Cold War Escapes That Were Absolutely Unbelievable

Few commentators would describe the Cold War as a fun experience overall, but most would agree that what fun there was to be had was in the West. The West famously had rock 'n' roll, blue jeans, and Coca-Cola; the East had grey concrete architecture, intense internal surveillance, and the ever-present threat of punishment — including torture and murder –for not being enough of a good socialist worker. (Plus, at least in the Soviet Union, instead of Coca-Cola they had soda vending machines, which dispensed the drinks directly into one or two glasses that everyone shared.)

Plenty of people locked behind the Iron Curtain wanted to take their chances in the "decadent" West, but it wasn't as easy as asking nicely. Instead, enterprising Eastern Bloc citizens hoping to change their futures impro