Russia… I can’t say it was love at first sight, rather, it was just fascination. Everything was new and exciting, unexpected and unpredictable. New things to see, new foods to eat, new people to know, a new language to learn. It was a journey. A crazy adventure. How could I not be excited?
But now, as time has gone by and the novelty has died off, I’ve begun to actually fall in love with this country and everything in it – even the imperfections. The things that I hate, I am also growing to love. Shady internet, undrinkable water, slightly unbreathable air, the drunk guy at 10 in the morning, shoving your way through the metro, sometimes questionable meat, the world’s worst coffee. These things seem more and more ‘normal’ each day. The things I previously would have considered inconvenient are just part of living. It’s no longer vacation, but it’s becoming my life. I’m settling in. I’m catching on to the language. I know where things are. I have a great church and I found some good friends.
With each passing day, my love for this place only grows stronger and the closer it gets to leaving, the more I want to stay. Just as things are starting to feel normal-er, I’ve got to get ready to go. I hate that so much. And then not knowing if I’ll ever be back. But I’ve fallen in love with this place, and I’m cherishing my last few weeks. Taking it all in – the sights, the smells, the tastes, the sounds, the conversation, the people. So imperfectly perfect. Oh, Russia… there’s so much that can’t be explained – even through great pictures or words. So, I steal a quote from an A&M t-shirt to describe to you Russia “From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it; but from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”
typical metro picture – people usually do 1 of 3 things in the metro – reading, standing still, or making out… sorry for the crookedness, we were in a hurry – you can get fined for taking pictures in the metro. Kori and I are currently mastering the art of discreet photo taking in the metro – and we now have pictures of every red and green line station – the goal is to get every station
out with friends
eating homemade borscht! yum!
the fake creepy guy at Peter & Paul fortress
the joys of finding a fellow Aggie in a city of 5 million…
a snowy winter day at the park
outside an Azerbaijani restaurant, AND the first day I was able to wear short sleeves! (yesterday)!!
not exactly the best picture – but in memory of the Georgian food – and dancing
me and Kori trying to get a picture with the Church of Spilled Blood behind us – not too successful
me and Jessica on our trip to Pskov at the beginning of the semester
enjoying an amazing day outside Kazansky Cathedral – THE SUN’S OUT!
Jessica showing off our tortilla… this is how them sell em here
the first day I saw color in the sky
first night on the town – snow in front of the Hermitage
that time Jessica and I cooked tacos for our Thai and Russian friends
in Pskov at the park – and Sasha, one of the kids that had a snowball fight with us
blini!! delicious!
(posted from laureninrussia.blogspot.com)
1 comments:
- Anonymous said…
- haha lauren thats so funny you found an aggie… you always “hear” stories about people meeting aggies abroad but i guess i can actually believe it really does happen! miss you!!! ps is blini like Russian crepes?
-amanda m
- May 5, 2009 10:03 PM
Lauren Around the Globe 