Riviera Kazan

... thoughts about immovable forces. 15. Still fall over when bus stops suddenly. 16. Walk from stop to campus. 17 Avoid the Hari Krishnas trying to sell you the Bhagavad Gita in Russian. 18. If they try to stop you cross yourself ostentatiously to throw them off guard (you look so much like a heathen!) (remember in Russia it's not kosher unless it's two fingers and a thumb right then left) and ...

... added realization that we are just not the good people we thought we were.  Many an evening I would stare down the spine of some imposing book by Herodotus or Aeschyllus and think 'if only I wasn't so busy.'  Now that I am not so busy instead of reading histories of Rome or the Etruscans I lay around in pajamas and try to pretend I'm doing more than winning my fifteenth consecutive game of freecell on my ...

... a team from Paris, France, so everything was totally different and a bit more polished then usual.  The real volleyball floor was down, the scoreboard was in English and they had English-speaking commentators.  The crowd was huge and the cheerleaders were.... well they were just as bad and if possible, were worse then usual.  It was the closest game that we had been to in a while so it was edge of the seat exciting and we finally won after three ...

... it and as soon as the sun goes down (that is if there was sun that day, which is rare) then we just immediately go into sleep mode.  Iilka generally never sleeps.  She is up way after we go to bed and up before dawn, but lately she has been sleeping all day and going to bed early.  Idgay is the same.  He comes home really late and usually is gone before we wake up, but this Sunday we got up and went to church, the market, came home and he was still asleep.  If natives can't ...

... before you can enter.  Which makes sense, I mean I have a rabid fascination with volleyball players that make me want to harm.  Don't we all?  (joking, just joking)  We go and find seats and they are in the best possible place.  I mean, we have a wonderful view and I settle in for the game.  Soon, however, I am startled again.  Cheerleaders come out and they are baaaad. I mean, it was so bad that you couldn't look away and they changed ...

... t sound that great I know, but at least I don't have to deal with the militia. I remember when we first got here and Iilka took us out to watch the fireworks.  She went up to a militiaman to ask him a question. Kristen looked at me and said," She is talking to the scary militiaman." I still feel that way, they have never been mean or rude in anyway, but to me they are still "scary militiamen."  Perhaps, one day my opinion will change but I wouldn't hold my breath.   

... priceless.             Anyway, that was my story and I'm sticking to it.  I was really proud of her so I sent texts out to everyone I know telling them about babushka being on the telly.  Everyone was really happy except for dad, who asked me what a babushka was.  I mean really.  Does he know he has a daughter that is obsessed with Russia??  Where has he been all these years??  Oy Vay!!  Oh and by the way.. she did come home and make dinner.  Mashed potatoes...yum!    

... day, but none were forth coming.  However, with some twist of fate, it was the most beautiful day ever that day.  The sky was a magnificent blue and the temperature was in the late 50's.  The Kremlin is a stunning place!  It has a mosque as well as an Orthodox church inside as well as spires and mansions, we went into everything that we could and it was really cool.              The mosque was a unique experience.  We ...

... that there were hardly any people there but there were many people coming in and out.  Of course, there was no seating because there is no seating in Orthodox services, but it seemed very serious and casual at the same time. I know that doesn't make sense but that was how it was anyway.  The front of the church in the inside was covered with gold gilding and icons were everywhere.  If you were there for the artistic aspect, it was absolutely gorgeous and I ...

... of a postage stamp but hey they are trying.. be happy) but you have to pack it yourself. It is just something that you have to remember and be prepared for. Oh and also most stores (not just grocery stores) have lockers in the front of them with keys hanging from them. If you have a bag and they have no sealer or if the bag is what they call too big, then they make you lock up your bag and you have to carry the key. Which is a pain because you have to carry your wallet in ...