
It seemed to the viewers of Ram soek ‘n Rus that Tatiana felt very locked in when they were at one of the male South African contestants, Heinrich Olwage’s house in Johannesburg. FiND iT wanted to know how she felt about Johannesburg versus Cape Town.
“Cape Town is a free city compared to Pretoria or Johannesburg. For me, Pretoria is a family town, Johannesburg is a business town or if you are seeking a job, but Cape Town is a city for a vacation. I think everyone should see Cape Town with its gorgeous beaches, majestic mountain views, friendly people and a spectacular natural setting.”
Watch how Tatiana’s journey and love life unfolds in the television series on VIA TV.
