Well, I am sick. There has been a flu going around and I think I caught it (and maybe food poisoning as well - stupid uncooked kidney beans and Russians who don't know how to make food not involving potatoes or cabbage). But ignore me, I am just grumpy.
So, the weekend's been ruined, but I have gotten the chance to rest, which is good. I am actually virtical for the first time in three days.
Since I did not do anything this weekend worth posting, I will tell you about banya day! For those of you who don't know, the banya is the Russian version of a sauna. Basically, you go into a steam room for a bit where you flog yourself with birch branches and then walk out into a cold pool or frozen lake. Break for vodka and tea and then repeat as necessary. Classically Russian.
I was a little freaked out at first (especially considering that this is typically done naked in a room full of people), but a group of about 15 from MGU decided to go last week. We rented a private banya and hung out for a bit. It was a lot of fun. Eventually, one of my friends (Cara) and I got bored and decided to go running out onto the street in out bathing suits (keep in mind that it is still below freezing). We did that a couple of times and provided amusement to all the people walking home from work. Come to think of it, that may be one of the reasons I am sick. Hmmm..... Oh well, too late now.
Next time, we are going to do a full night of it, I think. Smuggle in fondue and champagne and then go out for sushi after. Should be fun.
On another note, I have officially been here two months as of today. Which means I only have a month and a half left. Doesn't feel that long. Am considering staying part of the summer. I love it too much here to leave. Go Russia!
Anyways, that is all for now. Hopefully will get to feeling better soon and will have more stories. Loves to all!
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Hey love! Eat lots of garlic! Have you been wearing your hat? You know, you can run around in the freezing weather in a bathing suit as much as you like...but God FORBID you ever walk outside without a warm hat on...That's how you get sick in this country, and every woman aged 50+ will tell you so.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't been to a banya yet, I want to go. Sounds great (although maybe not the being flogged with birch thing).... Some kids I know in the Bard Program went swimming in the Neva last weekend :-O GASP!
Miss you, get better, <3
Bimini! Miss you too. Just had a super sucky day. Should be heading to St. Pete right now. blech. just want to go hide under the covers. Screw this language and this country. It's just been one of those days and it is bound to get worse. ugh...
ReplyDeleteHannah!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I hope you are getting better as we speak. Also, as always, great job keeping up with your blog. It sounds like you are seeing so much, getting to do a ton of exploring, and, until recently, really liking it over there. I am so glad. When I talked to Mr. Rice last week about you being there, he said some really nice things about you and about your strength in studying abroad there.
No doubt there will be days when you want to hide under the covers and commiserate about all of the things that are different in Russia/ don't make sense/ you can't stand. But try to think about the reality of what you're doing. You're studying abroad in Russia! And you're living there - which means that you've been dumped into a country with its own culture, norms, and rationales for doing things that you are trying to get accustomed to with the added challenge of a language barrier. But try to enjoy each day you're there because soon you'll be back and then this opportunity will be over. I definitely had times when I was just ready to come back from Spain or when things bothered me about the way they spoke or did things, but, really, how cool was it to get to spend a whole semester in college there? (Maybe I'm giving you this pep-talk for nothing, so I'll cut it short). :0) Anyway, if you don't need the encouragement now, maybe you will at some point.
Love you chica and hope that you get better soon.
Hannah, you're human?!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I'm sorry, having sucky days in Russia are the worst-a sucky day in Russia is magnified by about a million, reaching all new levels of suckiness. But I must admit it's a bit of a relief to know that Russia can get to you too.... Everytime I read your blogs I felt put to shame seeing all your energy and enthusiasm, when I was hating awful people and awful weather.
Hopefully by now you're feeling better. I'm sorry you had a super sucky day. For what it's worth, I'm sick again too (argh! I'M BEING SO HEALTHY AND SO CAREFUL! WHO KEEPS INFECTING ME??!!!). And I saw Jason today briefly, and although it would be amazing to see you this week too, he brought the crappy weather back with him. Last weekend we had gorgeous sunny days, almost all the snow was gone...and the day Jason arrives it's snowing and raining and miserable. I want you to visit St Pete when it's prettyful, so hopefully you can come visit in a few weeks. My throat is killing me, and it sucks cos I want to go meet Jason tonight but I don't know if I will.
Believe me love, I'm enjoying Russia...but it took me almost 2months to really get to that point. You've been loving it the whole time it seems, so I think you're allowed to complain for a few days. Now I'm loving it here, but the other day a friend IM'd me and was like "tell me somehitng good about Russians"....and it was hard to think of something to say that she would understand. Next time you have a sucky day text me, I'll call you and we can bitch about Russia together. :)
I LOVE YOU! Feel better love. Just lie in bed and read or watch a movie on your laptop, or something like that. RECOVER!
<3