Fire.

Hello everyone!

Apparently our problems in Russia have made it to the news in Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jIdtuuqFpc&feature=fvhl

Summed up, it's bloody hot, the forests are burning and the smoke is unbearable.

There are almost 1000 fires burning. As far as I know 48 lives have been claimed.

The government is reporting that they have moved all rockets and Nuclear materials to a safer location... I dread to think about it. Words like "radiation," "explosion" and "nuclear security" all in the same sentence sends a shiver down my spine.

There is no sign that the fires are going to be ending anytime soon, so everyone here is hoping for summer to end and the snow to arrive. It's not looking good at the moment.

Some of the airports have had to ground flights temporarily, which is a concern as I'm meant to fly out in 10 days. Which I'm absolutely thrilled about. I'm heading to London to see Hannah, Hayley and Tiff. We are doing a two week Contiki tour, which will be fabulous!

I don't have a lot to report on, we have all been stuck inside due to the carbon monoxide poisoning our atmosphere. I have been helping Luida cook, and teaching her some more English. I am still unable to create dishes from home even semi successfully here. I can never find the right ingredients, and nothing ever works out. Thankfully Russians are use to eating bad food, and think everything I make is delicious. If they only knew!

Billy is on holidays still, so he is often in and out of my room looking for things to do. I have a treasure box that's full of all sort of goodies the kids like to play with and they love my ipod and my phone. Grace often picks up random objects, puts them to her ear and shouts "Ello!" then falls about laughing.

I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this or not but Grace doesn't call me Sara. Most of my babies I've looked after struggle with saying Sara, I've been called mum, mummy Sara and sair. But Grace flat out refuses to say my name. I ask her to and she says "ssssss Nanya!" Then cracks up laughing. All up she has said Sara twice, she can say it, she just won't. She says nanya with the biggest cheekiest grin, it's wildly frustrating but a delightful game we have now as well.

Nanya means nanny in Russian.

We have all been cooped up inside, thank goodness our house is so big. However yesterday I had to go into town, for a rather urgent matter, once I got home though I found out I never had to leave in the first place.

As soon as I stepped outside, I wanted to go back in. Visibility is shocking, and I had to walk to the bus stop. My eyes were stinging and my lungs were burning. It was awful, I would hate to be anywhere close to the flames.

I managed to stay inside most of the time, but I did have to walk around a fair bit. Plus the smoke has now entered all the shopping centres, down in the Metro is really bad you feel like you could suffocate.

At the grocery shop they were handing out surgical masks at the check outs. About a third of Moscow is wearing masks of some description.

Outside I had just finished telling an elderly man that I think what he was looking for was around the corner and apologising for my terrible Russian, when some one else started talking to me... honestly all I say when I'm out is "извините, я не говорю по-русский" (sorry, I don't speak Russian).

His name is Boraya, he is such a sweetie. He doesn't speak a word of English, I handed him my phrase book when I realised I couldn't just excuse myself out of talking to him. Russian's can be very determined. We had possibly the slowest conversation in history, while he was trying to help me out with finding the shop I needed. Mildly long story short, he is a total gentleman and gave me a rose. Making breathing in the toxic fumes and what turned out to be an unnecessary trip a rather nice experience.

I am undecided if being able to speak the same language with some one is totally necessary to be friends with them... basically I want some one to carry my shopping and give me flowers.

Oh well something to think about while I'm still stuck in the house.

That's all my news really.

I hope everyone is well at home, I'm missing everyone lots.

until next time,

Dasvidanya!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Hello everyone!

I thought I would deliver another update before I started getting fresh demands!

We are back into our same old routine, and fully recovered from our holiday. It's incredible how exhausting holidays can be.

Billy is on summer school holidays, so both kids at home all day everyday is creating a very noisy household. The average temperature here during the day at the moment is in the high 30's usually around 36 though. It's very warm! It's strange to think of Russia as being hot. I always associated it with snow, and minus 30 temps, without much thought to summer.

It has been a bit of a slow week really. Although Saturday night's adventure was quite exciting and loads of fun!

I was going to go to the circus, but thought dressing up and dancing the night away would be much more fun (and cheaper). I arranged to meet a few new Russian people at a club called "Club Che" which is yet another salsa club. I exchanged numbers with a few people and jumped on the bus to head to the train station.

Whilst sitting on the bus I realised my phone was not working, I'd forgotten to look at the map to see exactly where the club was (I knew which Metro station, but that was all) and in an effort to get my phone working again I turned my phone off. I of course forgot that I need a pin to turn my phone back on. A pin I don't know.

So in a moment of brilliance I thought "Oh well, instead of going home I'll just buy a new Sim card." After purchasing the new Sim card, in very bad Russian and very bad reciprocated English, it was only then that I realised I don't have access to anyone else's numbers, and no one knows my new number.

Sometimes I am truly concerned about the lack of thought that goes into some of the things I do.

I set off into the city anyway, not too disheartened by the events that had already unfolded.

I made it to Lubyanka metro station and was heading out of the exit when I heard some girls knocking on the glass booth of the sleeping security guard saying "umm excuse me, do you speak English......?" I turned around and exclaimed "I speak English!" And that is how I met my first Australians in Russia.

I was so excited, if we weren't on an unstable escalator I would have hugged them! The girls, Angela and Ashley (Such normal names!) where heading to a club called Propaganda. I showed them the way and discovered that they were on a tour, with more Australians. Everyone on the tour said that they were a bit over meeting Australians everywhere they go, but I was by far the most enthusiastic one they had met thus far. It was fabulous, I hang out with them for a few hours, but they all eventually dwindled away because of their busy tour scheduled the next day.

I did try to get into club Che to meet up with my Russian friends, but wasn't allowed in (face control can be nasty!)

I decided my night was not over yet, there was bound to be more alcohol waiting in a bar for me somewhere. I walked to Karma bar, but didn't quite make it to the door, when I was stopped. A group of guys were walking out and told me that it wasn't worth going to, but they knew of another really good place. They didn't seem like serial killers so I tagged along with them for the walk to "Papa's". They turned out to be a great bunch of people, they even introduced me to another Aussie, who works at the embassy. We got to Papa's to find a Christmas in July party, complete with fake snow all through the club. It was brilliant fun. When I finally thought it must be getting late and time for me to head home, I stepped outside to be greeted by blazing sunshine, and rouble hungry taxi drivers.

Definitely one of the best Saturday nights I've had in Moscow!

Meeting so many genuinely lovely people last night and making some new friends has certainly lifted my cloud of homesickness that I seem to be under a lot lately.

So another week begins, my goodness where did July go?

I hope all is well at home,

I'm missing everyone lots!

I'm off to continue watching the large fireworks display that is quite literally, next door. Grace has slept through so far, although how exactly I'm not sure.

However until I have more to report on, this is all for now.

Dasvidanya!

Two weeks in Malta

Hello all!

We flew back into Moscow at 4:30am this morning. Not such a fabulous time for a flight with two children aged three and under!

Considering how tired they were though, they did pretty well. However I'm jumping ahead!

Friday the 2nd, the kids and I were getting ready for a walk to the park before having dinner when Baba Sveta comes flying down the stairs with a piece of paper and speaking to me very quickly in Russian. I looked at Billy for a translation but he looked more confused then I did. Upon inspection of the piece of paper it turned out we were flying to Malta Friday night not Saturday night.

I would like to think it was a controlled chaos that broke out in our household after that, but others may use different words. We fed the kids, packed their suitcases, packed our own and headed to the airport. The next morning we were eating breakfast in Malta.

The island of Malta is smaller then the city of Moscow, it is tiny! Despite it's small size, I loved it! It was so normal.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Moscow isn't normal... it's just not my kind of normal.

In Malta they drive on the left hand side, and they don't drive like maniacs.

They all speak English! It was fabulous.

I also found Vegemite and Tim Tams, really, what more needs to be said?

The other fantastic thing was the heat. While the rest of the tourists seemed to be melting, Billy and I were loving it.

The kids and I went swimming nearly everyday and our resort had a fantastic kids club. We hung out there for a few hours most days. Grace was more then happy reclining on a deck chair next to me, with her sun glasses on. Admittedly her sunnies occasionally ended up being chewed on as she is teething, but generally she looked the part of a glamorous girl.

Malta doesn't have sandy beaches, just big rocks. Not like pebbles, actual huge rocks. I'll post pictures on facebook tonight and put the link up.

We did the touristy things, like harbour tours. I found myself with Baba sveta and billy on a Russian tour through Mdina... I found an English tour going in the opposite direction and was tempted to tag along with them but it was more fun oohing and ahhing with the Russian's, and pretending I knew what was going on.

The first week went by and week two began with a house call from a doctor for Billy who had a temperature of 40 and a stomach bug. He was sick for two days and despite my best efforts Grace got sick for two days as well. And what kind of nanny would I be if I didn't get it too?

So for the last two days in Malta I was either in bed or hugging the toilet bowl.

Despite our tummy bug, we had a great time.

The best night was the night of the world cup final. All of Malta was cheering for Spain. After dinner Billy and I headed out onto the streets to join the crowd. We wandered through the packed streets found a spot to see the big screen and cheered along with everyone else. For a three year old, that boy knows how to party! He clapped and yelled "Go Spain GO!" for a good hour.

As we all know though, all good things must come to an end. We headed to the airport with our sleepy, cranky baby and hyper billy. I decided to take Billy for a walk through the airport to use up some of his energy. We ended up playing "security guards" in a book store, using books as phones. Unfortunately the book shelves where only chest height, so everyone could see me talking into my "phone" and no one could see Billy!

As we were taking off, out of our window we could see a huge fireworks display which made for quite a send off. We finally settled down and were almost asleep just to be woken up again and given the most dreadful aeroplane food ever. If you ever fly Air Malta, take your own food!

So now we are home again, and will be back to our normal routine tomorrow.

I was excited to be coming back to Moscow, but was disappointed not to have that "yay I'm home" feeling. I guess I will only feel that when I land in Australia again.

I really loved Malta, but there was one thing not quite right with it, it wasn't quite paradise. It was bugging me that I couldn't figure out what it was that was letting Malta down. Once we got back here I realised straight away. Malta isn't green enough. There aren't enough trees! That is the sole thing I can fault Malta for.

Well I have washing and unpacking to do, and I must search for that packet of Tim Tams that I bought....

So until next time,

Dasvidanya!

Summer in Moscow.

Hello all!

Sorry for the delay in updating my blog. I have been super busy! However due to popular demand and some pushy emails I have found some time to fill you in.

I will leave out my whirl wind experience of coming home and my visa problems and just get straight back to Moscow.

I flew with Thai airways this time and their chairs are a bit more comfortable than emirates, which was nice but I still didn't sleep. I was a delirious mess when I got back. I finally made it through passport control, found my bags and was greeted by Urha, one of our security guards. It took an hour in the car to get home. Moscow seems to be in a constant state of peak hour traffic with all sorts of crazy drivers.

It was a miserable cloudy day, like the very first day I flew into Moscow. The only difference was that everything is so super green. It is amazing how green it is! Russians really know how to make the most of summer too. There are flowers absolutely everywhere it is just beautiful. All the cafes have set up tables outside, on every corner there are people selling flowers and fruit, I even saw someone selling little turtles. I was so very tempted to buy one!

The kids where so excited to see me, which was great. It would have been dreadful if I'd flown all that way to be greeted with shyness or worse, tears! Billy ran and jumped into a big bear like hug and Grace was quick to follow. They filled me in on all their news, we read some books and by then I was just about exhausted. I fell into bed, just to have to get up again to put a blanket over the curtains because it wasn't dark yet, at 10:30pm.

It was great to see Luidmiela again, oh how I missed her Kasha while I was away! The security guards seemed happy to see me too. Although it's a little difficult to pick up on their emotions. Except for Ivan, he smiles and is far to happy for someone who has a gun.

For those of you who are lucky enough to not have had to endure jet lag yet, it is substantially easier travelling back in time, as opposed to gaining time. I recovered almost the day after I was back in Moscow!

The second (or maybe it was the third) night I was back, I headed out to watch the socceroos in the world cup and made some new friends. I'm finding it so much easier to make friends now, I know where to find people who speak English, and I'm really learning my way around now. I haven't been geographically confused once since I have been back!

I headed into the city to see the fountains now that they have been turned on, it's very pretty, I really do enjoy walking around red square and the Kremlin. Absolutely fantastic people watching! I will post some photo's soon.

My social life has pretty much picked up where it left off, which is lovely. Although I am missing one good friend, who had to go back to Belgium. Last Saturday I went out with Anna and one of her friends, she couldn't speak English so poor Anna had to translate for us. We had dinner then went out salsa dancing! I really like salsa, but when I go to Spain, I'm just going to be reminded of Russia, which is a bit backwards, but anyway. We went to a new place called Pancho Villa, it was fabulous, cheap yummy margaritas, great live music and English menus. At one stage there was even a salsa conga line!

I am also pleased that the bus drivers remember me, and the taxi drivers! It is very strange that I am comforted by the fact these middle aged overweight men remember me and like talking to me. I think it's just nice to have people in the area I live in to say hello to, and it's nice to know the taxi drivers are always around the metro if I ever need help. None of them speak any English, yet I know all there names, and I know about there wives and children and they don't over charge me anymore!

Yesterday I went to the movies and watched the documentary "Babies". Please don't make fun of me for that, I am more then aware of how overly maternal I am. The movie lived up to all my expectations, it was really good. I recommend it to everyone. It follows the first year of four babies lives. One baby from America, one in Peru, one in Japan and the other is from Africa. It is fascinating.

After that I did a much more age appropriate activity and went out for dinner and had drinks at an Irish pub.

Next Saturday, I will be boarding a plane to Malta (a tiny island in the Mediterranean). The kids have never been to the beach before, so we are spending two weeks there. I am so unbelievably excited!!

So my next blog update will be after our trip, unless I can pull myself away from the deck chairs to fill you in on my hectic working day.

I hope everyone is fine at home, there are so many people I didn't get to see. I think I will be home again in September, which is really just around the corner. So I'm sure I will get time to catch up with everyone then!

Until next time,

Dasvidanya!

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!