Russia- The Middle

It's Friday night, I'm at work and the two things left on my "to-do" list are laundry and start my Humanities essay....So instead I'm writing a blog. I know you've all been waiting anyway... ;)

Today, I'd like to make my story a little more interesting. Instead of posting a list of observances at the bottom like last time, it's YOUR turn to find these words below within the text. Then you can make your own observances :)

KEY WORDS:

-indifferent

-English

-classic

-pickled

-serious

-embrace

Soooo, the rest of my time in Moscow went by pretty fast, (don't worry, I come back!). We went to a nice dinner and spent the night with some friends and then in the morning we wandered around the grocery store for 20 minutes trying to get two indifferent people to decide what they wanted to eat on the train, packed and finally walked to the train station to head to Tolyatti, Dima's home town.

Though I wasn't quite looking forward to being on a train for 18 hours, it was actually quite exciting and went by very quickly. We shared a cabin with two other people who didn't speak English, so I actually felt pretty comfortable with my privacy! After a few hours of trying to learn some Russian, drinking crappy train coffee and staring at snow out of the window, we went to bed around 10 and I didn't wake up till 8:00! I guess that's what earplugs and an eye mask do.

Once I woke up, I was very awake and ready to get off the train. Fortunately, in a few more hours we arrive to Tolyatti! Dima's dad and his brother came to pick us up and after a short drive we arrived HOME. It was SO great to finally meet his parents (I met his brother this summer). I received the warmest welcome immediately fell in love with his family. It was New Years eve already, so the festivities began soon after I arrived. Essentially, the New Year celebration in Russia is like our Christmas in the United States. Thus, classic movies and special programs are on TV, food is abundant and presents are exchanged! (I might add that I was spoiled by my man with some beautiful crystal earrings!) It was a great night as we got to shout "С новым годом" three times--once for his mom's home town, once for Tolyatti and once for Moscow. Unfortunately, we didn't stay up quite long enough to celebrate it in New York and Texas! Or maybe I should say "fortunately"....

The rest of my time in Tolyatti was truly relaxing and full of joyful celebration as we spent part of almost every day visiting the homes of different relatives. Each meal was several hours in the afternoon at a table full of fresh fruit and juices, homemade pickled vegetables, traditional salads and specially prepared meats. There were usually multiple toasts throughout the meal, which often made me blush as they celebrated the "amerikanka" in "Rossiya".

I feel very blessed to have been able to be in the company of such wonderful people. (At least, I think they are wonderful by what Dima told me they were saying...Maybe he just falsely translated everything to be nice ;) I really fell in love with the rich culture and traditions that the Russian people hold dearly. (One of my favorites: after your shower, everybody tells you "s lohkim parom!") I think a common preconception about Russians is that they are very serious people. It is true, but not in a somber sense, for laughter was always abundant. They are very earnest in the things that they do, sincere in what they say and loyal to their commitments, such as family.

I was really super to be surrounded by these people as they gave to me not just a place to stay, but a home and a new culture to embrace. And they even invited me back any time! Yay! :)

Love,

Marie