The End

Well, here it is. The LAST post documenting what was, without a doubt, the best experience of my life. I made a lot of friends who I love and cherish; learned a lot of things I never would have learned with my nose stuck in a book; and for the first time im my life, just let myself have fun and not stress about life, the universe, and everything. Hopefully, this won't be the end for good. If all goes well, I will be back in Moscow next year. So, without further adieu, here is the last day...

Well, here I am. Sitting in Moscow's Sheremetov airport, waiting for my flight home. It's been 3 ½ months, many fights just to get through the day with no disaster, many awesome friends, and countless bottles of vodka and beer later (just kidding on the alcohol, mom – it's not like I am writing this from the airport bar with my freaking LAST bottle of Baltika 7 or anything). It has been, without a doubt, the best 3 ½ months of my life. I know it is very cliché, but I have changed a lot. I think its for the better, some may say the worst. I guess we will see...

I don't know. I can't really think right now. I just finished my last Russian all-nighter (for now). It was a blast. I started off with one last hurrah at Scans with Joe, Brian, and Natasha. We said our goodbyes (or see you laters), drank some vodka (I blame dad, or Joe, take your pick), and compared ipod playlists. After that, I headed out to meet friends at Arbat. Of course, as this is Russia (and not just Russia, but my very last night in Russia), nothing went right. There were changes of plans, people who didn't show up that should've, people that showed up that really should NOT have, and, of course the fact that the entirety of Arbat was closed.
Because THAT happens ALL the time. But, hey, we haven't been in Moscow for many months without learning how to be resourceful. So, we headed off in the general direction of Red Square, stopped along the way for some midnight blini, and found this really cool bar right off Tverskaya. We got a private room just off the dance floor, danced, drank, took loads of pictures, and just hung out. We finally left as it was getting light, only to walk outside and see an absolutely beautiful sunrise.

We walked to the Red Square with the sun rising behind the Kremlin. Thus was my last sight of the Red Square. As far as last glimpses go, that wasn't all that bad. It was one of those perfect movie moments. We started out all walking together and slowly a couple of us fell back until it was just my closest group of friends. Then, they left, leaving just me and Susan, walking in the sunrise to Red Square. Finally, Susan left, leaving just me standing on the steps, overlooking one of the best sights in all of Moscow, for the last time. I stand there and until a couple of them run back, laugh at me a bit, and we take off for the metro. It was such a complete movie moment I would have laughed if I wasn't trying so hard not to cry.

And I didn't. Cry that is. There were many more movie moments: from everyone falling asleep on each other in the metro, except for me, to locking the door to our little room for the last time, to mine and Susan's last breakfast together (eggs and the nutella blini I mastered all of this morning after everyone but Susan and I went to bed). It was close, hugging Susan goodbye just about did it, and saying goodbye to Joe at the airport as well, but I didn't cry. Why bother? I am here in the airport anyways. Tears are pretty useless as far as things go...

Normally, when I leave something, I can look back and be satisfied. Usually, it's time to move on and I can close the little box on that section of my life. I don't think that is going to be the case with Russia. I think, and I really, really hope, that this will not be my last time here. There is still so much I still haven't done. This can't be it. If I do come back, it will be different, I am sure. There may be no little, wooden room. There will definitely be no Susan, or Francesca, or Sarah. Nevertheless, I can't believe I am done here. We will see what happens. And until that time, I am going to go get another beer...