The Beach

 Guess where we went today? Yup, the beach! We took two buses, which took about an hour, stayed there for about 40 minutes, then came back. Seemed silly for such a short amount of time there.

To get to this specific beach, you take the number 59 (possibly also 60) in front of the “grey house” or (a few stops later) the train station. You get off at the end of the line, and follow the road until it ends. It is a bit of a hike, maybe a mile or mile and a half?

But you end up at a cooll little rock beack/outlet thingy with a light house! It is directly across from Russkii Island. It was pretty, a tad uncomfy to sit on due to the rocks, but still pretty.

We stayed there for about 30 min, and then went to get food at the little cafes. (and saw another wedding of course!)

Cant you just hear the pitiful little meows?

There was an adorable little 10 week old kitten or so that was there. I wanted to take it home.

Afterwards, we took the bus back to the train station, where we then walked back to the center. We were looking to buy some USB internet that is faster than the dorms and better. After walking by a protest against the killing of stray dogs, we entered a mall. (I think it might have even been their GUM.)

They have a Cinnabun…this will be in my future. They also have the Chocolate Café that I liked in Petersburg.

We ended up not buying internet, because our guide told us to wait until Monday to get the one at the university and see how fast it was. The USB drive cost 2,000RUB ($55) and the price is 400 RUB per month (or even higher, they had it up to 1,400/month) ($11.11).

Then we went to buy silver wear! I can cook with real cooking utinsils and cut things! WOOHOO!!!

Now to go use them…

See you around the globe!

Welcome to the Far East!

I took the metro back to the airport, with the only difference being the random train change. At some stop, the train suddenly announced “The train will terminate at this station. If you want to go to Icheon Airport, please board the next train.”

Checking in was relatively painless, minus the whole you have to go to specific counters for specific flights, you can’t just check in at the main Areoflot counter.

I am consistently surprised by how easy it is to traverse security in other countries. Ridiculously easy compared to ‘Merica. I was even able to get some Duty Free shopping done (needed real face cleanser, the stuff I had in Irkutsk just doesn’t cut it).

First thing I noticed in Vlad? (The airport is nicer than most.—ok, besides that!) It is the most American approach to a city ever, when you are driving in, if you didn’t know better the (new) highway looks like any in the US. Also, the city is seemingly lacking communist block apartment buildings (I saw seemingly, because I know they must be here, but this city looks like St. Pete. Classic European buildings.

However, the “campus” is a nightmare. It is literally one building. Like Hogwarts crazy. There is even a moving staircase (AKA escalator). Technically I think there are 8 or 9 buildings, but they are all connected by covered walkways. So you don’t have to leave the building in winter. Good luck finding your dorm! I know of 2 entrances to the dorms (which close at 11pm), but both were closing around 10:20p the first night….The dorm is entered from the 4^th floor of building 6, next to the hotel (which has an elevator that apparently we can’t use?) (yes hotel connected to the “one building campus”).

I can get to the international office, the dorm (kinda), and a café with wifi. I might be able to find my class on Monday. We will see. Will be leaving at 8am for an 8:30 class, just to make sure…

We got our stuff lugged into our rooms. I mean lugged. It was up 3 flights, down one, up two. (Yes, those are correct directions, remember ALL ONE BUILDING!) Got our bedding and were able to see our rooms. They are tiny. Like I think my single room at the HC may have been bigger and here I get a roomie. Second thing I noticed? BUNK BEDS.

With no easy access….

As in, move your desk so you can stand on it to get in, cuz unlike US bunkbeds, the side is NOT a ladder….I had to wait to wake up some the next morning before I felt I could successfully navigate the “getting out of bed” thing.

The lady (Svetla) who met us at the airport took us to a nearby café where we were able to buy dinner (fettuccini and mushrooms), then took us to “the highest” point in the city. Where there is a status to St. Cyril and Methodius (inventors of the alphabet).  We got to see the last of the pretty sunset (the sun had already “set” but the colors were still there).

Then we were able to have a nice student that had accompanied us to show us where to go buy water and food (cuz you can’t drink the water here and we had an early start the next day).

Then collapsing in the feather bag, I mean mattress.

Oh did I mention that I was lucky enough to get to experience BOTH Vlad and Irkutsk hot water shut offs? No? Well, I have about 3-4 days of no hot water here…and there aren’t any buckets….

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!