2-22-2010; 3:38 AM
Ohhhhh I should be in bed!!! But here I am, in the weeeeeeeeee hours of the morning! It was a fantastic night, obviously! =^_~=
Rewind: 2-21-2010
So, I got up around 10 -- and had an amazing breakfast of leftover Blini c Tvorogom** and Soft Baranki** -- Yay!
** Notes:
(Blini (aka - Russian Crêpes) with Curds, I believe; but the curds are sweetened in this case.)
(Baranki = The cookie things I keep raving about (and wrote about last time). They're like Bagels; but sweet. The soft ones are big, and have a texture similar to soft pretzels, for all intents and purposes. The biggest difference, of course, is that I hate pretzels, and love Baranki. *laughs*)
I napped some; and then set to working on this Journal!!!! Hours, and hours, and hours! By the time I came out of my room again, Olga said to me -- "You're alive!"
She told me that the Russian "Dancing with the Stars" was going to be on later in the evening, and I told her that I had plans to go to the internet café as well as to dance Salsa (at the party Svetlana [from the John Donne] had told me about; with her little brother); but that I would try to watch part of it. In the end, I only had time to watch two or three of the couples -- they spoke quite a bit at the beginning of the show - and of course, I didn't understand hardly any of what was going on! Still, I suppose it's always fun to see the international versions of t.v. shows that you know.
Unfortunately, with taking the time to watch part of DWTS-Russia, and having to do my work at the internet café, I was late getting out to Salsa… Thankfully, Svetlana's brother waited for me… This turned out to be a very good thing, because I'd left my money behind, as Svetlana told me it was free after the salsa lesson. What this turned out to mean was that if you paid for the lesson, the party was free -- but if you just came to the party, there was in fact a fee!! Dmitri, Svetlana's brother, was kind enough to pay my way in for me, which was very kind of him.
While at the party, I only wound up dancing with Dmitri -- which was not necessarily what I was hoping for. But I'd felt bad, because he'd waited for me (and he'd obviously already had the rest of the night to dance with everyone else…), and he'd paid my way in. Hm… Hopefully next time, I'll be on time, and it'll be a little different.
Don't get me wrong, however -- he was a very good dancer, so I did have fun. I was a little frustrated however, because as we were dancing, he'd keep giving me "false leads." By that, I mean that he would begin to lead me in a certain direction, very strongly -- so I would commit to following what I thought he wanted, and at the last moment, he would change to something entirely different!! The result, obviously, is that in already being committed to follow the first cue, I couldn't change to follow the *real* cue. No girl likes to feel like she doesn't know what the lead actually wants her to do…
Other interesting bits of the night include:
*my seeing someone who looked almost *exactly* like my friend from Italy
*being given some CDs by one of the instructors for the salsa group there.
(The teacher was an older gentleman, who approached me as I was leaving. He'd noticed that I was new, and said he hoped to see me around.)
Dmitri walked me to the Metro (So I wasn't walking alone!!!!) -- and I certainly have to say, I appreciate a good bit of chivalry! He helped me put my coat on and gave me his arm while we were walking! Ha ha, it was fun.
We split ways in the station, where I got onto the transfer train, to pick up the other train for my line at Kievskaya, and the night, it turned out, was only just beginning, instead of ending……
Welcome to another episode of:
Moscow Kitty's Adventures With Random Strangers In Moscow
In today's episode, two, more Asian-featured men asked me for directions while on the Metro. Their names were Pëtr and Kiril (Kiril was Pëtr's friend.) They weren't "lost," per-se, but Pëtr said that he normally drove, but his car was in the shop -- so he wasn't used to the Metro! As Fate would have it, we were going to the *exact* same place -- so I probably said something I *never* should have said: "Well, we're going to the exact same place, so, just follow me -- I'll get you where you need to go."
Before anyone says anything: I KNOW!!!!!! But I'm still alive, after all, aren't I? Besides, we really were going to the EXACT same place. So, they'd have walked with me right off the Metro anyway. Furthermore, their building was *literally* 2 buildings to the right of mine... But that's getting ahead of myself, so, let's rewind.
Meet my companions for the early morning: Pëtr and Kiril. Originally from Kazakhstan, Pëtr has been living in Moscow for 7 years now, and Kiril is visiting/working here for 6 months.
Their English was pretty good -- as always, still better than my Russian -- so we started chatting, and getting to know each other. Kiril said, right off the bat, that he 'felt my energy,' so to speak, and that it drew him to me. Interesting. While I realize that sounds kind of creepy just to see it in text -- that's really the same thing that people say to me in the US all the time when they come up to start talking to me.
Neways, we chatted about where I was from, and both Kiril and Pëtr wondered aloud to me, "What on Earth are you doing in Russia?!" I explained that I was there to study the language, and I also tried to explain about the Ballroom Dancing end of things. Kiril hadn't known that Russia was famous for Ballroom dance, too.
**********
As an interesting cultural note, while we were still on the Metro, and when they were telling me they were from Kazakhstan, Pëtr mentioned how weird it was, to once have been part of the USSR, with the countries not being different; but now, Kazakhstan is it's own country, and everything is separated… It reminded me of the piece we read in Literature, "Chelovek Nikto" ("Человек Никто").
I told Pëtr that it was interesting, to hear someone say they regretted, a little bit, things all being separate now -- "Because, I think, in the West… Or at least, in the US… We're a little more…. "Independence-Oriented" -- so, for us, it was like, "Hooray! Everyone is free!" -- To simplify it. But we don't think that suddenly, overnight, people went from being united, to separated… It would be like, if we all woke up tomorrow in the US, and all of our States were different Countries!" It's something to consider, I think….
**********
We made it to Kutuzovskaya [Metro], and on the way out, Pëtr had said that if he were an American, he didn't think he'd want to come to Russia to study! (I was surprised to hear this, and asked him to elaborate on this later…)
As we walked towards the building that borders the area where I live (as it seemed that we lived almost next to each other), Kiril suggested that we pop into the Coffee House (the restaurant in that building), to sit and chat, instead of splitting ways. --- Never one to turn down a conversation, I accepted the invitation… …. And we chatted for the next *2 hours* or so!
As a lesson in Russian Hospitality: I was upfront with them, and said that I had no money on me; and the response was basically, "Psh, whatever!" And they proceeded to treat me to *real* Hot Chocolate, and Apple Blini!
Here, I should mention about the "real" hot chocolate -- this stuff is EXACTLY like what my old linguistics teacher from Ukraine told us about once -- hot chocolate *so* thick, it coats the back of a spoon and HANGS ON. Heaven! =^___^=
The Apple Blini (with ice cream!) wound up being a bit of a joke, because I was just looking at the sweets on the menu, and they said, "What do you want?" And ordered it for me, basically. I was surprised, and I tried to share -- but they didn't want any, and just laughed as I ate saying, "Sportsmen are always hungry!" -- But really, I didn't mean to get it!!!
**********
Food aside, we got into more meaty conversation, as the subject of, "Why are you here?" came back up.
I think the most interesting question that they asked me was: "What is the most important thing about being here [for you]?"
I told them a few things:
1. I'm here to help people get over the "fear" that the US government instilled during the Cold War.
--Like it or not, I'm firmly convinced that many of our "problems" between the US and Russia come from the fact that the US Government so terrified its citizens about the USSR, and Russians, that we are *still* trying to get over that "fear" or "mistrust" -- that has no real base, anywhere -- people in the US feel whenever the word "Russia" is mentioned.
-- Did you know that, for all of our, "Russians As Bad Guys" in our US movies/t.v. shows/etc, even *to this day!* -- Americans were *never* turned into Bad Guys during Soviet Times, in their films?
**This has been told to me by not only Russian kids my age/slightly older, but at least one professor… I think this is a very, very sad fact….
-- I told them about my friends and family being afraid for my coming here -- but now that I have spoken with them, and they have seen my journals, about how happy I am, and how things are just fine here -- they are doing better.
2. I'm here to be something of a "personal ambassador" -- to reverse stereotypes/misunderstandings that Russians may have about Americans, and in the reverse fashion, to learn about Russians.
3. I'm here to learn about the World View in Russia.
-- I.e. Like what I learned about tonight: some people are upset that the Soviet Union is gone; some people are happy; and some don't care.
-- Pëtr made a comment at one point about it being strange that Kazhakstan is its own country now -- saying that (in his opinion) most of the Mongol, Kazakh, and Turkmenistan people all still think in a similar way -- so that it's still like one country, anyway.
-- Again, my comment from earlier: "I know that the US was pretty happy like, 'Yay, they're all different countries now!" -- We're pretty independence-oriented; but I don't think anybody stopped to think, "What if the United States fell apart tomorrow, and suddenly all our States were Countries? That would be weird…."
**********
Of course, we hit up politics briefly….. (Always!!)
Kiril was saying that he didn't like US Policy -- but then we didn't get into the subject! We started talking about how US disaster movies are terrible, instead. "Soon, the safest place will be in Eastern Siberia!" XD (I don't know *how* that happened… *laughs* )
**********
The Arts were next, as we got into singing, a bit….
I learned about some songs from Kiril. There was one about a girl named 'Katya' he wrote down for me. (It seems that the 1st girl he had a crush on in Kindergarten was named Katya -- and he appeared taken with me, too. He started talking about how he felt a connection to me from the start. Toasted to my health and happiness a few times. -- I don't remember if he'd had a little bit of Vodka by this point or not, but I think so, and I think that helped….)
We also sang some of Katyusha, Kailinka, and Ochi Chornye -- mostly me with Pëtr -- and I found out that they like Karaoke. Pëtr likes Russian songs, mostly -- but some Elvis Presley, too! ("Love Me Tender," being his favorite!)
**********
We got back to Pëtr's comment that, if he were an American, he didn't think he'd want to study in Russia -- as that comment was too good for me to let go of, from a "cultural understanding" point of view!
Pëtr responded that people can seem cold, or mean sometimes, and he didn't think he'd like that.
I told him that I'm not bothered by that, because I always think of it that people just have a "cold" face on, to deal with the world, and it being a big city. But in the end, everyone is on their way somewhere, to people that they love or care about; people that they will laugh with, and joke with, and be happy with.
I also shared some of my family's misconceptions: that Moscow would be a loud, scary city -- but how I don't think it's that way at all!
I find it to be beautiful here, and I'm actually surprised at how quiet it is! I told Kiril and Pëtr about the day I could hear the snow falling. The only down side is -- I miss seeing the stars!!!!
*********
Other random things we talked about:
-- My Alphabet Mix-Ups
*This is when I will be writing a word in Latin letters, and slip into using Cyrillic, or vice-versa. Like when I write, "Ameрika" (America) or, "фоотбол" (football).
-- The Olympics
*Russia's Evgeni Plushenko loosing in Men's Figure Skating to USA's Evan Lysacek
*I asked if it was true that some people wanted to reprimand the athletes for not doing so well in these Olympics…
*Pëtr said yes, but it's more that people want to reprimand the coaches and training facilities. People want to know
where the money is going, with the sports commissions.
-- I proposed the first toast -- because, ""This is the longest I've been at a meal, and around people, without a toast -- to the holidays!!!"
-- Shortly after that was something interesting… Kiril (who definitely had had a little bit to drink by this time, but not a lot) asked me for my hand, and said that, according to the, "Russian School," I should be able to feel what he felt for me, just through the touch of a hand. (E.g. -- Russians can do this; but lots of other people/Americans can't.) Just an 'energy' thing -- I suppose. If you're someone who gets that, you'll understand what he meant; and if you're not -- feel free to move right along!
-- I asked what it was like to try to move (with all of the registration rules) -- and Pëtr said it wasn't too bad, but it can be difficult, yes.
-- We talked about some of the buildings in the area -- the one we were in had a really pretty design on the ceiling, that I had noticed. As it turns out, Pëtr works for one of the government agencies -- property -- and told me that many of the buildings are preserved as buildings with "cultural value." He thought that the area I/we live in might very well be getting some renovations soon.
-- Speaking of renovations, I asked about the "façade" over the building at Red Square. It's just as I thought -- the façade is put up in order to keep the area looking nice, and to cover up the "ugliness" of the construction and scaffolding.
-- I told them about my "Herd o' Militsia" story -- which they thought was great!! I also mentioned that our school program told us we're likely to get stopped at some point (as foreigners) -- but that I'm hoping my "Russian" face helps me out.
*Unfortunately, I have a big smile, and wide-open eyes -- both of which are *quite* different from my real Russian
counterparts.
* "Maybe American Katya different from Russian Katya," Kiril said -- e.g. - I have some Russian Beauty (which is what Kiril said in the Metro), but I am still different.
-- I talked about how it was weird not to have people coming up to me and starting random conversations so much anymore; but that it *does* happen, occasionally, and when there are less people around. (Like with them, for instance!)
-- I had asked how long they'd been studying English; they said, "Until the 3rd level -- [but it] depends on how beautiful your teacher is!" They'd also had a teacher from Nebraska, who used to say, "What am I going to do with you hooligans!?"
=^__^= It was pretty funny.
-- We got into ballroom, a little, and talked about Rumba -- which Kiril likes. And that led us into a rather loaded question….
-- Kiril asked if I'd ever told anyone I loved them.
--Answer: I haven't told anyone, in the way that he meant it. Maybe Karma? But there are plenty of people that I care about very much, and I always tell them that I love them. Our time isn't guaranteed; I don't even say "good bye" to people -- just, "see you later!" If I say that, I *have* to come back [and see people again]!
I also told them I was under orders not to run off with any Russian boys while I was there; and that plenty of my friends back home were rather protective of me.
-- We talked about how I don't believe in coincidences, because Pëtr was mentioning how lucky/fortuitous it was that he and Kiril ran into me / that we ran into each other on the train.
-- They told me that I didn't have to speak for them to realize I wasn't Russian --
-- They figured it out when I jumped up to help right away!!!
-- We chatted about Cross Country Skiing -- how I love that, but I can't stop when it comes to Downhill skiing! "Just because they teach you *how* [to stop], doesn't mean you can!"
-- And on one last food bit, we talked about "shashlik" -- which is basically Russian shish-kabob. It's too early now, but it'll probably be something that starts to be done around March/April.
*********
They saw me home -- something I tried to avoid being done (for general safety reasons) -- but they told me that Russians don't just leave each other on the street, they make sure people get home safe. (Maybe a cultural remnant of not so good times?)
We said goodnight, and they said they hoped that we see each other again. (The impetus is on me -- I have Pëtr's number. I will probably SMS -- they were really nice; and it was a good time.) [3-14-10 Note: But I haven't yet… Thought about it, but haven't…]
I *really* need to be in bed now. Ha ha ha….
Love,
Moscow Kitty; 4:09 AM
PS - I'm SOOOO happy I'm almost all the way caught up online with the journals!!!!
PPS - I've probably forgotten some of the conversations already (dammit!) -- but it was really a great time. Nice to have another small, group/conversation with real Russians -- and even from a different part of the former USSR! Invaluable.
[3-14-2010 PS -- BUT NOW I'M SO BEHIND IN MY JOURNALS AGAIN!!!!!]
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