Pit Stop in Moscow!

  

When I booked tickets, the best way was flight into Moscow and a separate flight into Irkutsk and Vladivostok. Which meant I got to spend a night in Moscow on the way home! I met up with the SRAS Josh Wilson who is based in Moscow. We did a bit of a walking tour/cafe stop in the center. Then I had dinner while he went back to his family. 

Even Lenin had a tree!

The hotel room was weird- it was an entirely internal room: no windows. I mean the bed was comfy and it was pretty sound proof with the airport nearby, so I'm not complaining. It was a long journey back to the US. When I landed in NY, and went through customs, I realized I didn't leave the orange I brought on the plane- so I declared it, so they could appropraitely trash it. Now I realize I could of been a bit tired, but when I got the customs person who deals with agriculture he asked if he could "see" the orange. I thought that was weird, but 7 months of translating things in my head, I just held up the orange. Note that this is after I had alrready offered to give it to him and apologized. He gave me a stare and asked if he could hold it. So I gave it to him. He looked at it, calmly placed it next to him and said he had to keep it (Commentary in my head- duh.) and said I was free to go. 

It was nice to be home in Lexington and get to see and hug Bobby in person!

VSUES Campus

 Here are some miscellaneous pictures of the campus:

From across the street.

yes, that is a plane

Looking up at my dorm room. 

View from my dorm room to campus- normal day

View from my room during blizzard

My side of the room- I had to stand on the chair and the desk to get up in bed. I'm honestly surprised I never fell. 

Roomie's side

Shared fridge and storage space

Arseniev Museum of Primosrskii Krai

Another place I had been really wanting to go to go is the regional museum, or rather Arseniev Museum of Primorskiy Region. It was founded in 1884 to study the region and holds a prominent  place in the city center in a gorgeous building. It traces the regions history from "ancient" history until the modern era. I wish we had some more time to explore, but we had a great guide take us through the place.


As some of you may know, my lung partially collapsed last year. It had been acting up the past couple of days and in consultation with my doctor we determined the cause to be....bitterly cold temperatures.


No seriously. The doctor said that they have heard of people who are recovering from the collapsed lung who have problems with the cold. It is just too cold to be comfortable. So with one of those hand warmers that you get for winter that self warms tucked next to my lung, I set off with the rest of the foreign students to go exploring!

The first part of the museum was olden times- complete with the Chinese (?) statues that had a hidden compartment complete with Museum Cat. This is apparently a thing in Russia. A lot of museums have cats, and I finally decided to ask "WHY?!?!!"

Well there is a superstition that it is lucky if you buy a new home/remodel that there should be a cat in their first. There were actual ads for Realtors that would "put a cat in there before you go in." And something I didn't quite understand about there being a cat in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

Of course I had to hold the cat!

Then we moved into the Olden Days portion- you can see the beautiful hand crafted detailed clothes and rugs that they used.

There were tons of cool things that had been utilized in the region for farming or travel. They even had some Soviet era things that were pretty cool. I kinda dug the clothing exhibit- showed lots of the different time periods of clothing.

They even had a "hot water bottle."

Afterwards, a few of the Russian girls that had come along and I went to the pinnacle of Russian cuisine- Cinnabon (yes that was sarcasm.) Which was the first time that I had actually been there. It was interesting and yummy.

December in Vladivostok

Well, I will start this out with the observation that the entire month of December (Dec 1-21) was spent below zero C AKA below freezing.

That is a bus window that is totally frozen over with ice...

In other words, FREEZING COLD!

This is a underground walkway with snow piled in it.

I got to learn new words such as "метель" or blizzard. I also got to experience cancelled classes in Russia. I would recommend that they invest in the text notification system that U.S. universities have, because otherwise, there is not a lot of ways of notifying people- students and professors just have to check the school's website.Which is interesting and informative- if you know to check.


Russians also had something I hadn't seen people do before (given I hadn't lived where there was snow before)- they used dump trucks to scoop up the snow and take it somewhere else. {I looked into this and they totally do this in places like Boston where they get tons of snow. And it causes a lot of environmental problems because the salt and stuff gets melted into the rivers and poisons things.}



Also, after one of the blizzards- I decided to go exploring and take some beautiful pictures in the snow. But I underestimated to cold and the lack of waterproofing on my shoes. But- I got wonderful pictures. The snow was piled up into the the underground walkways, along all the building and there was almost no one out there. Except a few hardy souls who were trying to hook their Siberian Husky dogs up to mush them. The dogs were the only happy things I saw out at all. No one else was happy, but these dogs were literally jumping in circles and happy barking. it made me smile.

Also in December- I went to a local art gallery. It was off the beaten path, but I had passed it when I was going to tutor the little girls. All the art was done by local artists- they even had an exhibit of student art.

the balloons had Russian poems on them,.

One day before I left, I went out to eat at the restaurant that the family I was tutoring owned. It was Korean food (well a mixture of Korean and Russian), but the older girl recommended some things to me and it was yummy!

I also went and explored the frozen salt water. Yup, it gets so cold that the salt water freezes over. Very cool and very cold looking. There were young Russians out playing in the snow and a guy out ice fishing.

Proof! Also, note how high the snow is on my jeans- I had to step through all that!

One other interesting thing-the sanctions were causing some problems while inciting nationalism in the people. It is an interesting time to be in Russia. All the people were nice and friendly. Most were amazed to meet an American. The few times I was able to discuss politics and they didn't necessarily like the government but they were super interested to meet an American. One of my regrets was that I didn't carry my camera around to start a photo-essay of "The American Flag in Russia." Everywhere I turned there were younger Russians wearing the American flag on a swim suit, t-shirt, jacket, vest, shoes, bags, etc. I would have loved to capture these with an explanation of why it was so prominent.  On the other hand there was this:

Basically translated as "Our prices remain the same."IT is in reference to the fact that as the Rouble was falling, everything was getting more expensive because it cost more to import, but at these stores- they didn't let the silly dollar matter! And it was posted all along stores in the central mall.


Christmas Time
Although Christmas isn't really celebrated in Russia- News Years is-Elena hosted a Christmas dinner for Adela & me. We had this delicious spread:

And the cool "firecrakers" that pop out streamers.

I really enjoy my time with these two ladies and will miss them when I leave. 

Coca Cola Tour!

While looking for things to do here, I figured out that there was a Coca-Cola factory here! Totally cool. However, they only take group tours, so I asked Svetlana if we could go, and she made it work! She arranged a tour and offered to let the other American and Australian I had met go with us (high school students on an exchange program with the Rotary club).




We took a long (30-40 min) bus ride out to the factory and then got a tour. We had to wear hair nets and those little booties that go over your shoes. But we saw the whole process from the beginning to end. The bottles started from this little test tube like plastic things that was blown up to the 2L bottles. Then the bottling area (it looks like a normal bottling area).

We got to taste a sample of whatever we wanted to. I chose Fanta Mandarin (which is NOT Fanta Orange). It was sweeter and smoother than the Orange. But, like all of Fanta's flavors- not distributed world-wide. It also was a New Years special for that area of  the world.

But this meant I had toured corporate Coca-Cola, a factory in Russia, and Coca-Cola World in Atlanta. Totally cool!

Orientation to the RFE!

We started with a quick orientation(just vocal) of the dorm, we can supposedly exchange our sheets every week. And there is either a place to do our laundry ourselves or to have it done on the bottom floor for 50 RUB (under $2), this was lost in translation.

Then she showed us around the maze of this school. We filled out paperwork and listened to an orientation of the school. It is called “Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service” and is a weird mixture between a “normal” college with only the political science department and a trade school. You can study banking, car mechanics, hairstyling, international relations, economics, etc…They even have their own bank, tourist office, car shop and “learn to drive” place.

We had about an 1 hour break, where we were able to go to a café and get some wifi!!! Then back to take a test of Russian language. I finished a bit early and went to get some food for later.

We took a “bus” tour of the city, by which I mean the bus dropped us off downtown, we walked around, then took a city bus back. We also got to take the Funicular. Which is, according to Lonely Planet, “a fun 60 second ride.” Seemed silly, but kinda fun.

We saw the center of town, including a walking street. Saw the triumphal arch, a few monuments, the underside of the Golden Horn Bridge, and 10 weddings. No joke. Taking pictures outside around your city is a Thing in Russia, and the weather was beautiful today.

We then took a city bus back to stop outside of a supermarket (the same one from last night), and I bought staples mostly, but a few veggies. Apparently the farmers market is downtown near the train station and a pain to get to.

The kitchens are super nice here, lots of burners and sinks. But no communal plates or sliver wear. (which if I had read the guide to Vlad, I would’ve known, but thought it would be like Irkutsk. Or at least easier to find silver wear…currently using plastic from the airport).

Our room is kind of like a suite:

Also, the trash is taken out by a cleaning lady, but I am not sure how often.

See you around the globe!

One Month In

Usually I start these “blank months in/left” with a OMG I can’t believe that it has been this long, but not this time. This time I know it has been a month, and it has felt like it has been a month.

My professor says she sees me making progress, but I don’t feel like I am making progress. I need to spend more time doing homework and applying myself, but this whole roommate thing plus the whole “the other kids don’t find the need to study so they come bug me all the time” really detracts from my ability to study.

I miss home too.

The city I super interesting and I can’t wait to keep exploring it! The people are WAY more friendly than in Moscow or St. Pete. They smile on the street, they ask politely rather than yelling at you for different change.

The food however, is not as great as in other European countries I have been in. They have to hothouse or ship in most fresh veggies and the taste is affected (much like it is in the states!). You have wide access to rice and pasta (and pirogues style things), bread, and ice cream. Everything else is a little iffy. If you cook for yourself, it is as easy as it is in the states to eat healthy, but without the wide variety of  veggies to supplement.

Another thing I have to keep reminding myself is that while I am in Russia, I am also in Asia. I’m not in Europe, so my expectations are moot. However, I do get to check off another continent off of my bucket list! (If you are counting, this leaves Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.)

Did I mention that I have a tan in SIBERIA? I haven’t had a tan since before 2011…what is this?

See you around the globe!

First Day in Irkutsk

When we got to Irkutsk, the coordinator met us at the airport to take us to the dorms. I live on the 5th floor with a Korean roommate who is attending university here. She is fluent in Russian and only speaks some English. This is baptism by fire! We've already broken out the dictionary a few times because I just didn't know the words. (Although I should probably memorize the answer to 'why are you a vegetarian?!?!)

Some of the people I went walking with. Here we were walking along the lake.

My self and a few others here on a program from the US (the we at the airport) decided to,go try to find the university. We had a map, but that was it. The map did list the buses that would take us back, so we walked a bit and then hopped on a bus. Here you get on the bus and pay as you leave rather than pay as you get on. 

To get to where the map said the university was, it took about 30 minutes. We guessed the stop to get off on, but we couldn't find the actual building that the University was in. We wandered for a bit and decided that there should be food near the river, right? Nope. Just FYI food is the other way...

A church near the school

We did eventually find a restaurant near a shopping mall, where i had no idea what I was ordering, but it was a cucumber, radish mayonnaise salad plus mystery soup with pickles. Not the worst thing I have ever had, but I won't be going back. 

We then attempted to find our way back. I mean, the bus that got us here works, no? Apparently, not in Russia. It is a one way circle thing. We ended up going to the airport, and switching to the same bus number but a different bus and finally found our stop. It was interesting to get to see part of the city?

When I got back, my roommate was gone, but she forgot to leave the key, so I was locked out for a few minutes until a floor mate who is fluent went down and convinced the babushka to give me her key so I can get into the room.

a different church, this one is on the river, and they maintain a little garden

After a nap, I went to get some dinner supplies. Spaghetti and what I thought was tomato sauce. Which it was, but only tomatoes no spices. Which was fine but I think I will be trying to buy some spices. I also bought milk, cereal, juice, and yogurt.

When I got back, the floor was starting the welcome party they had planned for us. It was fun hanging out with people who mostly only spoke Russian. I understand a lot, but a few questions didn't make since, since I couldn't hear the words in the noise. 

I ended up crashing about 11pm. I was able to take a hot shower, which was nice, even though it is a handheld shower spirit instead of being able to be placed above your head. (Normal throughout the rest of the world.) 

Some first thoughts...

The city is currently backwards in my mind, for some reason the map in my head is different than the legitimate map.

The buildings are different from St. Petersburg. They aren't as European, not that this is a surprise, they are beautiful buildings, and very intricate. Mostly wooden on the outskirts, but concrete in the center area. 

There are few restaurants in one part of what is considered the center of town. Trust me, we walked it.

See you around the globe!

Arrival in Russia

I began my journey to Irkutsk at 5 am on Thursday, with two layovers in the us and a 12 hour one in Moscow with an arrival time of Saturday.

Everything was smooth, even though we had a delay in JFK for some sort of plane check. (I mean the jokes write themselves...the 'random' plane check that delayed the flight to Moscow is as random as the guy with a turban getting flagged for extra security checks...)

Delta's Economy Comfort was defiantly worth it...for the close to 10 hour flight it was $120.  For that you get to board first, after business of course, and you get extra leg room. I also choose an exit row, which meant that I could stretch out my legs and barely touch my backpack under the seat in front of me!!! Now, legit considering purchasing it for the way back too....but that way at least I have a window and not an aisle. Delta is not as stingy as Virgin with the food, but you only get one big meal, then a sand which, and a granola bar. 

Getting through customs was easy. However, they had a 'for Russian citizens' line and a 'for diplomats' line. It felt silly to go in the diplomats line, but the other didn't make any sense either. Eventually the nice agent people just said go wherever, it doesn't matter. They were looking at the passport and visa for a long time, but it appears they are doing that to ALL Americans. 

Luggage pick up was easy as well. However, figuring out where to go for a connecting flight? Or the capsule hotel I had heard about? Guessing is as good as the signs. I did eventually find the ticket counter and sat down to wait, but I was exhausted. I was trying to figure out how weird it would be in Russia to just sleep on the floor, when I heard an announcement for the 'Baikail Lounge' where for 2,000 RUB you can sleep for three hours, shower, get free coffee and tea,  and I was sold. I was starting to get that dizzy you haven't slept enough yet feeling. 

After the nap, I felt like a human again. Then the shower really helped!

I am currently awaiting my next flight. It's almost 7 local time and my flight leaves around 10:15pm. It's another red eye....we get into Irkutsk about 9 am local time (it's a 13 hour time diff to EDT, so about 8pm EDT). There will be two others in my program on the flight, but I don't know them, so we will see each other there! 

See you around the globe!!

A New Adventure!

Hello all!

I just received news that I will be going on a National Security Education Program David L. Boren Fellowship to Russia for seven months! I'm going to Siberia!

Wait, what? Yes, you read that right, I am willingly going to Siberia, Russia. Well, Siberia isn't actually a city, so I will be in Irkutsk over the summer and Vladivostok over the fall. Don't know where those are? Here, a conveniently placed map!

 Still not quite sure, where that is?

There, that should help!

Of course, I will be blogging as well!

See you around the globe!