Ah, the good times!

I am currently sitting in the window of my room in the homestay, facing the street and Russia in all its beautiful, sunny glory. The wonderful weather has been on and off, but today is probably the most gorgeous day we’ve had, not a cloud in the sky. Stunning.

 The last couple of days have been fairly eventful, actually. Thursday we went to the ‘Museum of Erotica’ which actually is within a functioning sexual diseases/obsessions (not too sure what exactly, the signs were in Russian), and its not so much a museum as displays set up of erotic collectibles, etc. which are in the halls of the clinic. While you are viewing said collection, nurses and doctors are walking through the same halls, and a patient was sitting on a couch watching a TV. It was all very, very bizarre. The highlight of this museum is the preserved penis of Rasputin, stored in the attic of one of his devotees until quite recently. Despite his outstandingly disreputable lifestyle, apparently the organ does not show any signs of STDs, pointing  to either 1) it not in fact belonging to the ‘mad monk’ or 2) his miraculous ability to aid Alexis’ haemophilia was not his only healing talent. The whole experience was rather bizarre, but at least we got to wear the attractive blue plastic bootees over our shoes of which Russians seem to be so fond; any clinic or palace with a delicate floor, and our they come. Probably a good idea, but regardless they’re very amusing and give you pointy elf toes.

 Friday I went to go see Othello in Russian with two friends. We nearly didn’t make it since my sense of where the theater was located was rather off, but it seems that at least at that theater starting ten minutes late isn’t abnormal, luckily for us. Having previously studied Othello in English, I at least knew the plot, and I thought it was really quite fabulous. Whether this proves that Shakespeare is good in any language or just that my love for the play manages to transcend the language barrier I’m not sure, but it really was very, very enjoyable. It was put on the ‘Modern Theater’, so there were some rather surprising dance interludes, and the music choices seemed very, very Russian to me for some reason. It was surprising, but actually quite effective, and I think I might well return to the theater; the ticket was only $6, after all, and apparently since the season is starting ticket prices are quite good since there are so many theaters in Saint Petersburg. Ideally, I will go to most of them while I’m here, especially as I feel like theater can always be good even if you don’t understand the language. In fact, that’s probably the sign of truly amazing acting. Unfortunately, Othello also made me miss theater terribly; I wish there was some way I could act while I’m here.

 The night finished up with meeting an entourage of Russian boys whom Ashley had somehow picked up; one of them, who had lived in Wisconsin, informed me that while Ashley and I were both good-looking, on average American girls weren’t compared to their Russian counterparts. I sort of have to agree, although it’s a very different look; but I should have told him it’s the same way with Russian boys, but in reverse (I mean really, the mullet?).

 Saturday we excursion-ed to Pavlovsk, to the summer palace built for Paul I (son of Catherine the Great). The palace really was astonishingly beautiful, built in what I would describe as a combination of Classical and Russian styles, but the real treat was the surrounding grounds. The park is absolutely huge, and quite wild in many parts, but with touches of landscaping, like a round tower by a bridge or statues placed at intervals. The park is in a ‘hilly’ part of this area, which means not flat- on the way to Pavlovsk the guide pointed out how the land rose into a ‘hill’ and, I kid you not, we all had to look twice to figure out that she meant a slight rise to our right. To anyone who has ever lived even remotely near hilly or mountainous country, it was a joke. Either way, the Pavlovsk grounds are hilly enough to be charming, and with a few streams and rivers winding through, criss-crossed with beautiful bridges and reflecting the surroundings. And of course, its still fall. Fall just continues to take my breath away, and Pavlovsk is the probably the place that shows it off the best. I can’t even begin to describe the colors, and since most of the trees are rather thin (lots of birches) you can see quite far through the trees, so many colors come out at once. Just watching the yellow leaves filter down through the branches to the forest floor is stunning, the way they float around the surrounding trees and slowly down. I really can’t describe it. I keep saying that, but I think it might just be impossible.

 I really love that Russian gardens are less landscaped than others in Europe; they might be planned, and there are some flower plots, but the trees are allowed to flourish and its just lovely.

 We also had a blast acting stereotypically Russian, gathering select leaves, posing with them for photos…  enjoying the fall, which Russians know how to do. Probably nature generally, really. Ashley even found a leaf crown, which apparently are made just like the daisy chains my mother taught we how to make, just with leaves. All in all it was a wonderful, wonderful way to spend the day. 

 Saturday night, we went out and saw a Surf Rock band. A Russian one. Which was almost creepy because listening to the music, and looking around, I could almost imagine that I was in Wellington, or San Francisco, doing exactly the same thing. The music (no singing) was accompanied by crazy 60’s and 70’s movie clips played behind them, like Frankenstein. It was awesome, a true spectacle. For some reason Russians left a huge gap in front of the stage, which Ashley and I took advantage of to dance in, despite possibly disgruntled murmurs behind us. I would do the same thing at home, perhaps proving that I’m always that annoying person who dances more emphatically than most. It really was a great, very entertaining show, and I now have a 10 ruble note signed by their incredibly good-looking and awesome woman bassist, at whose feet a man laid red roses during the show- reminding me that perhaps I was in Russia, after all.

 Unfortunately, fall seems to be winding down; out the window I can see trees that are nearly all bare. And I think it might be getting a little cold for mushrooms though, as I’m seeing less baskets filled with them around. So I’m going to go out and enjoy the weather; and next weekend its off to Moscow, then Berlin!