2011-09-22 A Chinese American in Russia

I may or may not have mentioned it, but I started work (volunteering) at the Hermitage (Эрмитаж) today. Which, if you don’t know, is one of the most prestigious museums in the world, second only to the Louvre.  I started off helping move some boxes from office to office. Also known as classic grunt work. But it was really cool being able to wander the halls of the Hermitage as well as the back routes through offices and corridors only staff are allowed into. 

I also spent an hour or so greeting people in the main hall. Helping people figure out where things are, and trying to be helpful. A very difficult task with minimal Russian, it is always a godsend when they speak English. Now here is where the title of this entry comes in handy. Americans, Brits, Aussies and other English speaking people welcome me with open arms with my English help. The Russians are somewhat understanding about my terrible Russian but at least are grateful that I am learning. Now… it is an understatement to say Asians are a very touristy bunch. They literally took pictures with me with the id badge hanging around my neck. Apparently, from what I saw, there are no other ethnically Asian people working here. And perhaps the Asian tourists are proud that one of their own has gotten into this magnificent museum.

The funny thing is they kept picking me as the information agent they wanted to speak to. In Chinese of course. So I dusted off the rusty minimal Chinese I had stored away in the back of my mind and had to use that as well. It was difficult. And I am very bad and need to work on both my Chinese and Russian vocabulary. They literally asked me (in Chinese) ‘are you Chinese? And you work here?’ Twas interesting. I did prefer using my Russian. I thought I did a good job because they understood me. Most useful phrases:

-(insert item) нельзя в Эрмитаже. Or (this item) is not allowed in the Hermitage.

-гардероб (coat room) or туалеты (toilets) or whatever else they’re looking for + directions. Or point haha.

-проходите пожалуйсте. Pass on through please.

I also made a few new friends (university aged) working there, a Canadian and two Brits. Perfect. They speak English and understand my humor. 

So the past few days have been hectic, on an American football team and volunteering at the famous museum. I won’t tell you all just yet, but I have a lot planned for the next week. I’ll keep it a surprise for the blog’s well being. So here’s the cliff hanger, come back soon for more of Kwan in Russia. (That’s the clue too. Not 'in Saint Petersburg’ but 'Russia’. Hint!)