15.April
Today, I exposed my bare legs to the Russian air for the first time this year. Of course, first I had to shave the lovely winter coat I had grown on my legs (for protection from the cold winter elements), which proved to be quite the challenge as I hadn’t shaved since before I arrived in Russia (I’m sure you wanted to know all of the details). The point is, that the spring air felt lovely on my skin as I walked around Доброе in a dress – without tights (or leggings, or long underwear, or under armor or some combination of layers)! It was +17 C, which is in the low 60s in fahrenheit. I didn’t think such weather was possible. However, it’s supposed to get cold again this weekend, perhaps even -2. Not looking forward to that L
This evening, I made tomato soup, grilled cheese, and chocolate chip cookies for my host mom. She loved it. Not a big surprise though, most women enjoy being cooked for. Plus, she really likes chocolate chip cookies. The tomato soup wasn’t quite up to par with my standards, but not bad, it was made from fresh tomatoes.
Yesterday, Faye came over and we laid on the floor together. We pretended my ceiling was midnight blue and speckled with stars. For a moment, I could really see them. It’s been far to long since I’ve laid outside and watched the universe exist around me. Then we started talking about rock climbing in Siberia, because I asked Faye if the stars were bright in Siberia. She told me that she was way slow at rock climbing, and she remembers watching all the Russians who climbed twice as fast as her getting to the top and smoking a cigarette, she said, “Maybe I should start smoking.” Perhaps it would help.
Which reminds me, a few weeks back, I glimpsed a couple walking down the main street in Vladimir, each clutching their young daughter by one hand (she was walking between them), and a cigarette in the other (holding it away from child). I’m constantly surprised how common it is to smoke around children here. It was quite the image.
In other news, I’ve decided that Russia and Las Vegas are the same. The evidence:
1. Smoking indoors is almost universally accepted.
2. Drinking on the street is common, but technically illegal.
3. The fashion is outrageous. Everyone thinks he or she is a rock star.
4. The architecture is strikingly diverse. You’ll see a beautifully designed cathedral (or casino) with its back to a street speckled with industrial or shack-like buildings.
I’ve made a few other observations that link the two locations, but they haven’t been fully formulated into points of evidence. Check for updates in the future.
Faye and I just had a private dance party on my balcony. It was exactly what we needed. Now it’s time to study for that grammar test I have tomorrow.
Nizhny Novgorod
What happens when you put four American girls and 60 Russian soldiers in one train car?
Chelsea, Faye, Kimberly and I solved this riddle on our trip to Nizhny this past weekend.
Once settled into our hotel, we caught a bus down town. It cost 12 rubles. Random price. Some buses were only 11, and the trolley was only 9. I prefer Vladimir, where everything is 10. It’s a nice even number.
Chelsea and I walked approximately 384 stairs down to the Volga, and then… back up the hill. Then we ate at a Czech restaurant, where the “15 minute” soup took 37 minutes to arrive. After which we walked the ped walk and decided Vladimir is like living in the clearance rack of Russia. We missed our inexpensive, provincial город.
Best part of the evening… Phantom of the Opera. The prose was in Russian and the songs in English. It was like watching a more sexual version of the show, in which Kristine is really quite whorish, and the Phantom is just a creeper. I still haven’t figured out if any of the Russian audience understood what was going on, as most of the action of the play exists in the songs, which as I said were performed in English. Oh and did I forget to mention that the theatre was located in some kind of police station? Who could forget that?
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