Half way....
So much has happened since my last post but let's try to catch up.
The weekend. Loads of fun. Spent most of the weekend socializing with friends and exploring the city. As I am sure you know I have always been a fan of good food, good conversation, and good times. I was lucky enough this weekend to do all of the above.
Went over to a friends after class. Taught them how to play hold 'em. Card games are universal. Got lost on the way home and had to take the bus instead of the Metro. I knew the ride was going to be interesting when we got on the bus, because the driver's cigarette was hanging from his lips and he was drinking a 32 oz. Jaguar. Jaguar is an "Alco-Energy" drink. Basically it's a "bull blaster". Red Bull and Vodka...maybe more like espresso and vodka...anyway it was big and he seemed to be enjoying his day. We got stuck in traffic 10 minutes later and he turned the bus off and decided to get off for a stretch....with a bus full of people!
After crawling under the turnstyle to get off the bus we walked in a park. Moments Later we found out that cars avoiding the traffic jam would drive down the foot path at 25mph and not use their horn. The first one came from behind, but we dove into the grass quick enough to get away. The driver thought it was hilarious. He continued down the foot path, barreled into the crosswalk in his car, went right past the police man directing traffic, and turned on to the next street and disapeared. This happened about 4 different times so it must be customary. Going to have to stick with the Metro!
Friday night, stayed in until about 11pm and then went with friends to a place called Propaganda! Talk about irony. A club named propaganda in Moscow!! Even Muscovites appreciate a good joke. Propaganda is one of the oldest night clubs in the city. It was interesting to hang out and see how locals socialize. Lots of dancing and interesting electronic music. The club was a little dark, but we had a good time. I met a Canadian guy named Dave who works as a chef on a yacht. He has been here since February, but was leaving for Barcelona on Monday! Lucky bastard!! I bet Costa Brava is amazing in the summer. I am going to have to check that out some time.
We have also been having some good laughs about this guy named Herbert from Austria. He was very excited to meet Americans in the club, but we all suspect it's because he was there to pick up men! Whoah, nelly!!
Saturday, we had an excursion. That translates as a scheduled, but fly by the seat of you pants, trip to somewhere you have never been. We ended up riding a bus for about 4 hours to get to the museum, and everyone needed the sleep. We walked around this really cool estate that used to house a bunch of famous writers and artists. I took a bunch of pictures and the countryside is really beautiful. I will post them when I get back.
After the museum, we were fortunate enough to go to the country house, dacha, of one of our language instructors. Unfortunately for us it started to rain and there was a ton of work that needed to get done so we could eat supper. Ended up cutting fire wood, grilling sashlik (shishkabobs), and digging a hole to install a small pond for fish and sitting by.....in the rain in 45F weather. The meal was awesome. Sashlik, lavash (basically tortillas), green onions, cumbers and tomato salad, vodka, wine, and beer. I really enjoyed the day and the view of the trees and countryside was amazing.
It's not hard to see why people call this home, inspite of bone crushing cold in the winter.
Saturday night, we went to Karma Bar in the Lubyanka district. WHOAH! What an evening. The DJ spun really cool music all night, and the crowd was intense. It is one of those clubs with multiple rooms, but basically, people dance, sit on couches and talk, drink, and smoked flavored tobacco from a hooka, all at once...Escaped the club at 730am!!
Sunday afternoon.....(you know where the day went....haha) went to Kitai Gorot, China Town, which in Moscow has only german architechture, and has no chinese residents.....figure that out!
Ate at a very cool cafe called Art Garbage, and hung out with my good friend Andreas from Munich, Germany, and Jona from our group. Had tons of laughs and learned survival phrases in german. You know the important stuff like...no beer before 4 in the afternoon, but just this once we'll make an exception!! hahaha.
Monday was class! Learned a lot. Vocab is getting better. I am getting better communicating in the street. The confidence is coming back.
Tuesday was the same. In the evening another mystery occured... not sure how it happened, but 20-30 people ended up in our room until 5 in the morning telling jokes, and hanging out. Had a few friends over and a party broke out....happens.
Wednesday was another exursion, more musuems where you can't take photos. Ended up in the North of Moscow and got ripped off by the cafe where we ate lunch. Couldn't be a real trip until you have been scammed by a restuarant because you can't argue over the bill. On the bright side, we saw the biggest farris wheel in Moscow and the Cosmonaut museum.
Today is Thursday. So far so good. The weather is warming up. I have been fortunate enough to see life happening before me today. This afternoon I heard yelling out the window, and went to see what it was. We live on the 14th floor, and down in the parking lot was a young guy in his 20's wearing a suit and holding flowers, yelling his girlfriends name, NADIA, up 18 floors of a 22 story building. His best friend, also in a suit, was standing next to him for support. When she came to the window, he told her he loved her and asked her to marry him...up 18 floors....not sure how it worked out, but hopefully it all went well. Got to hand it to the brother, he was going for broke. It's another day in Moscow.
Post more soon.
So much has happened since my last post but let's try to catch up.
The weekend. Loads of fun. Spent most of the weekend socializing with friends and exploring the city. As I am sure you know I have always been a fan of good food, good conversation, and good times. I was lucky enough this weekend to do all of the above.
Went over to a friends after class. Taught them how to play hold 'em. Card games are universal. Got lost on the way home and had to take the bus instead of the Metro. I knew the ride was going to be interesting when we got on the bus, because the driver's cigarette was hanging from his lips and he was drinking a 32 oz. Jaguar. Jaguar is an "Alco-Energy" drink. Basically it's a "bull blaster". Red Bull and Vodka...maybe more like espresso and vodka...anyway it was big and he seemed to be enjoying his day. We got stuck in traffic 10 minutes later and he turned the bus off and decided to get off for a stretch....with a bus full of people!
After crawling under the turnstyle to get off the bus we walked in a park. Moments Later we found out that cars avoiding the traffic jam would drive down the foot path at 25mph and not use their horn. The first one came from behind, but we dove into the grass quick enough to get away. The driver thought it was hilarious. He continued down the foot path, barreled into the crosswalk in his car, went right past the police man directing traffic, and turned on to the next street and disapeared. This happened about 4 different times so it must be customary. Going to have to stick with the Metro!
Friday night, stayed in until about 11pm and then went with friends to a place called Propaganda! Talk about irony. A club named propaganda in Moscow!! Even Muscovites appreciate a good joke. Propaganda is one of the oldest night clubs in the city. It was interesting to hang out and see how locals socialize. Lots of dancing and interesting electronic music. The club was a little dark, but we had a good time. I met a Canadian guy named Dave who works as a chef on a yacht. He has been here since February, but was leaving for Barcelona on Monday! Lucky bastard!! I bet Costa Brava is amazing in the summer. I am going to have to check that out some time.
We have also been having some good laughs about this guy named Herbert from Austria. He was very excited to meet Americans in the club, but we all suspect it's because he was there to pick up men! Whoah, nelly!!
Saturday, we had an excursion. That translates as a scheduled, but fly by the seat of you pants, trip to somewhere you have never been. We ended up riding a bus for about 4 hours to get to the museum, and everyone needed the sleep. We walked around this really cool estate that used to house a bunch of famous writers and artists. I took a bunch of pictures and the countryside is really beautiful. I will post them when I get back.
After the museum, we were fortunate enough to go to the country house, dacha, of one of our language instructors. Unfortunately for us it started to rain and there was a ton of work that needed to get done so we could eat supper. Ended up cutting fire wood, grilling sashlik (shishkabobs), and digging a hole to install a small pond for fish and sitting by.....in the rain in 45F weather. The meal was awesome. Sashlik, lavash (basically tortillas), green onions, cumbers and tomato salad, vodka, wine, and beer. I really enjoyed the day and the view of the trees and countryside was amazing.
It's not hard to see why people call this home, inspite of bone crushing cold in the winter.
Saturday night, we went to Karma Bar in the Lubyanka district. WHOAH! What an evening. The DJ spun really cool music all night, and the crowd was intense. It is one of those clubs with multiple rooms, but basically, people dance, sit on couches and talk, drink, and smoked flavored tobacco from a hooka, all at once...Escaped the club at 730am!!
Sunday afternoon.....(you know where the day went....haha) went to Kitai Gorot, China Town, which in Moscow has only german architechture, and has no chinese residents.....figure that out!
Ate at a very cool cafe called Art Garbage, and hung out with my good friend Andreas from Munich, Germany, and Jona from our group. Had tons of laughs and learned survival phrases in german. You know the important stuff like...no beer before 4 in the afternoon, but just this once we'll make an exception!! hahaha.
Monday was class! Learned a lot. Vocab is getting better. I am getting better communicating in the street. The confidence is coming back.
Tuesday was the same. In the evening another mystery occured... not sure how it happened, but 20-30 people ended up in our room until 5 in the morning telling jokes, and hanging out. Had a few friends over and a party broke out....happens.
Wednesday was another exursion, more musuems where you can't take photos. Ended up in the North of Moscow and got ripped off by the cafe where we ate lunch. Couldn't be a real trip until you have been scammed by a restuarant because you can't argue over the bill. On the bright side, we saw the biggest farris wheel in Moscow and the Cosmonaut museum.
Today is Thursday. So far so good. The weather is warming up. I have been fortunate enough to see life happening before me today. This afternoon I heard yelling out the window, and went to see what it was. We live on the 14th floor, and down in the parking lot was a young guy in his 20's wearing a suit and holding flowers, yelling his girlfriends name, NADIA, up 18 floors of a 22 story building. His best friend, also in a suit, was standing next to him for support. When she came to the window, he told her he loved her and asked her to marry him...up 18 floors....not sure how it worked out, but hopefully it all went well. Got to hand it to the brother, he was going for broke. It's another day in Moscow.
Post more soon.
posted by NC at 5:58 AM
1 Comments:
So good to see you on the webcam last night. Thanks for keeping in touch through out your travels - can't wait to see you!
Saw CJ and Noel the night before and they look great, Evan was already knocked out for the night...they are counting the days until your return. Love you lots. ~Mom
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