Journal 4 - Regis-wha? / Corruption / Movies / Travel

Journal 4 - Regis-wha? / Corruption / Movies / Travel

8-30-10

I stopped by the University around 11 AM, trying to get my registration, but I guess I went too late, because no one was in my school group's office.

Now, this registration thing is actually *very* important.

In Russia, everyone *must* be registered to their cities. So, when you come to visit/work/stay, for more than 3 business days, you have 3 business days to get your registration. Essentially, it says that you have the right to be where you are. Without it, you can be kicked out, etc.

So, that's one day up for me…

**********

A little later in the afternoon, I was off to Dunkin' Donuts, to hang out with Pete!! I was surprised to find out that he had another girlfriend there, too. To tell the truth, I was a little bummed at first; mostly because I had just thought it was going to be Pete and I getting to hang out, and catch up on some things we hadn't had time to talk about before I left Moscow. It didn't help matters that I didn't really know the girl. [Note: now, I know her *much* better! I love Ksusha!!! She's incredible!]

In the end, we all had a fantastic time. The definite highlight of the afternoon was Ksusha's response of, "I'd bite his face off!!" to Pete's question, "What would you do if you saw some guy mugging your Nana?" She had us all *dying* of laughter!

At one point, however, our conversation turned quite serious, and to tell the truth, it depressed me quite a bit. That part of the conversation was centered around the not-so-bright side of life in Moscow: the corruption and greed in everyday life, how the standard of living is not always so great, and the cynical recognition of it all, by Moscow's population.

Presented here as the short story tidbits I received them in:

1. Concerning Russians' Cynicism at their own Country:

Ksusha had a friend who had just had a baby -- at one point, the baby was crying constantly, and seemed perpetually upset. Her friend, frustrated, cried, "Why is my baby sad all the time?!"

Someone replied, "Because you had her here!!!"

The girl responded, "Oh…" Then, "… You're probably right."

I was in shock -- I just couldn't imagine being told that a child was sad because it knew it was born into a certain county -- that it should already know life would be bad there! That kind of pessimism... It made me even more thankful for the life I have had, and the country I come from.

2. On Greed and Corruption -- Especially In Medical Situations

A. Ksusha's grandmother had taken very ill. They called for an ambulance, to take the grandmother to a hospital, and the response was:

"Why should we take your grandma? She is dying anyway!"

Ksusha's family said, "We have money."

And the ambulance's tune changed right away: "Okay!"

-- I couldn't believe it!!! An ambulance *refusing* help, because someone was, "dying anyway!" --

It continued at the Hospital.

The doctor said, "If you do not pay me 1000 rub (~$30) a day, I won't come."

"So we paid." Ksusha said. "My grandmother lived, maybe another month, because we had money, to pay the ambulance, to pay the doctor -- but if we hadn't had that, no one would have helped."

B. Ksusha also related a story where she knew of Obstetricians, who would charge pregnant women, for them to preside over the births. "One charged my friend 35,000 rubles." (~$1,167 USD.)

At the look of shock on my face, Ksusha told me, "Oh! It was a deal! Normally, it's around 90,000 rubles!" (~$3,000 USD)

C. Related to the above, Pete added, "I've had people tell me stories, where they have NEEDED operations -- and the doctors will do NOTHING, until they get a bribe."

Essentially, you could be dying on the table, and until you agree to pay them, there are doctors in the system who would let you die, unless you tell them you'll pay them some fee.

… I felt sick. There is no humanity in that…

It was a stark reminder for me, that, in my bubble of school and dance, and such wonderful friends who look out for me, I am quite removed from the darker, grittier realities of Moscow and Russian life.

**********

Eventually, we all had to get running. On the way out the door, Pete said he was going to go see a movie later, with another friend, and asked if I wanted to go. I told him I didn't think I could -- I was supposed to have my first day of 2 hrs of practice. But then, I was tired, and I didn't feel well; so I took Pete up on Movie offer.

The movie was an American Movie, in English (with Russian Subtitles!), called, "Keeping Up With The Joneses." Maybe some of you saw it?

All Pete and I could say, once we got out was, "Wow." Then, we felt even more sobered, wondering how many Russians in the audience even *got* the message of the movie.

(I won't spoil the movie's plot -- but the overall message was that it wasn't worth it to get yourself into trouble, in order to, "keep up with the Joneses." Whereas, in Russia -- it's still VERY important to many people, that you have the right brand of this or that, or that you have the expensive, nice things. [I kid you not -- you should see the looks some women/men will give you after they look at the *shoes* you are wearing, for crying out loud!]

So Pete and I wondered aloud if the Russians in the audience even understood the tragedy in the movie, or might they just have thought that some of the characters had "failed," when it came to "playing the game," or, "keeping up," so to speak.

It was a cynical moment for us -- probably brought on by the conversation we'd had with Ksusha earlier, about all the bribes, etc. I didn't feel good about it; but I won't deny that the thought was there.)

**********

When I got home, I chatted with one of my best friends, Munky, and felt better about lots of stuff. I shared the terrible stories I had heard that day, and how I'd felt bad for my own thoughts, even though they were based on things that I had seen myself -- and being that I'm the person I am, it was just a tough day. Nothing I wasn't going to survive -- but it was really nice to have a friend there, then. Thanks, Munky. Love you!

**********

And now, I'm up until 4 AM and past it for the 3rd night in a row!! So much for getting into a good schedule!!!!

Worse, I have no choice but to be up early tomorrow -- that pesky registration thing…

Also, I have a meeting at MyBar tomorrow again. Ahsain wants to know what my availability is like, but I can't tell him that until I get my schedule for school… Which will hopefully happen tomorrow…..

And I hope to have lessons.

And I must practice.

And I've found out that won't get to see Mulzoff until probably the 14th of this Month!

*And* Pete leaves 17th for AMI (Anna Maria Island). -- But that's good news!!! I'm happy he'll get to, "go home." I told him he'll have to say hi to my beaches for me!!!

Also -- I just found out that Sasha comes back the 19th. Yay!

(And for those who might have forgotten, the Sasha I'm talking about here is the one who was so kind as to take me to the Bolshoi and Lenkom theaters.)

Love,

Moscow Kitty

3:57 AM