I have been back in the United States for over a month now and I haven't given "Journey to St. Petersburg" the conclusion it deserves. So, without further ado...
Goodbye Russia.
I had a blast while I was there. The housing situation was dreadful and my host mom didn't understand what not being able to eat something meant, but overall, it was a fantastic experience.
When I came back, I showed my family and friends many of the pictures from my trip and was able to tell them all about it. I don't like speaking (I barely felt happy keeping up this blog at the end), so I told my grandmother that it was her responsibility to lead the even along by asking questions. That is how I am going to present this to you.
What was the weather like?
Cold. Really cold. Nothing can fully describe just how cold it was I felt there. You just have to go and experience it for yourself. ...And I didn't even stay for the worst part of the winter....
How was the food?
It was good. There were, of course, foods I couldn't eat. Tvorog made me really sick. Cucumbers were finally granted to me at the end of my stay. Georgian and Azerbaijani food was really delicious. Schaste really was the "home of happiness".... Food is good.
How was the culture?
Russia is definitely a male dominated society. As displayed by the male companion Hot Stuff and I hated so much, men can get away with almost anything and it is treated as a normal thing. Come home drunk? Normal. Want to purchase semi-automatic weapons? Normal. Sexually harass and threaten women? Normal.
Now, I would like to point out that it was only the older generation who treated things as though it were nothing. The younger generation hated that all of this was happening, but they weren't the ones who could do anything about it.
How was school?
School was interesting. It was open note/open friend for tests, our papers were in English, our teachers talked to us in English at times... Overall, the classes were really easy. It made me miss the waterfall of papers I am experiencing now.
How was Russia?
Now this is a really broad question. In short, it was an amazing city and I found myself captivated by the beauty of the architecture, parks, and overall atmosphere of St. Petersburg. My only regret is that I didn't see enough. Don't get my wrong, I saw plenty. I just wish I could have seen more.
I miss the people who made me enjoy my time there. My first host and her husband, our counselor at Nevsky, the friends I made. They were all so important to me having such a great time. I would have been miserable without them all.
Well, this is the end. Thank you for reading the little bits and pieces I put when I finally convinced myself to blog.
Goodbye Russia.
I had a blast while I was there. The housing situation was dreadful and my host mom didn't understand what not being able to eat something meant, but overall, it was a fantastic experience.
When I came back, I showed my family and friends many of the pictures from my trip and was able to tell them all about it. I don't like speaking (I barely felt happy keeping up this blog at the end), so I told my grandmother that it was her responsibility to lead the even along by asking questions. That is how I am going to present this to you.
What was the weather like?
Cold. Really cold. Nothing can fully describe just how cold it was I felt there. You just have to go and experience it for yourself. ...And I didn't even stay for the worst part of the winter....
How was the food?
It was good. There were, of course, foods I couldn't eat. Tvorog made me really sick. Cucumbers were finally granted to me at the end of my stay. Georgian and Azerbaijani food was really delicious. Schaste really was the "home of happiness".... Food is good.
How was the culture?
Russia is definitely a male dominated society. As displayed by the male companion Hot Stuff and I hated so much, men can get away with almost anything and it is treated as a normal thing. Come home drunk? Normal. Want to purchase semi-automatic weapons? Normal. Sexually harass and threaten women? Normal.
Now, I would like to point out that it was only the older generation who treated things as though it were nothing. The younger generation hated that all of this was happening, but they weren't the ones who could do anything about it.
How was school?
School was interesting. It was open note/open friend for tests, our papers were in English, our teachers talked to us in English at times... Overall, the classes were really easy. It made me miss the waterfall of papers I am experiencing now.
How was Russia?
Now this is a really broad question. In short, it was an amazing city and I found myself captivated by the beauty of the architecture, parks, and overall atmosphere of St. Petersburg. My only regret is that I didn't see enough. Don't get my wrong, I saw plenty. I just wish I could have seen more.
I miss the people who made me enjoy my time there. My first host and her husband, our counselor at Nevsky, the friends I made. They were all so important to me having such a great time. I would have been miserable without them all.
Well, this is the end. Thank you for reading the little bits and pieces I put when I finally convinced myself to blog.
