Chishmyale Kazan

... into trot. 19. Show your id to the kontrollers at the door to second body and smile. 20. How they despise you so. 21. Go to elevators, find one that goes somewhere near your floor. 22. Position yourself to the left of the door. 23. Elbows out. 24. When doors open, wait 5.987 seconds for most students to exit lift. 25. Push your way onto lift with thirty other people. 26. If you are brave, push button ...

... The fact is that the general melancholy of Russian life is bearing down on us in different ways.  Some people have taken to going to McDonalds every day and using the free wifi until their computer battery dies down.  I am afraid to tell them that I found a wall outlet.  Others talk to friends and family back home for hours running up inconceivable bills.  Yet others feel a need to buy Heinz brand Salsa simply ...

... but barely.              As a side note, I would like to say that Hope was on the edge of her seat, but for different reasons... the French team had not one bad looking guy on it.  She was drooling.  Somewhere in the middle of the game she said something to the effect of, "we should have studied abroad in France."  I have to agree; they were not bad looking at all.              Anyway, how in the world to get onto these rabbit trails?  At the end of ...

... it, do we even have a chance?              I have to admit that I was warned about this and didn't really take it into any real account.  I mean, really, what is a little darkness?  I'll tell you.  It is being tired all the time, sinister shadows as you walk home from classes (at 4 o'clock), not being able to see the beautiful city and very long days. However, it is not all bad.  I can sleep better at night and I'm not as hungry, which is always a plus, don't you think?  

... no less than four times throughout the game.  Each costume change was worse than the one before.  I have pics.  When and if I ever have Internet access again, I'll post them.  You won't believe it.  AND they have a live band to play stirring music in hopes to make the team play better.  (maybe this will end up as sarcastic blog anyway.  It's a pity because I did enjoy the game.)  So at this point I would like to reiterate that this was a free ...

So a couple of weeks ago a group of us had been hanging out and we decided to go get blini's at this place on Baumina Street.  I hadn't seen Liam in forever, so he met up with us.  He was telling us his story about finally getting his bankcard (after HIS unfortunate encounter) and then his bank went down because of the recession.  He was like, "welcome to my life." I wish you could hear him talk because his voice carries and it being an odd and heavy ...

Okay, so now is the time to brag.  Kazan has an amazing opera house that host's incredible opera's, ballets and anything cultured.  You know, stuff that American men freak out about and try with all their might to avoid in the States.  They tend to separate the months into types of "shows" (for lack of a better word).  Last month was opera and this month it is ballet.              At the end of September, a group of us were just walking around the city and ended up at the ...

... in and they gave us head coverings and plastic to put over her shoes.  As you walk through the doors, there was a miniature mosque crafted in gold and stones that was stored in a plastic case that rotated so you could see everything of the structure.  Then to the right was a stairway and visitors had to climb several flights to go into this balcony of sorts and witness the call for prayer. It was fascinating.  As we ...

... very well see the appeal of the Orthodox faith.              Then he took us to the new church they built for the Kazan icon.  It was stunning!  The icon itself was not the original but it was a fantastic copy.  Priests were praying and lighting incense.  In the balcony, there were two boys chanting or singing.  It was a very unique experience.  The church itself was so richly decorated that it put the other one to shame.  They really put a lot of money and ...

... hands and I have to say that I am not very mindful if it is in my hands, I forget I have it half the time. Despite all the trouble, I think it isn't such a bad thing. I bet wrapping your bag up in a bag and seal it is a wonderful way of not having shoplifters. Well, that and having their own army in security guards watching your every move. You pick which is the best anti-theft device. I would wager to guess that you would choice the big burly security guy, but that's just me.