To market, to market to buy a.....matryoshka doll?

Time for another update folks!

Firstly it's been great catching up with a few different people this week, I'm glad everyone is enjoying my blog!

I was standing in the kitchen yesterday, trying to understand what Ludmiulla was telling me and I just sort of nodded and said "da" (which is "yes" for those of you who don't know), which made me laugh. I remember writing here a few weeks ago that Billy just says "yes" to whatever I say to him when he doesn't understand me. I have the same coping mechanisms as a three year old!

While we are on the topic of language I would like to point out, that Russian is a very difficult language to learn! My goal of being able to have a conversation with a Russian, in Russian seems to get harder to achieve every day. Oh well practice, practice, practice!

On the weekend I decided I would go to the Izmailovskiy markets that some one had recommended to me. Well worth the two hours it took for me to find the place! You have to pay a small fee to get in, then it is stall after stall of Russian souvenirs. However the second stall on your left when you walk in, is a lovely man, who can speak English, selling DVDs that all play in English and are all brand new releases! I bought "The Blindside" which is a fantastic movie! I will definitely be heading back there before I come home.

I strolled around for hours, eaves dropping on the few English conversations I heard (which is a first!) and of course haggling with the locals. Most Russian people have been just so lovely towards me, I am in there country, my Russian is atrocious, and they just smile and laugh along with me at the difficulty of trying to communicate with each other. Not just at the markets but just about everywhere, people are so willing to help me. I know that this isn't always the case for foreigners in Australia. The opinion of "go home, come back when you can speak English" is rather common. So from my perspective, as a person in Russia who can't speak Russian, the people here are welcoming and accepting, the few people that haven't been, are very few, maybe three?

As this was my first time haggling, I was super excited, and definitely paid more then what I could have, but I really don't mind. It was just such a great experience! I'm so glad I know my numbers!

I was wondering around in search of the loo's following Russian signs which I think some kids had played with and made the arrows point in the wrong direction. I eventually found the lady you have to pay to use the toilet, said thank you and headed in when she stopped me and pointed to the roll of toilet paper on her desk. I have never felt more self conscious in my life, all I was thinking was "how much toilet paper do I take, are there customs in Russia, why is she starring at me!? What if this is too much, or not enough!" I know this may seem trivial to you, but when you come to Russia and have an angry looking Russian lady staring you down while you take some toilet paper of her desk, tell me how you feel then.

After the bathroom experience, I found myself in a new section of the markets. The buildings were amazing, and such typical Russian design, just stunning. I was taking some happy snaps, when a security/military looking man came over to me and told me I couldn't take photo's, I was apologising and saying I didn't know when I suddenly realised the 100 no photography signs stuck up everywhere.... Oops!

The colours, sites and sounds of the markets are fantastic, you really feel like you aren't at home and that this is what travelling is all about.

The rest of my week has been lovely, it was Ludmiulla's birthday on Monday, yummy cake! Then Tuesday was Nelli's dad's birthday. We had a huge family dinner, with loads of yummy food and red wine. Plus some not so yummy cake. I also had my first taste of caviar. Now as most of you know, I am a very fussy eater, I knew the chances of me liking fish eggs was slim but I was slightly optimistic. I told myself that even if it wasn't nice to just politely say something like "oh, that's different!" instead what did I graciously say while all eyes were on me... "OH, oh that is awful!" I would have loved to have seen my face!

Well it's a rainy night here in Moscow and I'm ready for bed.

I hope you enjoyed!

Until next week

Dasvidanya!

Photos

Easter Morning, yummy food, compote and to the left we have my favourite Russian lady Lidmeala!

Like I said, I have no idea what this protest or parade thing is about?!?

This is my little piece of Russia, I love it.

Paskha

Hello everyone!

Happy Easter!

Before I write about Easter I wanted to mention the terrorist attacks.

I'm sure everyone knows most the facts. Two suicide bombers attacked the Metro during peak hour on Monday morning (29/3/10) killing 40 people and injuring dozens. Most people are saying these attacks are from people retaliating whats going on in the Caucasus, which I think is true. It's hard to know 100% facts as every news story is slightly different, with different statistics and different reports. There have been another two bombings since then. Not in Moscow though. One was to the south of Russia and yesterday a Cargo train was bombed in the North of Russia. People are warning that there will be more attacks in Moscow, so everyone is worried, but really, what can you do?

The Metro is the main form of transport, at any given time there are at least two million people below ground using the Metro system. They have increased security at all the stations. However I feel this is a complete waste of time, as all they do is stand around smoking. They don't stop anyone, check bags or ask people questions...they are just there.

Russia seems to be coping ok, although when I watch the news, I see women crying for there families and people leaving flowers at the train stations. It's very sad.

But I am being extra careful and won't use the Metro during peak hour.

On Saturday I headed into the city, and every single church was absolutely spilling over with people. I walked around for a while, I didn't really have a plan for where I wanted to go. I just get of the train at a different station each week, and walk until I find something.

I found a nice little church, that wasn't to crowded and thought I would have a look. The pictures on the walls where absolutely beautiful. Everyone was lighting candles and saying Russian prayers. Some people where crying, some where eating things from the little Easter stall they had set up inside and others where like me, and just having a bit of a sticky beak.

After the church I wondered into a little art gallery. It was only small so it wasn't long until I was back out wondering through the Moscow streets. I stopped of at my favourite cafe, and could almost order what I wanted with out any problems.

Flipping through my "Moscow Lonely Planet" book I stumbled across a small sentence recommending an Irish pub. Being suddenly overcome with the need to speak English fluently with someone I decided to head out in search of "Silvers".

I could see the top of the Kremlin, as always, and again headed in the direction of red square. I soon felt like I was walking in circles and decided to ask some one for help. When I bumped into two girls dressed as.... something, they looked ridiculous and were handing out pamphlets, they told me to follow them as they were going to red square. We managed a little conversation as they could speak some English. Soon they pointed me in the right direction.

Not long after leaving them my Dad rang me, so I was wondering around on the phone with my map trying to find where I was and where the Irish pub was. Dad was super impressed with my Russian skills, however if Dad could speak Russian I'm sure he would be shocked at just how badly I speak it!

After about two hours of walking and searching I finally found the Irish pub (and it turns out I had been past the street it is in several times.) I was so excited! I had something to eat, chips, tomato sauce and a toasted chicken thing, my idea of normal food! Then started speaking English, to the "locals". I found out lots of handy tips and also discovered that I am one of only 57 registered Aussie's in Russia. Probably not going to find anyone from home here!

I decided I would stay out and do a bit of socialising, but was a bit nervous about the taxi situation, as they have a very bad reputation and even the Russians are wary of them.

I caught the Metro back and once at Altofvero found the taxi rank. All the drivers where out of their cars chatting away when I walked up to them. Now I thought I could say my address perfectly, but apparently I can't. I ended up calling my security guards so the taxi driver could ask them where I live. I'm still not 100% sure what I said wrong. I think it was a mix up between Vershky Village or Vershky City.

After Saturdays adventure I was ready for bed! I was up early Sunday morning to skype my family, it was so great to see them all! Missing home a bit around Easter time!

After that I went out to have a huge breakfast with my Russian family. We had traditional Easter cakes, a special cheese/Kurds thing, compote (which is a drink we always have anyway) Baklava, even though its Turkish and not Russian and some little pastry things.

Oh and of course we had an abundance of painted eggs! In Russia you have to hold your egg and hit it against some one else's to see who has the strongest egg. It is apparently just a thing the kids usually do, but the adults were pretty excited, especially me, as I won!

Lunch is a bit of a non event as the food is out all day and you just help yourself when ever. Dinner was lovely with a few extra dishes, I didn't eat them though. They had red meat. However I did enjoy my glass, or four, of white wine. It was a very expensive bottle from France, and it was so good!

So despite the bombs and home sickness, another amazing week in Russia. The kids are doing so well. Billy is so funny, he often is on the other side of my bedroom door poking his fingers through the crack at the bottom until I notice. As soon as I touch his fingers he squeals, runs around in a circle opens my door and shouts "It was me!" Grace is really starting to talk now, she says more English words then Russian, but she understands more Russian then English.

So that's most of my news for this week!

I hope you enjoyed!

Until next time,

Dasvidanya!