There have been a few exciting occurences over the past couple of days. On sunday a few of us went to the market (reenok) with our 'Russian contact', Misha, who is totally awesome. He took us to the sketchy market in the middle of St. Petersburg where pick-pocketing is rife (my friend actually felt someone reach into her back pocket) and all goods are made in and probably shaddily imported from China. It is awesome, and I will definitely return to get some ridiculous Russian shiny black shoes. Then I will have truly assimilated.
On monday we threw Misha an American-style birthday party, with cake, ice cream and, well, vodka. That last one was more Russia-inspired. I attempted a cake from, ironically, the 'Russian cuisine for Kiwis' website that I thought sounded like the cake Misha described to me as his favorite. It turned out okay - despite using the 'crazy Soviet oven' that is always way too hot and angry'- but not anything like he apparently meant. Still, good times, and he said that he's never had a birthday like it. Brilliant.
On tuesday we relaxed, and Ashley and I watched 'Enchanted' in Russian on a sketchy disk that had the Russian dubbed OVER English, so we got a bit of both.
Yesterday, wednesday, was AWESOME though. We went to the Hermitage to do more volunteering things, and it sounds like I probably will be able to do some Archaeology work. Then I ate ice cream in the street even though it was maybe 10 C, just like a real Russian. And after getting back, I met and went to dinner at the house of my future host family.
It was awesome. The family consists of Tatiana and her son Kiril, who is 14 and a little shy but cool, although harder to understand because his voice is breaking- poor teenager. Tatiana works as a tour guide in St. Petersburg during the year, and then during the summer (or at least last summer) worked in either Turkey or Ukraine. Talk about sweet. She made lasagna and apple cake for dinner, accompanied but cups of (loose-leaf!) tea, and it was glorious. She has a beautiful, albeit not very large kitchen that has real gas burners instead of hot plates, which made me very happy, and a washing machine so I won't have to take all my laundry to school to get it done. The apartment is about a 20 minute walk from school, along a beautiful tree-lined street (the name of the street is 'faithfulness') that is going to be completely glorious in the fall. I am very much looking forward to it.
Tatiana really is lovely, and she speaks just enough English to explain to us what we don't know, but to otherwise speak in Russian. I am incredibly excited- I think my comprehension and speaking got better in just that evening, because unlike class its completely random what we talk about, and I actually have to say things. Its brilliant.
And tonight, off to the Hermitage to volunteer at Swan Lake!
Finally, quote of the week:
Me: what's the word for 'excited'?
Jane: I don't think that word exists in Russian.
(note: I'm sure it does, but its a little hard to believe when everyone walks around looking so dour or at the very least stoic. We call it 'the Russian face', e.g. in the usage 'I have my Russian face on today')
1 comment:
Ania,
What about Red October chocolate--have you had it yet? We read about it in the NY Times, but it didn't describe it (milk, dark, better than NZ we hope). Anyway, look forward to reading about it in your blog. Love, M&R
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