Russian Valentine

I really was going to try to send something through email, but it was all in Russian, and it would take forever to figure it out... so, I thought I'd put a few images here! I am told the translation of this one is "I like sweets, especially you!"

I do not see any particularly "Russian" valentines here, probably because it is a US Hallmark Holiday. Most of the paper cards I saw in the metro had kitty cats on them. I wanted to buy some, but never did.

Happy Valentine's Day!

My kitty Ginger

Here are some pictures of Ginger playing! I sure do miss my girls! But, looks like they are having fun!

Wednesday night

Not much exciting to report. I have been working alot. I found my favorite frozen dinner at the grocery near me. It is chicken and rice, but it has some curry and maybe cinnamon spices - with peas, corn, peppers and raisins in it. Glad to know there is something I can count on.

I am doing pretty well with the stove, although sometimes it is still a challenge to light. Good thing the buildings here are brick and not wood.

Well, Saturday is Valentine's day. Almost everyone I know here will be gone out of the country. I plan to try to visit Lenin's tomb. For those of you who don't know, Lenin's body has been preserved since 1978, and you can go see it. It is free admission, but you have to wait in line. Oh well, I have nothing better to do!

Here is a link to a site about it:
http://leninmausoleum.da.ru/

I tried to make an appointment at a spa, but told they were completely booked because it is "lovers' day."

We have a holiday coming upon February 22nd - Defender of the Fatherland Day (Men's Day). Should be very interesting. There is also "Women's Day" in March I believe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defender_of_the_Fatherland_Day
Men's Day falls on a Sunday, so we are off on Monday.

We plan to go to the banya Sunday evening.
http://www.sanduny.ru/en/index.php This should be a very interesting experience.

I hope everyone back home is doing well.

What I have learned so far - is just about anything is possible.

Das Vidanya.

Moscow Metro

I found this website a while ago. http://www.beeflowers.com/Metro/

This person has done an incredible job of capturing the metro, like I will never be able to do.... Remember, my station is Dobrininskaya.

Another really intersting and funny website. I love the writing style of these guys. This is a link to the "metro photos" section, but you could spend hours looking at all the stuff here.

http://englishrussia.com/?p=252

I tell you, I have laughed so much here....Just the little things - like, sometimes the water just goes off... this morning in my shower that happened. What to do? Well, a friend had suggested to fill up the empty 5 liter water bottles with tap water when I'm done with them for this specific purpose.. Luckily, the water came back on. I finshed, and dried off with the little kitchen towel I've been using for a week:) Things can be a bit challenging here, but I choose to laugh...

So, there is a restaurant near my metro called My My, which is pronounced Mu Mu (they are obsessed with cows over here. I believe it is the year of the cow in Chinese astrology). It is a buffet, and has a menu in English, you can point, and it is cheap. Well, last weekend when I was still starving, I decided to go. I had chicken noodle soup, chicken in mushroom sauce and potatoes, and it was like $6.

Here is a pic of the restaurant.

Well, later today on Arbat Street, there was another My My restaurant. Katie took my picture with the cow.

Here are some other pictures of Arbat Street.

Here is a Georgian restaurant I ate at my first week here.

Well, now I have hummus, pita bread, cheese and crackers and orange juice and towels. I think I've gotten the food part under control now, so I am feeling much better.

When my friend left tonight, he called me and told me the Cuban embassy is just to the north of me (an area I have not walked yet). I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

Goodnight!

Successful shopping

This was my first Saturday with nothing that I really HAD to do. I'm not starving anymore, and I have a place to live, so all is well.

Katie and I decided to go to McDonalds and go shopping for towels, sheets and food. We got two out of three... so I am happy!

I took some more pictures of the area around me. I am around several embassies - Argentinian and Jamaicain, I believe - and the Malyn Theater.

I live in the Zamoskvorechye District. Here is a link to an article about this area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamoskvorechye_District

This is the buliding across from me.

Here is the Malyn Theater

I love the parking here. I actually admire them for making it work.

I have to go meet someone for dinner now. I will post more later... I have some interesting pictures from today!

Shopping for meat

Ok, I have to say I have never seen this, and I did not take this picture. Katie took it this morning........

She says there are usually stray dogs hanging around.

No matter how hungry I get, I will never buy food like this!

On another note, I was so proud of myself last night! I lit my stove and made pasta. I took a picture of the flame, but my camera is at home.....

Pictures of my new apartment!

Here is my bedroom. I cannot figure out if the bed is a king or a queen. A friend from work has given me sheets till I can make it to Ikea next weekend.

Chandelier in my bedroom. Never had one of those before!

Living room to balcony view. The bottom half of the balcony is obstructed by some pvc particle board (which will be removed). I asked the landlady what the purpose for it was, and she said something about privacy..... I really don't think anyone can see in this high up.... But, they will also put curtains over these windows... which I believe I will open!

Another view of the living room. I sure have alot of storage space..

A view from my balcony.

I discovered today that I am near a theater. There seem to be lots of interesting cafes and restaurants.

More to come!!!