solo explorations!

Hi everyone!

Today was the second time I have gone out completely by myself, and what an adventure it was!

Got lost or as I like to call it "Geographically confused", only fell over once, spoke in Russian and was understood, cried once and was flirted with on the train... it was going well until he spoke to me.

The first time I went out on my own was last week, I had to catch two buses to get to the RIO shopping centre. Minimal dramas+new friend + new shoes + confidence to do it again!

I would have to say the only part of going to RIO that was bad, was when I was at the second bus stop. It is super busy, buses just pull up anywhere and there are about twenty of them in a 200m stretch of street. I was told that there is a free bus from the metro to the shopping centre. I tried to ask a few people which bus it was (as they all said РИО, mostly advertising) and people just turned away like I wasn't there. It was the most bizarre feeling. People couldn't understand me so they just looked away.... However I now know the word for "where" and "bus" and I also now know which bus to take, no thanks to anyone at the bus stop!

Today's trip was so much more exciting. I just had a great day exploring the city. I didn't set off as early as I had hoped but that was ok, I was talking with Lidmeela our cook. She is the most lovely person I have meet here. She is my very own adopted Babushka! I have asked her to teach me to cook some Russian foods.

I walked down to the bus stop and headed to the Metro. The Metro system is a little challenging, but I only got geographically confused six times, which I think is a brilliant first attempt. I didn't have a plan of where I wanted to go, I just wanted to go! I got of the train near Red square, I could have easily walked to the Kremlin from the station, but decided to head in the opposite direction. I didn't find anything particularly amazing to tell you about. I find the whole city amazing. Tunnels under the road for pedestrians have little shops, buskers and beggars in most of them. All the building's have intricate details on them, colours everywhere. Music plays in most streets in the city. I was listening to nice Russian music, then all of a sudden Brittany Spears did it again!

After some lunch in a really nice little cafe, that had pictures on the menu to assist in the decision making process, for those of us who don't know what all the words say, I had "открытый пирог курица".

I continued my walk and bumped into a marching band that was the head of some sort of parade/protest. I have no idea what it was about but it involved a lot of people dressed up in some very odd costumes. Don't worry I'll be posting photo's!

I noticed that I was sort of walking alongside red square, but quite far away. So I took some back streets and headed in the general direction of the palace. Once I had eventually emerged I found myself at the zoo! I found the tunnel to cross the road, bought my ticket (speaking only in Russian!) and headed in.

I tried to go in with an open mind, reminding myself that Australian zoo standards are different to Russia, it's a different country and they don't view animals like we do.

This was all fine, until enclosure number one.

Four lamas, enclosure about the size of a standard Aussie backyard, and dirty snow all through it. They are starting to shed there winter coats so most of the animals looked pretty shabby. After seeing the monkeys, racoons and hundreds of ducks sitting on a frozen pond I got to the Polar bear. My very first polar bear... it was here that I burst into tears! It truly is the saddest thing I have ever seen. He was so bored! The poor thing just walked backwards and forwards, the exact same path, he has worn down the ice. He took 14 steps, turned around walked back to the dirty water, put his paws on the edge, turned around again.

I was slightly aware of the crowds of people admiring the polar bear noticing the crazy Australian woman crying about the polar bear, so pulled myself together and walked away. I'm sad to say that the enclosures didn't get any better. The Baboon looked like it would kill someone if it was on the other side of the glass... I'm pretty sure the Orangutang's where crying and the Deer kept head butting the fence.

I whirled through that zoo faster then anyone who has ever been to a zoo, it was just too sad. Oddly a lot of the enclosures are designed to allow people to touch the animals, I was sitting on a bench when suddenly a horse was nibbling on my coat, further away people where patting a camel. Also people throw there food into the enclosures. So the animals are fat, eating food they shouldn't with no where to exercise. Although I would have to say the elephants where having fun. When I was there two female elephants and a baby elephant where playing under I giant shower, it was adorable. The male elephant was locked away and his mate would walk over and spray water on him. They are so lovely.

The zoo was certainly an experience I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

From there I went back to the Metro, eventually found my way back to the station I started at and caught the bus to RIO. Shopped for a bit then decided to catch the two buses home again.

I strolled home in the dark, feeling oddly safe in my now familiar new home. Gorgeous street lamps, stunning homes, security guards never far away, less ice to slip on now...

I was feeling home sick this week, but after today it has seemed to subside a little. I know I mainly talked about the zoo, which would probably make you think "so why isn't she home sick anymore?" But it was everything else. I'm speaking to people a bit easier, don't get me wrong most of my day is still spent playing charades, but not for things like buying tickets, greeting people and asking there name. I bought a phone today and didn't need my phrase book at all! Feeling more confident to get around and not get completely lost, I always have a bit of an idea of where I am. Reading signs and almost pronouncing words correctly is very satisfying! Just getting to know Russia a bit more is making life so much easier.

Well next weekend is Easter or paskha as it is said here, so I hope you all have a nice holiday with your families. This is my first Holiday without mine... I'm also missing out on chocolate eggs over here too, I had no idea some countries actually decorate real eggs for Easter, and that's it. Where are the chocolate bunnies people!?

I will post more photo's after my Russian Easter!

I miss you all, and I hope everyone is well.

Dasvidanya : )

Red Square

Hello all!

Last Saturday I was taken to Red Square for the first time, and all I can say is, Amazing!!
It was a gorgeous spring day, blue skies, 3degrees and I was just so excited.
We found a parking spot (you don't have to pay for parking in Moscow), and the first thing I saw was stray dogs. They are literally everywhere, and they can be quite dangerous. In the distance I could see the Kremlin wall and the top of Saint Basil's cathedral.
I was given my guided tour and charades styled history lesson. Luckily I had read up on most the buildings and could guess what was being pointed out to me. Although watching Svetlana acting out Mavzoley Lenina dying and being mummified in the museum is a sight I will never forget! So funny!

I uploaded photo's onto my facebook so feel free to have a sticky beak if you haven't already:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=590468080&aid=160799&s=0&hash=b4c54d480f9a6edd55ec2cfd532fdc2a
I had a fantastic time, and saw so much! I was lucky enough to watch the changing of the guards at the world war two memorial (which for the life of me I can not remember it's Russian name!), the buildings are all magnificent, and I got to speak English to some tourists. We had pizza for lunch, and had a look inside GUM (Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazin, which translates to State department store). It was built in the 19th century and wasn't always the amazing place it is now. In soviet times it would have been full of long queues and empty shelves. However now its been transformed and is full of cafes and boutiques like Louis Vuitton.

It is very easy to get lost in Moscow, think about a shopping centre as big as most the westfield shopping centres in Brisbane then times that size by about three and that's what its like above ground. But then to cross the road you go underground through another shopping centre that is about twice as big as Chermside, maybe bigger! There's loads of people, and since I keep saying "Izvenitchi" (excuse me/sorry) to everyone I bump into I tend to get moved along with the crowd... in the wrong direction. Next time I will try to be more Russian and just push people out of the way and not say anything. Ok, that's probably not going to happen.
I could go on and on about how amazing and different the city is, but I won't you will just have to come see for yourself! It is well worth it!
Although I should mention that while I am having a fantastic time, and loving every minute of Russia. I am certainly very aware that I am living the wealthy life here. It is impossible to escape the poverty in this city. The apartment buildings that most people live in are atrocious, they are dirty, and look cold and very unwelcoming. There is a huge line between rich and poor, very few in between. People simply ignore beggar's and homeless people like they aren't even there. We walked past three homeless women in red square, and I was shocked at peoples reactions to them, or should I say lack there off! It was shockingly sad. These women where in there 60's kneeling on the freezing cold ground quietly crying and praying. One lady had a piece of rubbish in front of her for money donations. Other people try to sell flowers (amongst other things) to cars waiting at traffic lights, and again everyone in their cars just looked straight ahead like there was no one there. At least in Australia people would shake there heads and say "no, thanks" I think that would be better then acting like the person didn't exist.
On Sunday we did our normal grocery shopping, which I love doing! I get to practice my Russian, because absolutely no one speaks English there, not that I have found anyway. My Russian is still very bad, but I'm getting a bigger vocabulary, so that's something.
Then on Monday, Nelli came with me to the hair dresses, getting your standard cut and colour can be difficult when you don't know how to say it. Admittedly I was a little nervous when I saw my hair dresser, she was gorgeous but had her hair up in a scrunchy, which was a concern! However she did a fantastic job and I now have a favourite Russian hair dresser! Her name is Navatolie.... or something like that. She could speak a little English, and helped me with my flash cards and phrase book.
Nelli and I had a bit of time before Billy finished school so we went shopping! It was fabulous.
Oh I forgot to mention that Monday was -18degrees! Compared to our lovely spring day on Saturday, I absolutely froze! It is really strange weather, one minute it is blue skies, the next it is snowing heavier then I have ever seen, then its just cloudy and freezing with a bit of blue sky before sunset. It's crazy!

Overal I would have to say I have had a fantastic week. The kids are great, we are all getting along really well now. I can make Grace smile all the time (which I love!) she is so cheeky as well, and always doing mischievous things, oddly enough her first english word was "no". Billy is always full of beans, and if I ever say something he is unsure of, he just answers yes, for example:

S: How was school today, what did you do?

B: We went on TWO walks!! (he tells me this everyday, just as excited as the first time he told me)

S: TWO walks! thats great, what else did you do?

B: Yes!

S: Billy, did you read some books, or paint a picture, what did you do with Miss Dasha?

B: Yes! And I have two biscuits! (we have this conversation while eating afternoon tea.)

This is our standard conversation in the afternoon.... I'm working on him understanding more, but its hard to ask him if he understands because he answers yes to everything anyway. However at the moment talking with billy is very entertaining. He is just so sweet. Nelli said that he told her, in Russian, that he is glad I wait for him to come home from school, and he asks about me in the car everyday. It really nice, it's certainly making me feel a part of the family.

Tomorrow is my day off again but I'm not sure what I will be doing, another Moscow adventure I'm sure!
Sorry if this blog entry doesn't flow very well, I have been writing it over two days adding more whenever I had a spare few minutes.
So until next week,
baka!

The hazards of spring!

Hello all,

I'm hoping no one is still having trouble opening my blog, let me know if you are.

Well March has brought spring to Russia, and it's a dangerous season! Not only will the bears be waking up soon, the snow is turning to slush, there are random avalanches of snow from roof tops and other buildings and don't forget the rather pointy icicles that crash to the ground. The icicles that don't fall off, melt onto the footpath, making yet another hazard. Slipping onto concrete covered in dirty snow!
Despite all of this, it still doesn't take away from the sheer beauty of this country, its simply breath taking.
Even though the sun is out more and more during the day, its still below zero most days and it still snows a fair bit.

Last Saturday Nelli, her mum, Billy and I headed out for the day. It was mine and Billy's first time on the Metro, which was very loud and crowded. It felt like the trains here go a bit faster then the ones back home, and the doors don't wait for anyone, if they start to close do not try to get through, they wont re-open, they will just cause serious damage!
We were heading out to go to the Picasso exhibition which has opened at the Pushkin state museum, however the line up was literally around the block so we settled for the Glazunov art gallery across the road. (http://www.glazunov.ru/EN/Ilustracii_gl.htm)
I had a look at the website and it doesn't show my favourite paintings, which is a shame. Most of his paintings are very political, and show Russia's history. There are a few religious paintings as well. On the third floor of the gallery we had a look in a section where the artist is unknown, it had thousand year old furniture and some lovely statues. Plus I figured out why the artist remained unknown. Absolutely brilliant paintings but very controversial!

We had a bite to eat, Nelli pointed out some near by cathedrals and we headed back down to the metro to be met on the train by at least 200 young police men. The train was extremely crowded, however I didn't mind as I got to check out cute Russian guys in uniform!

Monday the 8th was "women's day" which was fabulous! I got chocolates and flowers, just for being a woman. Our household is mainly women so we where truly in the spirit of things. Lots of food, Vodka (and Tequila!), visitors, more flowers and even more food. It was a really great day, and I'm so glad I was here for it.

Tuesday was Billy's first day back at school, it has been school holidays since I arrived. So he was super excited, and his English is really, very good.

I'm certainly very settled in now, and am feeling a part of the family.... but I'm a family member who doesn't know what anyone is saying, which is hard.

I'm missing home, especially Gordon Manor and my boys!
But almost a month in Russia, and it has flown by so fast! May will be here in no time!
I hope everyone is well in Australia, and my thoughts are with all my friends who have lost some one close to them recently.

Until next time, Dasvidanya.

Problems?

Hi everyone,

Two people have told me they are having issues when they try to open my blog, has this happened to any one else?
Just let me know and i'll try to fix it.... well I'll get the Blog people to fix it!

I will update again soon, I have a few adventures to share!

Oh the joys of being a nanny!

I had the most fantastic day!
I'm so glad I came to Russia!

I absolutely adore grace and Billy, despite them being rather difficult at first, Grace didn't stop smiling at me all day! She has little dimples on her cheeks, it the cutest thing!
And Billy, hugs me all the time and has a big smile on his face and says "c'mon lets go play!"
There just adorable!

I also have made a new friend! We are meeting up on Saturday to do girly things, like shop and speak english!

It turns out the cleaner is trying to learn english, she said "good morning Sara, how are you?" to me this morning and I was a bit surprised at first, and then started rambling on that I didn't know she could speak english blah blah blah, but as I kept talking she just looked more and more confused. So I assume that's the only phrase she has learnt so far. Later this afternoon she called Grace a goat.... not sure what that was about.

Today's menu was also really nice, I had this omelette type thing for lunch and chicken soup.
Instead of using Tomatoes here they use red capsicum a lot, which is such a better alternative! I found out its because the tomatoes in Russia stay green, they don't turn red.

While I know not everyone is interested, the following is an important issue affecting my life. I would like to highly rate Huggies! They are, in my professional opinion the best nappies in the world! Admittedly I haven't completed my travels yet, but they are the best in Australia and sooo much better then "pampers" which is the leading nappy brand in Russia, they suck. After the messes I've had to clean up I feel like I should complain to the company, or that there should be a section in your resume to rate how great you are at changing nappies.

Well I am off to continue my studies of the Russian language. I keep getting the words "delicious" and "cat" mixed up, so I still have some work to do!

I hope everyone is fine at home, I'm missing you all lots!

P.S Once I get over my technological disabilities I will post photos up of the house and show you all where I am living.

Pro's and Con's

Allo!

As I had a fantastic day with the kids today, I thought I might make I quick pro's and con's list, for me to refer to when I have a bad day. Also, I'm anticipating home sickness to hit me some time this month, so a List of Pro's will never go astray...

Pro's:
~I'm seeing the world, a new culture and sort of learning a new language.
~The people I am living with have been nothing but kind and generous to me.
~When would I ever get to live in the snow if I wasn't here?
~Billy is good fun, and is like having my own pet parrot.
~Grace is certainly one of a kind, I will never meet another human being under the age of seven that can consume as much as she can!
~Every day is a challenge, I'm learning so much about myself.... like I'm pretty good at acting out "where is the cheese?".
~I love my job, and this is why!

Con's
~Grace never smiles, and its very depressing.
~Billy hits when he gets excited.
~While I know having new food is all part of the new country experience, I would just love to find a food I really like.
~It's freezing and there is no sun.
~I can't have a conversation with anyone, which is really difficult because as you all know, I really love to talk.

The pro's list definitely wins. I did have a really big list written out, but just picked a few points for my blog, I tend to drag these things on a bit!

Well I will be photographer Sara tomorrow and will update pics as soon as I can, fingers crossed the sun will be out tomorrow!
Today was by far the coldest day I have endured, the wind felt like it was from a glacier!

Before I go, I do have a funny story from today. We headed out to get groceries and I went to the chemist to try and get something for my cold. I was hoping that the pharmacist would be able to speak english, but she didn't. So I was acting out my symptoms, such as sneezing, pretending to blow my nose, coughing ect pointing at drugs behind the counter. Meanwhile about five or six other people had lined up behind me and everyone was watching the crazy lady who can't speak russian.
I ended up walking out with nasal spray, which I already had at home. However I did get a few smiles from my spectators : )

Another day in Russia!