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!

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!