Blogs from Russia, Europe - page 285

I'm so tired now, I'm sweaty, sticky and I'm really craving for hot water. Another Russian speaking class this morning - I'm becoming increasingly frustrated! The question "why did I choose Russian" is coming to mind again... I don't know why I'm having such issues remembering things, perhaps I'm getting old (as my class mates regularly remind me of). Perhaps it's just the fact that Russian doesn't sound anything like any other language I know or after all it could just be me of course. In the afternoon they took us to the museum of fine arts. The guide was in Russian but Roman (on the guys from uni) kindly interpreted for us. Each hall had a person guarding the paintings even though I think apart from us there hadn't been any visitors for a long ... read more

So, I get off the train and start to the street. The french girl told me it was only 25 minute walk to the city from the train, so I thought, no problem. It looked like rain, but nothing too scary. So, as soon as I hit the front, the taxi drivers are after me. Nope, you can not walk, the bridge is out. Hmmm...I was not told this on the train, and she was just here a few days earlier, so I figure the guy is blowing smoke and set off on my way. Now, I have this thing with maps. Unless I am really paying attention, I always go the opposite way. Well, the driver put my attention somewhere else and an hour later and no sign of a river, I realize I have ... read more

First speaking class today. I'm so frustrated!!!!!! There's so much you want to say but you simply can't find the words - who am I kidding - I simply don't "know" the words. Irinia, our teacher is a proper teacher and teaches according to the methods I sue when teaching. So it's all good! I can now (after 2 years - about bloody time!) properly introduce myself and ask people some basic questions. Finding the toilet is no longer a problem - reading the menu still causes some issues. But we'll get there! I think we're also not doing a bad job speaking Russian to each other as we've told to do so. This sometimes leads to hilarious situations with certain words: if in doubt - make them up! How about showerovat and pluginovat? I also ... read more

I've made it - into Russia at long last! Sorry for the lack of updates over the past week or so - it's been really hectic here what with travelling and also a lack of internet cafes. Anyway, I'm typing this from a place in Moscow, just off of Red Square. A few of us got up early this morning to queue to see Lenin in his mausoleum and wow, what an occasion! As you can imagine, the tomb itself is very austere with soldiers around making sure you keep in line and keep on walking around the glass cabinet containing his body. The place itself is very dimly lit and cold (especially as it's about 30C outside at the mo). It's just off of Red Square with the huge walls of the Kremlin providing the ... read more

So, I got on the train, it was a compartment with 4 sleepers that would be my home for the next 3 nights. Joining me was a young woman and her young daughter. Neither spoke english, so we smiled a bit then watched the scenery as it passed by. I got the top bunk, leaving to family to the two below. In the middle of the night, a man came into the cabin and took the remaining bunk. In the morning, everyone was getting ready for their stops. First, the man left, then a little later the woman left, and there I was, all alone in my compartment. And it stayed this way until I arrived in Irkutsk...so much for the great parties that occur on the rail. The ride was great, the scenery so fine. ... read more