1st week down and all is well! Sorry about the delay in posting, but posting on the internet on a consistent basis was a challenge. This has been surprising for me because there are about 10.5 million people in the city and another 10 million in the surrounding areas.
I was able to get internet in my room, but it was a little awkward. Trying to negotiate a service contract for technology when you have the communication skills of a 7 year old can be a challenge. Now that I finally have that piece squared away I should be posting on a more regular basis.
Photos...I have tons of photos so far and tons of time left, however they only do limited access internet here and I pay by the megabite so we will post the photo slide show or collage after I get home to my own connection with unlimited access.
What is it like?? Very interesting. The people here are simultaneously modern and extremely traditional. Men are men. Women wear skirts and heels for most everything...people are well traveled and often speak more than one language. They are also very pleased to make you aware of how limited your skills are at speaking their language. Thankfully, my skills are improving daily. (by necessity! if you can't say what you want here, you will go WITHOUT. including food.)
Moscow is considered to be the 2nd most expensive city in the world, behind Tokyo. Things are priced very differently than at home. For example, if you buy a 5 liter jug water to drink, it might only cost 40 rubles ($1.70), bread is 25 cents a loaf for expensive bread. The price you see is the price you pay, taxes are included and you are not asked for more money than is priced at the register. Then again, we went by the Levi's store at GYM (pronounced GOOM, it is opposite the Kremlin Wall in Red Square) and saw a sweatshirt we would buy for $40 at home offered here for $160 US DOLLARS!! Levi pants you buy at Sam's for $30 go for $200. This city is full of opposite extremes. I like it.
Crime is an interesting adventure. This is a large city and like all other cities you cannot let your guard down or you will have trouble or be injured. We seem to be living in a relatively safe area, although it is rumored that local skin heads hold anti foreigner rallies in our metro (subway) station. Fortunately we have not had to experience that yet.
Russians stare. People look at you and try to figure out where you are from. IT DOES MATTER and WILL EFFECT HOW YOU ARE TREATED. Muscovites are not particularly friendly and especially not to Americans. However, they seem to have a love affair with Spanish speakers. To my surprise, I get asked questions in spanish all the time from strangers and as soon as I answer they seem to warm right up, as if to say, "Oh, okay, you're alright then..." Staring is generally seen as aggressive at home, but is the norm here. Don't take it personal. On the other hand it gives you the same opportunity to know who's around you and appreciate your differences, or just people watch.
We ride the Metro (subway) everywhere. This is a ring and radius city with an excellent public transportation system. Riding the Metro is inexpensive and allows plenty of opportunities for excercise. Russian drivers are AGGRESSIVE. The pedestrian is a target, even in the cross walk, and people will gun the motor if you are in the street when the light turns...this is not a joke. I thought we were being sensitive at first, but locals even look worried before they cross the street, and that would be a tell tale sign that we are really seeing what we think we are seeing. I have seen old ladies have to break into a run to make it across.
People smoke. Everywhere. In the computer cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, you name it. People drink in public. You can buy an excellent beer at any local kiosk (stand on the side of the street) for about a dollar and take it with you where ever you go...including on the metro or walking down the street. One of the funniest things I have seen is businessmen and working stiffs buying a beer while they wait for the bus at 730am!
Police. They keep you safe and may ask for tips while doing their job...if you see the police here and you don't speak the language, shut your mouth. If you are obviously foreign or not from this city, they will ask for your papers (documents, visa, passport) to confirm your status and legitimacy and then allow you the opportunity to buy your own paperwork back from them for a fee after review. On the other hand if you shut up and mind your business they will generally look right over you and not give you any problems.
Pick pockets. If you like your stuff don't keep it where anyone can see it or in your back pocket. A fool and his belongings are soon parted in Moscow.
Anyway, I am having fun, making friends, and learning a ton. I believe that I am confirming what I have always known, that I can be dropped off anywhere on the planet and survive and thrive. I am glad to be here and wouldn't change it for anything.
Post more soon.
- NC
I was able to get internet in my room, but it was a little awkward. Trying to negotiate a service contract for technology when you have the communication skills of a 7 year old can be a challenge. Now that I finally have that piece squared away I should be posting on a more regular basis.
Photos...I have tons of photos so far and tons of time left, however they only do limited access internet here and I pay by the megabite so we will post the photo slide show or collage after I get home to my own connection with unlimited access.
What is it like?? Very interesting. The people here are simultaneously modern and extremely traditional. Men are men. Women wear skirts and heels for most everything...people are well traveled and often speak more than one language. They are also very pleased to make you aware of how limited your skills are at speaking their language. Thankfully, my skills are improving daily. (by necessity! if you can't say what you want here, you will go WITHOUT. including food.)
Moscow is considered to be the 2nd most expensive city in the world, behind Tokyo. Things are priced very differently than at home. For example, if you buy a 5 liter jug water to drink, it might only cost 40 rubles ($1.70), bread is 25 cents a loaf for expensive bread. The price you see is the price you pay, taxes are included and you are not asked for more money than is priced at the register. Then again, we went by the Levi's store at GYM (pronounced GOOM, it is opposite the Kremlin Wall in Red Square) and saw a sweatshirt we would buy for $40 at home offered here for $160 US DOLLARS!! Levi pants you buy at Sam's for $30 go for $200. This city is full of opposite extremes. I like it.
Crime is an interesting adventure. This is a large city and like all other cities you cannot let your guard down or you will have trouble or be injured. We seem to be living in a relatively safe area, although it is rumored that local skin heads hold anti foreigner rallies in our metro (subway) station. Fortunately we have not had to experience that yet.
Russians stare. People look at you and try to figure out where you are from. IT DOES MATTER and WILL EFFECT HOW YOU ARE TREATED. Muscovites are not particularly friendly and especially not to Americans. However, they seem to have a love affair with Spanish speakers. To my surprise, I get asked questions in spanish all the time from strangers and as soon as I answer they seem to warm right up, as if to say, "Oh, okay, you're alright then..." Staring is generally seen as aggressive at home, but is the norm here. Don't take it personal. On the other hand it gives you the same opportunity to know who's around you and appreciate your differences, or just people watch.
We ride the Metro (subway) everywhere. This is a ring and radius city with an excellent public transportation system. Riding the Metro is inexpensive and allows plenty of opportunities for excercise. Russian drivers are AGGRESSIVE. The pedestrian is a target, even in the cross walk, and people will gun the motor if you are in the street when the light turns...this is not a joke. I thought we were being sensitive at first, but locals even look worried before they cross the street, and that would be a tell tale sign that we are really seeing what we think we are seeing. I have seen old ladies have to break into a run to make it across.
People smoke. Everywhere. In the computer cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, you name it. People drink in public. You can buy an excellent beer at any local kiosk (stand on the side of the street) for about a dollar and take it with you where ever you go...including on the metro or walking down the street. One of the funniest things I have seen is businessmen and working stiffs buying a beer while they wait for the bus at 730am!
Police. They keep you safe and may ask for tips while doing their job...if you see the police here and you don't speak the language, shut your mouth. If you are obviously foreign or not from this city, they will ask for your papers (documents, visa, passport) to confirm your status and legitimacy and then allow you the opportunity to buy your own paperwork back from them for a fee after review. On the other hand if you shut up and mind your business they will generally look right over you and not give you any problems.
Pick pockets. If you like your stuff don't keep it where anyone can see it or in your back pocket. A fool and his belongings are soon parted in Moscow.
Anyway, I am having fun, making friends, and learning a ton. I believe that I am confirming what I have always known, that I can be dropped off anywhere on the planet and survive and thrive. I am glad to be here and wouldn't change it for anything.
Post more soon.
- NC
posted by NC at 6:30 AM
1 Comments:
Hey Sawako! It's really good to here from you! Hope everything's going well. Things are moving along and the classes are really intense. Wish you could be here with the rest of us!! I will pass the word along.
- NC.
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