Saturday, January 29, 2011
Moscow
Today we went around in the "crazy bus," as the Russians call it, and visited some of the big Moscow sights. We hit the Kremlin, Moscow State University, the "Great Patriotic War" memorial, St. George's cathedral, etc.
We went into the business district where the streets are littered with luxury cars and where the only skyscrapers in Moscow are. Twas interesting.
We went into the business district where the streets are littered with luxury cars and where the only skyscrapers in Moscow are. Twas interesting.
Friday, January 28, 2011
A few interesting tidbits
The first thing I noticed about Moscow was the multitude of flower shops that hug every corner. Between the airport and our hostel, I must have counted 7 or 8 “Цветы” shops, although I’m not certain of the number because I was in and out of sleep. Bright colors are necessary to break up the ubiquitous grey: grey slush on grey concrete behind a grey sky with grey skyscrapers.
There are a lot of things for an American to get used to in Russia. The Russians eat salted and dried squid with their beer and they thought it was funny that I was repulsed. When I told them that we usually eat pizza and chicken wings with our grog, they said that sounded gross. With most things I am adopting the mantra “when in Moscow, do as the Moscovites do,” but I just can’t handle that fishy flavor.
Almost every girl in Russia wears high heels, even when walking in snow and ice. This is an amazing feat because even I, with my “Omni-grip” boots, slide all around on the ice. Women’s fashion in Russia is almost masochistic. Many of the girls, on top of heels, wear short skirts so that a large section of their thigh is exposed! Keep in mind, it is about 15 degrees here before wind chill. Suffer for fashion.
For your average consumer good, the Russian price will be roughly equivalent to the American price. Groceries are about the same, beer is a little bit cheaper, hats, gloves, socks, soda, water, are at American price levels. Vodka can be bought here on the cheap: it is about 3$ for 1 Liter of Vodka! However, I am told that MacBooks cost around 3,000$ here.
It is impossible to find peanut butter here. I brought my own, but I am dreading the day that I run out.
Aside from the occasional pang of homesickness, everything is going well. I am not quite adjusted to the time change. I miss everyone at home and can’t wait to see you all again!
There are a lot of things for an American to get used to in Russia. The Russians eat salted and dried squid with their beer and they thought it was funny that I was repulsed. When I told them that we usually eat pizza and chicken wings with our grog, they said that sounded gross. With most things I am adopting the mantra “when in Moscow, do as the Moscovites do,” but I just can’t handle that fishy flavor.
Almost every girl in Russia wears high heels, even when walking in snow and ice. This is an amazing feat because even I, with my “Omni-grip” boots, slide all around on the ice. Women’s fashion in Russia is almost masochistic. Many of the girls, on top of heels, wear short skirts so that a large section of their thigh is exposed! Keep in mind, it is about 15 degrees here before wind chill. Suffer for fashion.
For your average consumer good, the Russian price will be roughly equivalent to the American price. Groceries are about the same, beer is a little bit cheaper, hats, gloves, socks, soda, water, are at American price levels. Vodka can be bought here on the cheap: it is about 3$ for 1 Liter of Vodka! However, I am told that MacBooks cost around 3,000$ here.
It is impossible to find peanut butter here. I brought my own, but I am dreading the day that I run out.
Aside from the occasional pang of homesickness, everything is going well. I am not quite adjusted to the time change. I miss everyone at home and can’t wait to see you all again!
Here I am
After nine hours sleeping in an upright position, we touched down in the frozen wilderness of Sheremetevo airport. I was surprised that the flight was so short. We flew over Newfoundland, and then the southern tip of Greenland, then over Iceland and Scandinavia! At 35,000 feet I could see the tundra/desert of backcountry Norway.
The first thing I noticed about Moscow was that there are flower shops everywhere. Between the airport and the hostel we must have passed seven of them.
In Moscow it was around noon; at home it was 4:00 am. Needless to say, we were (and still are) all exhausted.
My first hours were plagued with extreme depression and hopelessness. I am stuck in a 22 storey Soviet era dormitory, everything is in Russian, I don’t know anyone, and all there is to eat is microwaved spaghetti-beef and watery borscht. But, after a long nap and a cheery meeting with some friendly Russians, I was in high spirits.
Maxime, my roommate, is from France and speaks hardly any English and no Russian. I have resorted to using Google translator to communicate with him. In spite of the language barrier, we are getting along fine.
The first thing I noticed about Moscow was that there are flower shops everywhere. Between the airport and the hostel we must have passed seven of them.
In Moscow it was around noon; at home it was 4:00 am. Needless to say, we were (and still are) all exhausted.
My first hours were plagued with extreme depression and hopelessness. I am stuck in a 22 storey Soviet era dormitory, everything is in Russian, I don’t know anyone, and all there is to eat is microwaved spaghetti-beef and watery borscht. But, after a long nap and a cheery meeting with some friendly Russians, I was in high spirits.
Maxime, my roommate, is from France and speaks hardly any English and no Russian. I have resorted to using Google translator to communicate with him. In spite of the language barrier, we are getting along fine.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Moscow Airport Bombed!
Well, the day before my departure to Moscow, the county's largest airport has been bombed by Chechen rebels. 31 people have been reported killed. This is a terrible tragedy for Russia.
However, I am still off to Moscow tomorrow and hope to have a great time!
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/24/explosion-rocks-moscow-airport/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
However, I am still off to Moscow tomorrow and hope to have a great time!
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/24/explosion-rocks-moscow-airport/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Anticipating my departure!
Hello my loyal fans to be,
I am anticipating my departure to Russia. I'm leaving on Tuesday, January 25th. Oh boy!
I am anticipating my departure to Russia. I'm leaving on Tuesday, January 25th. Oh boy!
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