2011-12-01 What a week!
I often feel that I am doing a lot and keeping my life exciting which, people who know me will say that this is a good thing for me since I do not like being stuck into routine for too long, is probably a very true statement. Even here in Russia I have felt myself fall in ruts for a few weeks at a time and I’m glad to say for the past few weeks I have not. More in particular this last week. I mean goodness, people are starting to realize that there trip to Russia ends in under two weeks, and they are being inspired more than ever to live life, and while I am not experiencing the same panic and heartbreak with this city, I am certainly reaping the consequences of those who are. Their new found PASSION to explore, and experience, and simply enjoy life while they are here.
Thursday night I found myself volunteering at a gala event at the Hermitage, where I was told that they have began to make my official employee badge. Then found myself at an ex-pat bar with the lovely group of students I’ve spent all semester with for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Early Friday I found myself on the first leg of a 55 hour round trip to Murmansk.
Saturday I arrived there in the Arctic circle. Let’s summarize. It’s an industrial port town. Nothing too impressive. It was icy, and slippery, and cold. But just how I like it. My fellow travelers were:
-Haley Strohmenger (AKA Harry Strohmengla), a wonderful Wisconsin native who enjoys sleeping and reading.
-Amanda Popp, somehow a second Wisconsin native who also thoroughly enjoys sleeping and reading. Maybe it’s a state habit.
-Gena Brumsted, from Maryland and more interested in only the former (sleeping) rather than the latter (reading).
(this is where it gets cool, no offence to Americans)
-Federico Micen, an Italian from Genoa who’s best friend is an octopus. A sentence I can now say in Italian, Il mio meguore amico e un polpo!
-Giulia Milanese, an Italian not from Genoa, but somewhere else!
-Martin Pozdena, Czech friend who has invited me and I’m certain to take him up on the offer to visit Prague.
-Oleg Svarkov, a bad ass Slovakian who’s perfect English can be attributed to the fact he studied abroad in Wisconsin of all places. Coincidence?
So quickly we did nothing. Wandered the city. Saw the port, an atomic icebreaker, sat in on a seminar about atomic energy, bumped into a few weddings, got lost trying to find out hotel, ate dinner while listening to Murmansk’s premier garage band (who were terrible), went to the club, joined a birthday party, and retired to bed around 5 in the morning.
Sunday can be highlighted by one event. Alyosha Memorial. Go wikipedia it. I’m tired. It’s 6 am. It’s gorgeous, underrated, and unbelievably awesome. If I had my camera I would have taken awesome pictures but unfortunately I couldn’t since I forgot the battery in Saint Petersburg, oh well. We hiked it twice to see it during the day and night, the latter accompanied by champagne.
Monday we were on our way back, and Tuesday we arrived in Saint Pete’s. Missed two days of classes, but I didn’t waste any time when I got back. An hour after arrival I was at the Baltika Brewery for a tour and beer tasting, then somehow ended up at a Euroleague basketball match for a dollar, Saint Petersburg versus Munich, Germany.
Wednesday, or yesterday, I recapped class and learned all about my finals next week, then subsequently visited the church of spilled blood. Then found a deserted beach, started a bonfire with a few friends and cooked kebabs out in the cold. Yes it was as awesome as it sounds. Be jealous.
So just a little over one week left. See you soon.