Another Tuesday, another successful session of English for Russian Jews. The administrative office let me make 40 copies of poems (unheard of at the Ped. Institute) and even gave me a free calendar. Score! Besides, I’m growing quite fond of the attendees, especially the three old ladies who have come early for every class. Even the annoying guy wasn’t too annoying today. We talked about Barack’s victory, and then read some particularly topical Langston Hughes poems (he, too, sang America, you know). I was also very happy that the Israeli girls came, purely, I think, as a show of friendship, because they surely haven’t the energy or interest to study American poetry after a long workday. Incidentally, I invited them to go to the ballet, thinking that since it was non-verbal they would be able to enjoy it. But they earnestly responded that dance isn’t interesting to them. Well, it’s not particularly interesting to me either, but in a foreign country I’m down for whatever. Then again, I’m here by myself, and they have each other, which gives them the luxury of refusing invitations. Anyway, the nicest part was when I was cleaning up after class. The woman who runs the library where we meet told me how much she enjoys just listening to our classes. She said it always sounds very interesting and cheerful. Thanks lady!
Speaking of which, I’m trying to figure out my winter travel plans. We have basically the whole month of January free, starting around Christmas and ending a month later at the Fulbright conference in Moscow. In that time, I want to explore as much of this country, continent, world that I can. I’ve been talking to two other ETAs about traveling to Turkey with one, to Poland and Prague with the other. Just to make it harder to decide, my friend Nick will be in Israel until January 20. I’m tempted to go see him, but Israel is one of the three countries I’ve ever visited, so I think I should branch out. Also, I really want to get a genuine experience of New Year’s, the biggest holiday in Russia. The best way to do that seems to go with my friend Yulia to her hometown, Bashkoristan in Ufa. We’d ride the train, make merry and arrive early next year. Lauren and Olga, on the other hand, want me to come visit them in Petersburg for the holiday. But I just don’t know...I’m torn. To quote Arrested Development, “I feel like the prettiest girl at the dance.” I promise I’ll post my decisions as I make them. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions or advice for traveling around or from Russia, give ‘em here.
7 comments:
abbie, go to ft lauderdale, where the boys are
I vote for Prague, and then I can live vicariously through you.
When I was in Israel, me and two female friends were thinking of going to Turkey but my friend Daniel, who spent a semester living in Turkey, recommended that we not go because it is unsafe for women to walk around "unescorted." We went to Greece instead.
Abbie! Go to Piter! I'm thinking about going too! We could all travel together!
my two cents would be Prague with a side journey to Vienna. But Petersburg has to a major consideration. Stay out of Turkey. Too much uncertainty.
Whatever you decide, I want to come too. A girl can dream.
Love,
Rachel
PS - It was lovely reading All About Abbie beachside. You should try it.
i dunno if i should feel good that i got a possible visit shout out, or bad because it was your worst-case-scenario option. either way, it was my 15 minutes on abbichka
how far/difficult would my travel be from israel to meet you somewhere in russia? doesn't have to be new years.
your brother from another mother
another point for Piter: you can take a cheapo bus to Helsinki or one of the Baltic capitals and fly super cheap to the rest of Europe from there (easyjet and ryanair are the two companies that i'm thinking of, but I can ask the German girls for advice and keep you posted).
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