Back To the Motherland...

Everyone has been referring to Russia as the motherland, which I find funny because I don’t actually have Russian blood, as far as we know. But I figured I should give a nod to the way everyone else has been referring to my experience so…I’m back in the Motherland! The trip wasn’t bad, I spent the time in the airports in Cleveland and Newark talking to my brother and the gang, and before I knew it I was on a mostly empty flight to Frankfurt! I had all three seats across the middle to myself, so I was able to lie down and I think I may have actually slept! In the middle of the flight the captain came on and said that it was about to get pretty bumpy – I had my seatbelt on while lying down anyway – and bumpy it was. I was in a dozing state but it was definitely the most turbulence I’ve felt on a transatlantic flight, and it lasted for a little more than a half hour. I napped a little more and then was woken up by the lights coming on and a light breakfast coming around. Landing was fine, it was funny listening to the crew in German and English announce that it was ‘bitter cold’ in Frankfurt when I knew it was about to get much colder where I was headed. Didn’t even have to go through customs – a little disappointed not to get another stamp – because I was staying in the international terminal to catch my next flight. So I read the German newspaper that I had been given on the plane, ate an expensive spaghetti bolognese (the airport is remodeled and very nice, but not a ton of food choices), and took a little nap in one of the lounges. Boarded for St. Petersburg without a problem, and tried to sleep again but the chatter of the Russians next to me largely prevented that from happening. They seemed incredibly excited and proud when they realized we were over Russian territory – and I was happy to be going back, for sure – in a way that made me question what on earth there was to be so proud of. I like this country, and I love many of the people here, but I don’t feel the same pride when I’m in a situation like landing in an airplane as I do when I’m landing in Germany or Austria. It was just an interesting comparative study and thought-filled moment as I hit the ground in Russia.

Orientation at the hotel was at intervals entertaining and mind-numbing. It was great to get a big hug from Irina Borisovna and feel immediately so at home, despite the funny looks from the new students. It was fun watching people go through some of the same stage we all went through on arrival and be able to help them, but the sessions got to be a little boring – when people weren’t asking entertaining questions like “Is there a barbershop culture in Russia?” – since it was the second time we’d heard pretty much the same information. I have loved catching up with the ‘old-timers’ as Irina has started referring to us collectively, most of whom were here or at least in Russia over break. The new students seem pretty cool too, all sorts as usual, though still very jet-lagged for the most part. I look forward to getting to know them better, but I know it is going to be impossible to replace the friendships I made last semester. If you’re reading this, девушкы, I miss you incredibly already and don't worry, Ira has asked about each of you and renewed her promise that if you show up at the door you can have all the blini you can handle, half my bed, and space in the closet. And she's continuing the awesome trend of speaking Russlish, which Pasha is starting to really find entertaining and I of course love. I really missed being a part of this Russian family, and I can't wait to see what adventures the semester brings.

Some other fun things that happened at orientation weekend:

- Remembered that the water in Russia does funny things to my hair for the first little while;

- First time back in the metro there were four militsia standing at the top, luckily I looked Russian enough to walk past all of them;

- Didn't have to get an HIV test in the creepy basement, but found out that Katya being so helpful that day last semester led to her job with CIEE;

- Saw a man in the hotel restaurant with four women, one of whom was in a crop purple sweater meant for someone 10 years younger, and another who was wearing a completely see-through top with a black bra;

- Ira climbed on a chair and rearranged the entire top of the refrigerator so that the picture of Cleveland on the front of the chocolate box that I gave her could be most prominently displayed;

- Our bus got so stuck trying to turn from one narrow corner to another in a snowbank that the driver and some passers-by had to take off the back bumper to make the turn;

And many more. I miss and love all of you very much, my internet is now up so I will try to be around a couple of nights a week to catch some of you online. Regardless, please post, comment, tweet, whatever, so I know you're out there J Much love from the incredibly snowy Piter!