2011-09-04 Week 1 in Summary

My first full week is over. Wow. It’s only been a week. I feel as though I have been here for ages. Our full class schedule starts tomorrow (Monday) as opposed to the abridged version we had our first week. In addition to my Russian Intermediate 202 class I will be taking a contemporary Russian politics class and ‘hopefully’ a 19th century literature class. 

What I have found to be the best way to meet Russians (and anybody for that matter) is by playing soccer. There is one field near the school’s dormitory that is great for meeting the rest of the international students. The other (and my now preferred field) is within a local Russian living area where I have met at least a few dozen local Russians and attempted terribly to converse with them. For example, just today I met and was teammates with Vladimir. Cool fella in his mid-twenties with a nickname Женя (Jenn-yA).  Unfortunately I pronounced Жена (Jenn-A). This is not a nickname but actually the word for wife. Yes… The entire two hour period of this game I was calling for him by calling him 'wife’. Embarrassing. 

I also went grocery shopping today. 415 rubles for at least a few days worth of groceries. Around $15 I purchased 3 cartons of juice, dish washing soap and sponges, toilet paper, a loaf of bread, some kolbaca and cheese. Pretty cheap. 

Also… Russians force you to drink vodka with them. It is literally a social insult to not accept a shot. In the future I have noted to leave as soon as vodka has been spotted or else you will be required to take a shot once offered. Vodka is so cheap here I have spent more money than necessary just to be safe. A handle can be a mere $2, which frightens me.

My study abroad peers are pretty great. I don’t think I could have gotten a better group. Maybe one with a great love interest. But I’ll live. It’s getting late and I’ve got class in the morning. By morning I mean 10 am. Nothing here opens until at least then, because six months out of the year the sun won’t rise until then, and who wants to go to work while it’s still dark out?