Всё нормально

So this morning I learned how to take a bath using a bucket of water. It happens every year in Russia--most homes receive hot water from a central location, and every summer for two weeks the central location shuts down, presumably for cleaning. It actually wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. When Sveta (host mother) told me two days ago that it was going to happen, I half-jokingly suggested that it was a Russian tradition (and Russians, like anyone else, love Tradition). But she, quite serious, explained that it is simply a part of life. That's all it is. Like all of the bureaucracy here, one learns to simply accept it as a part of life.

Anyway, in about half an hour I'm going with my class to Петропавловская Крепость (Petropavlovskaya Krepost' -- Peter and Paul's Fortress), and it should be very interesting.

I remember that when I posted that entry yesterday, it really wasn't finished. The problem with blogging is that I always have vastly more pictures to post and thoughts to share than I have time for. There's still a lot I want to say about Israel and the Birthright program in general, my responses to criticism of the program, and my new opinions on related issues. In addition, there's a lot to say about Russia, but I'll still be here for almost eight weeks.

A quick word about prices of things in Russia. Most things are cheaper than in the US. For example, roughly converted to dollars:
Metro fare: 66¢
2L water bottle: $1
Kit Kat bar (better than in the US, because it's made with real sugar): 85¢
The Sims 3 (Russian/English combined version): $5.50 (I know, I don't understand it)
Small writing notebook: 66¢
Large flask with a Soviet insignia: $1.50
Book of 16 different postcards: $1.70
Brand new music CD: ~$5.50

The ruble is currently exchanging at about 30 to a dollar. This morning while walking to class, I found a couple of 1 kopek coins--each one is equivalent to about 1/3000 of one dollar. Классно. American stuff (clothes, electronics) is roughly the same or even a bit more expensive as in America. More on money later.

Also, soon I hope to have an interactive map on Google to show where I've been and where I'm going. Maybe within a week.

There are some really interesting concerts coming here, actually: DDT [ДДТ], Manu Chao, Madonna, and more. Apparently Duran Duran and the Pet Shop Boys were just here. I'd love to see DDT or Manu Chao, but I'm not sure I want to spend the minimum ~$40 (I looked it up).


There is definitely a lot of homework, but the people here are really nice. I've already started getting to know some классные Russians, and I've been invited to a birthday party tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it! The other students are also great, and my professor for the language class is especially good.

Even with the difficulties and inconveniences of living here, thinking about what I left behind, and wondering about the future, there's no question that I'm doing something amazing, that being here is a great experience. Even after only three days, I can already tell that my Russian has improved significantly.

I've started thinking about what living in Japan next year is going to be like, now that I'm building a basis of experience for comparison. Even yesterday I would have said I wasn't worried, but I've started to wonder. Maybe it's part of my nature to shy away from connections in some ways, but really, I need connections just as everyone else does. A man needs something to keep him human--you see it all the time, with prisoners, soldiers, dorm rooms, and bumper stickers, something that displays your individual experience. For me, Saint-Petersburg is so new still that I haven't really begun to appreciate its individuality. I suppose love is the same way. One has to learn to appreciate individuality in himself, and likewise also in another.

It's a great adventure. It's hard, but I wouldn't give it up for anything. Just like I'd recommend Birthright and any other kind of travel for yourself--it's good experience. (I'll address specific issues about Birthright later on.) Traveling is hard, but I think it's worth it. What do you have to lose? That, of course, depends on what you give up to do it. Perhaps the farther out you step, the more you risk--the more you stand to gain and to learn? I couldn't say. More and more in recent weeks and months, I have been coming to realize that life is all about individual experience: all people have their own. I'm learning a ton about myself, about life, and about the world. No one can say their own experience is better than someone else's--it's entirely individual, and people are different. For one thing, that takes getting used to, and maybe that's one thing I've gone abroad to learn.