First stop - St Petersberg
Trip Start
Aug 10, 2008
1
59
Trip End
Ongoing
St Petersburg,
Russian Federation
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
wow. what a day. I have entered a new world.
The goodbyes were hard. Kind of glad they were a little spread out, some Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I felt so weird getting on that plane - leaving everyone behind and going into the unknown. The other passengers were mainly Russian and the air hostesses spoke only Russian so I was already an outsider.
My first stop is a two week Russian course, and I'm staying with a host family to learn as much as possible. I was met at the airport with others that arrived at similar times and we were driven to our drop offs. The drive itself was amazing - seeing the different buildings - from crumbling wrecks to grey offices to beautiful churches. Powerful statues, waterways and long straight highways. There seem to be an abundance of watermelon stalls and flower shops here - all open although it was Sunday evening.
We dropped a group of Italians off first - their apartment was very run down and it took a while for them to even find the correct entrance down a dark entrance gate. Then we turned up at the next drop off - the minibus turned in and as I looked across at another passenger we both raised out eyes - the road seemed to be dug up everywhere, there were lots of military personnel and the buildings were in a bad state. Who would be dropped here? Yep you guessed it - that was my stop! The person who met me buzzed us in and I went up 2 flights of crumbling stone steps in what could have been an abandoned building.
My hosts opened the door and it was like a different world inside - very typical of what I have seen in books and on TV with lots of wooden furniture, amazing old detailing, brightly colored flowery, shiny walls.
Entrance to art centre
Wooden parquet flooring and colorful rugs. My hosts are lovely - both retired physics teachers, she speaks a little English and he speaks French. I had a tour of the flat - I have a huge room with sofa bed, desk, TV, wardrobe etc. I was shown how to light the boiler for hot water (I still haven't perfected that yet) and also my place at the kitchen table. I then had a chance to unpack before supper. We ate well with meat and spaghetti, salad and a chocolate roll. I had lemon tea to drink and joined Alfred (the host father) in a couple of shots of vodka. There were very pleased that I knocked them back in one and that I said I will eat anything when they asked my likes and dislikes! I get breakfast and supper everyday (at 8pm) and on weekends I also get lunch. After supper Alfred gave me my own set of keys and talked my through the process of locking and unlocking the doors (2 doors and 3 complicated locks!) All of this was explained in French so I'm glad that I brushed up a bit in Luxembourg. Alfred then explained the options for the metro tickets and took me to the station to buy one as it gets very busy in the mornings. I chose an option that gave me 40 trips for 595 roubles - it was credited to a card like our oyster cards - although much cheaper! We chatted (in my broken french!) on the way and stopped for a coffee on the way back. Alfred pointed out the adult video stores and sex shops and said that was normal here. There were loads of military again - but this was because there is a base just down the road.
In the art centre
The sky was still light at 9.30pm and because of the time difference I still felt quite awake. I took a shower and headed to bed to read up on the college notes for the next day.In the morning, after breakfast, Alfred accompanied me to the college - it's just 4 stops on the metro and takes just over half an hour from door to door. I tried hard to remember the journey for the way back.
The college is very well organized and people come from all over, and for many different reasons. I've had my first 4 hours of Russian and it's like learning to read again at school - very hard! Luckily the class I'm in has just 5 students so there is plenty of attention. It's been a lot to take in today so just thought I'd take a bit of time out to write this and start my sight-seeing properly tomorrow - we get a free tour at the end of lessons tomorrow so that will help to orientate me. We get a student card so that means a discount in a lot of the places - it will also be useful in other places I travel to. The other people here are friendly but it will certainly take a bit of getting used to - lots to take in.
Wednesday
I forgot to say - two things that made me smile - when I met the others at the airport, one of the other passengers - a 16 year old boy had 2 huge suitcases and a backpack. One of the others comments that it was funny that I could have two small bags and he had so much - any one that knows me would be very proud of that!! Especially as he didn't realise I was taking this bag a bit further and longer after wards.
Next thing was a couple of girls were shocked when I told them my age. they were early 20's and thought I was much younger so that was nice!
Ok, anyway, lessons are good but so hard. getting there s-l-o-w-l-e-y. We had a free walking tour around the city yesterday which was fantastic - it lasted 4 hours and we saw loads of places I want to go back to. After the tour I managed to navigate the Metro from a different station and including a change :)
Internet time is limited so will leave this for now but will write more soon...
PS I have already needed to use my deet mosquito repellent - have been biten loads - didn't think I'd need it until Asia but hot weather has brought them out.
Comments
wow!
wow, what a day! Privet. Did you find it all looked very grey when you where driving through? cant wait to here more. Dasvidania x x x
Re: wow!
Cheers matey! Yes very grey and run down. I still think that of some places - so many contrasts with the splendor of some places and the horrible parts elsewhere. x