What is it actually like to live on the busiest street in St. Petersburg? For starters, I’m a mere fifteen minute walk from the Winter Palace; the Hermitage is the house at the end of …
Russia
Why Are You Going to Russia?
When I tell people I’m going abroad, their first question nearly without fail is, “Why Russia?” I know they’re wondering why not somewhere a little… safer? Why not somewhere where they speak English? Why somewhere …
Here’s to Russia
Well here’s to my last night in Saint Petersburg. I have to wake up at the ungodly hour of 2:00 am in only a few hours, but at this moment I couldn’t care less. I …
Sochi: A Whole New Russia
Reflection. Sometimes it is so incredibly hard to reflect. I just got off a 42 hour train ride from Sochi to Saint Petersburg, and I’m having a difficult time summing up the glorious, stressful, wonderful, …
Breaking Down Stereotypes: Moscow Style
Have you ever heard the stereotype that Russians are cold? I don’t mean just “cold” physically. I’m referring to the stereotype that Russians are cold, cruel, and always frowning. Well, I heard this a LOT …
Jumping Turnstiles: The Road Less Taken
I get lost a lot, and I’m pretty sure it is because I never really think before I do. I just do. There’s no planning that ever goes into my excursions in this country. Usually …
Aggressive Love
I’m in panic mode. It’s already March, and I still have so much to experience! Part of me wants to stay in Saint Petersburg through the end of summer. My host babushka, Marina, and her …
Sunshine and Justin Timberlake
SUN! The sun has finally decided to show itself to Saint Petersburg today, and my mood is now comparable to that of a child in Disneyland. This beautiful city has so many wonderful things going …
Sour Milk
About five days ago I watched as my host babushka poured a jug of milk into two mason jars. There they sat on the counter for five days. On the third day I asked her …
Support System
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to adequately describe my host babyshka. Marina is a paradoxical woman, and I feel like I’m learning something new and exciting about her every day. I also …