Got stuck on the bus the other day. The public transportation is crazy. The bus literally stops for les than 10 seconds and you have to get off or on in that short amount of time. I was waiting by the door when we were about a block away from the stop. The bus halted to a stop and all of the sudden the doors were rushed with people. I ran to the other bus door behind a lady who seemed she was hurrying to get off as well. NOPE! She stopped right in front of the door I was hurrying to get off from and blocked my way out! Before I knew it the bus doors were closed and the bus was driving away. The rest of my group had successfully gotten off, but I was stuck. I channeled my Russian dictionary and yelled “STOY! STOY! STOY!” (wait, wait , wait)as I banged on the door. The bus driver yelled something back and I then said in panicked English, “OPEN the dooor!” he opened the door and I literally ran off the bus and straight to my group. It was HALARIOUS and kinda scary at the same time.
Last weekend we were able to go to a Russian folk dance show. All the performers were wearing native Russian outfits head to toe to tip of the hair with long braided pony tails. The music was played by a live Russian orchestra. I loved every number. And yes, all the men were doing the “squat and kick” dance move. It was very impressive. I really felt culturally fulfilled that night.
On the following Monday, Gulya our native coordinator came over to teach us how to make a Russian dish. We made a ravioli type of noodle called pelminni. They were pretty tasty at the moment, but one hour later we were all rolling on the floor holding our bellies. Food poisoning. For two days we were sick. There was only one day that week that all 4 of us went to the school. By Friday all of us were completely recovered and back to normal. Which was perfect because we had a vacation starting Monday!! Well, more of a STAYcation.
We enjoyed our week off very much. On Monday we went to a HUGE flea market. It was so overwhelming. There were probably over 500 shops, mostly clothes and shoes. We were on a mission to find ties, and we did. The owner of the tie shop was a PERVE! But made for a good story. We told him we were all married, but he still continued to stroke our hair and arms, and asking us if he could kiss us. You better believe we got a good deal on them ties.
On Tuesday, Gulya invited us to her house to bake some more Russian food and learn a little more history. This time we made peroshkie. It is a roll stuffed with different fillings such as meat, cabbage & onions, mashed potatoes, or jam. They turned out really delicious, and no one got sick this time.
Wednesday we had to wake up early and teach at the university. After a good lesson with the students we had the rest of the day to spare! Jenny and I went to this really cool market two stops away from our house. We found ourselves some delicious candy and I bought a pair of socks that I LOVE! We found an “AWAH” (uh-shawn), the huge grocery and department store. Now that we found one closer to us, we will probably start going there. I had a really good day with my best, Jenny!
Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving! I did exactly what I would have done if I were in the states; wake up at noon, start munching, lounge, make a last minute run to the grocery store, cook, eat, clean, more munching, and more lounging! Our dinner consisted of baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, bread, and rice. And our desert was mini apple pies and ice cream! It had been a thanksgiving like no other, and I will never forget it. I was missing my family a lot, but I was thankful to be here.
On Friday a few of us went to a popular park. It was very big and there were paths and trails leading in all different directions. There were a few churches within the park along with a beautiful wooden palace. We must have walked around the park for 3 hours! That night we made cupcakes and took them over to our neighbors who we recently met. They were very thankful and sent their 20-something year old son to our door a little while later bearing a jar of mushrooms as a thank you for our cupcakes. The son speaks a little bit of English and was very nice. His name is Ivan. He offered to take us out on a night excursion of Moscow; as in clubbing and drinking and partying. I think I’ll pass, thanks.
On Saturday, we had been invited over to an American family’s house for a turkey thanksgiving dinner. In Russia, a turkey can sometimes cost 200 dollars! This family specially ordered a full turkey dinner from the American school and had it delivered to their door. It was very delicious! It was so nice for them to have us in their home, and refreshing to be around people that spoke our language and appreciated our stupid humor. They even invited us to stay and play games and eat pie. it was a fun night!
This week has been amazing!
I am having mixed feelings about returning to the school tomorrow. But there are only 3 weeks of teaching left, and looking back I can’t believe how fast it seems to have gone by.
23 days
seriously LOLZ! sorry you got sick and also never eat the mushrooms! they can't pick em without killing themselves. for real. oh the shopkeep was all into you guys .....that really takes me back. was he a darkie or really russian???
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