What the motherland has taught me...

Having been home for nearly a week (sorry for not updating sooner!) I've had time to think about my time in Russia, and realised that I've learnt a lot since September, so I thought I'd share with you all some valuable lessons that I learnt in my time there;

1. Vodka has so many more uses than you could possibly imagine. Used to treat about any illness (by rubbing it all over your body or adding it to tea), to keep you warm, and of course, to clean your jewellery.
2. Saying you ride a матрёшка (matryoshka = Russian doll) instead of a маршрутка (marshrutka = taxi/bus) to class everyday will not get you anywhere.
3. Learning how to open corked wine bottles - no screw tops there!
4. That it is very possible to cross the road without looking - in fact it's usually better to.
5. You don't pay when you get on a bus. Instead you do one of three things; pass your money forward when you find a seat, hand it to a conductor (only some buses), or pay when you get off.
6. That -5 can actually feel quite toasty.
7. That Russian men are just different, and their pick-up techniques are proof of that. Case and point; "Do you have a boyfriend? Yes. Does he live in Russia? No. Cool we can go out then?" Which is then followed by him showing you a picture of his young child. Interesting to say the least.
8. Russian is a very complex language, but they do have a few great shortcuts to balance it out. For example, the English language needs a word like 'можно'. The basic translation of можно is 'possible?' - a question word that can be used in practically any situation.
9. How to traverse a 3 metre wide (and deep!) hole with the help of only a wooden plank.
10. Just not to get upset when people just ignore you, are rude or shout- reminding yourself that the notion of customer services does not exist there.
11. Look, learn and follow. Classic examples being putting any shopping bags you have into a locker every time you enter a new store, or learning to cross the road.

So that's is! However, do not fret, I have a few more Russia related posts to put up before my adventure to Madrid begins!

Until next time,

Isobel

xx

Winter wonderland...

It's been snowing a lot recently, so it's been really cloudy, but when I woke up on Saturday I looked out the window and the skies were bright blue, but due to the sub-zero temperatures, a lot of the snow was still intact. I decided to take a little stroll with my camera and capture the beautiful weather whilst I had the chance. Here are a couple of the photos I took whilst out and about...

Until next time,

Isobel

xx

The last hurrah!

Group shot at BARak O'Mama - 

Incase you didn't notice, you can still smoke inside in Russia.

With less than a week left in our beloved Russia, we decided we should all go out for a 'last hurrah' on Friday night before we all go our separate ways next semester. We met at about 9pm, and after about an hour of hovering by tables, glacial service and separate tables, we managed to get two larger tables next to each other, and the cocktails began to flow. Unexpectedly, there was a great live band that performed some great Russian, Spanish, English and even Italian hits - causing different sections of the bar to break into spontaneous singing! More drinks were poured, cocktails turned into shots and before we knew it we were leaving BARak O'Mama to head to a dance club that plays latin/salsa music on a Friday night. With Sam, Grace and Kiara being the only passable salsa dancers of the group, the rest of us just bopped along and had a genuinely good time. Before I knew it, I was heading home in a semi-blizzard, into my bed and off to sleep in no time! It was a really lovely evening but somewhat bittersweet - our time here together in Russia is nearly over. This time next week I will be back home - most likely in a food coma (have I mentioned how much I miss food??) - and my wonderful Russian journey will be over. Not only will I be leaving Russian, but also leaving behind new found friends, amazing teachers and leaving friends from Bath, many of whom I will not see until September 2014. However, all good things must come to an end, and before I know it I'll be back on a plane, heading towards my new life in Madrid, with many exciting adventures ahead of me. Do not fret however, this definitely won't be my last Russian post - I have a few planned before I leave!

Until next time,

Isobel

xx