#21: The Russian Visa Spiral Begins
Crossing into Russia was supposed to be a triumph, but it became the start of Karl’s most extended detour—not across land, but through paperwork. After the Bering Strait arrest, Russian officials revoked his visa, leaving him stranded and unsure how to re-enter.

Each new application became a gamble, often denied without explanation. Embassies asked impossible questions. Laws changed mid-process. Years passed. At one point, he said walking across oceans felt easier than crossing a desk in Moscow.
