Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Day 7... where in the world is KDT?
I've spent a lot of time looking at maps of Moscow. I love knowing where I am and I love maps. In fact, when I've been escorted around town by native Russians, I end up knowing the directions we should take (when we invariably get turned around).
I thought you might like to know where I go- on a map.
Zoom in and click the tabs. I've written some descriptions on the sights...
View KDT in Moscow in a larger map
I thought you might like to know where I go- on a map.
Zoom in and click the tabs. I've written some descriptions on the sights...
View KDT in Moscow in a larger map
Thursday, February 24, 2011
DAY 5
Interesting observations about Moscow:
No peanut butter. ANYWHERE. Victor tells me they hate the stuff. Who hates peanut butter? He gagged when I told him I put it on apples.
No BBQ sauce either. I WANT MY CONDIMENTS
There is no such thing as waiting in line. I actually noticed this at the Russian Consulate in NYC when I was waiting to process my visa. You shove your way to the front. Survival of the fittest. They drive the same way.
Speaking of driving. There are hardly any lanes drawn on the roads. I was on a 6 lane highway through the city and it was a free for all.
The coffee machine at the school actually has an option to add Baileys. No joke.
No garbage cans anywhere on the street. Yet not much litter.
The car ALWAYS has the right of way.
Every visitor to the country has to register with the government. You have three business days to do this. A police man can ask any person for their "papers" at any time.
You can drink beer anywhere. On the sidewalk. Park. Metro. Anywhere. Every street is Beale street.
You have to check your bags at the grocery store (and some other stores). They have little lockers with keys.
The Kremlin and St. Basils church really is THAT beautiful. Just incredible in person.
Now for the vlog...
No peanut butter. ANYWHERE. Victor tells me they hate the stuff. Who hates peanut butter? He gagged when I told him I put it on apples.
No BBQ sauce either. I WANT MY CONDIMENTS
There is no such thing as waiting in line. I actually noticed this at the Russian Consulate in NYC when I was waiting to process my visa. You shove your way to the front. Survival of the fittest. They drive the same way.
Speaking of driving. There are hardly any lanes drawn on the roads. I was on a 6 lane highway through the city and it was a free for all.
The coffee machine at the school actually has an option to add Baileys. No joke.
No garbage cans anywhere on the street. Yet not much litter.
The car ALWAYS has the right of way.
Every visitor to the country has to register with the government. You have three business days to do this. A police man can ask any person for their "papers" at any time.
You can drink beer anywhere. On the sidewalk. Park. Metro. Anywhere. Every street is Beale street.
You have to check your bags at the grocery store (and some other stores). They have little lockers with keys.
The Kremlin and St. Basils church really is THAT beautiful. Just incredible in person.
Now for the vlog...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Day 3
Hello you crazy Americans!!!
I feel like my last post had all the negative things I've noticed. It's only natural to compare things here to what I know in NYC. There are so many great things as well. First of all, the beers are bigger. And you can buy them everywhere at any time. So that's nice. I also love that no one seems to care if you don't speak Russian. I feel like it's my duty to at least make an attempt to communicate in the native tongue. I know a couple words today and every encounter makes me more confident to use more words. My goal is to make sentences by next week. Nothing crazy... just "how much is this", "let's take it from the top" "a five six seven eight"- something like that. Anyway. It was a fun day. On the outside Russians seem very cold, but they are actually crazy fun. I can't imagine what they are like with vodka. I am definitely going to find out. I'll let you know.
One not so great thing. The food. I'm gonna lose 10 pounds just from the eating. I have yet to find anything decent. That's not fair. I have yet to find anything that I want to eat twice. Does that sound more positive? Think sustenance. Awful meat. Potatoes. I still can't find a decent salad. I couldn't even find peanut butter in the supermarket. So that has been interesting. I think if you want real good food you have to spend the $$$. I just might.
Here's the video....
I feel like my last post had all the negative things I've noticed. It's only natural to compare things here to what I know in NYC. There are so many great things as well. First of all, the beers are bigger. And you can buy them everywhere at any time. So that's nice. I also love that no one seems to care if you don't speak Russian. I feel like it's my duty to at least make an attempt to communicate in the native tongue. I know a couple words today and every encounter makes me more confident to use more words. My goal is to make sentences by next week. Nothing crazy... just "how much is this", "let's take it from the top" "a five six seven eight"- something like that. Anyway. It was a fun day. On the outside Russians seem very cold, but they are actually crazy fun. I can't imagine what they are like with vodka. I am definitely going to find out. I'll let you know.
One not so great thing. The food. I'm gonna lose 10 pounds just from the eating. I have yet to find anything decent. That's not fair. I have yet to find anything that I want to eat twice. Does that sound more positive? Think sustenance. Awful meat. Potatoes. I still can't find a decent salad. I couldn't even find peanut butter in the supermarket. So that has been interesting. I think if you want real good food you have to spend the $$$. I just might.
Here's the video....
Monday, February 21, 2011
Day 2
I took a couple pictures....
Fish. in a bag. in a supermarket. I did NOT buy it...
Something else interesting about Moscow: people only invest in the area that they live or work- but NOT common areas. For example, the hallway and lobby in my building is putrid. Yet the apartments inside are beautiful. Another example, today we went to the leasing office of the apartment. I needed to use the restroom, so I went to the common area. This is what I found: No handle to flush. No top. No toilet seat. mmmm yum.
So. That car in the foreground? That car is parked. The car in front is actually on the sidewalk. Yep. If you find a spot, any spot, it's yours...
Next up, the theater that Once on this Island (like the white russian drink) is gonna play. Tonight we saw a student dance/opera performance. It's probably got a 100 seats. Someone told me that Stanislavski used to hung out here. Which is cool. If you don't know who he is, you should. He's real important.
And finally... My apartment. I should take a picture of the hallway, but then you'd all throw up. So let's stay inside. I think there's a reason I have literally two front doors... Anyway, I think these are pretty self explanatory. Kitchen (notice random horse head). Living room. Bathroom. Bedroom. All Ikea furniture. All just fine.
Fish. in a bag. in a supermarket. I did NOT buy it...
Something else interesting about Moscow: people only invest in the area that they live or work- but NOT common areas. For example, the hallway and lobby in my building is putrid. Yet the apartments inside are beautiful. Another example, today we went to the leasing office of the apartment. I needed to use the restroom, so I went to the common area. This is what I found: No handle to flush. No top. No toilet seat. mmmm yum.
So. That car in the foreground? That car is parked. The car in front is actually on the sidewalk. Yep. If you find a spot, any spot, it's yours...
Next up, the theater that Once on this Island (like the white russian drink) is gonna play. Tonight we saw a student dance/opera performance. It's probably got a 100 seats. Someone told me that Stanislavski used to hung out here. Which is cool. If you don't know who he is, you should. He's real important.
And finally... My apartment. I should take a picture of the hallway, but then you'd all throw up. So let's stay inside. I think there's a reason I have literally two front doors... Anyway, I think these are pretty self explanatory. Kitchen (notice random horse head). Living room. Bathroom. Bedroom. All Ikea furniture. All just fine.
First Post!
Well. Now I've done it. My first video blog post. I'm going to include some photos along the way. Here goes...
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