How Things Change

I am blogging from a sleeper train car, in a cell not much wider than 2 refrigerators and not much longer than a mini cooper.  Professor Koch and my advisor, Professor LaFrance are stowed below in the lower bunks and my nimbly, young, long-legged self (all blessings in this case!) is tucked quietly on one of the top bunks, across from the suitcases that are occupying the vacant fourth bunk across from me (above Prof. Koch).  

This thing is TEENY.  

But I cannot help but free the vagabond laughter within me as I think of how marvelous it is to be able to spend a night on a Russian train, check into a Russian hotel and then go off to a Russian brunch before a Russian business meeting.  *marvelous!*  Despite the slight inconveniences of the moment-sharing a sleeper car with my 2 MALE professors and therefore, during my period and being a female in general, having no freedom of…”expression”, etc. (could it get any more interesting?)- this is an adventure and it’s going down in the books and postcards and lettres.

I have a paper to complete by the end of this train ride!

Chimene

I have a bit of time now before 7am (when I’m due to send my luggage down for loading onto the bus) to give you an overview of our plans on getting into and arriving in and staying in Moscow.  Please permit me to have some fun with this, as the following is my interpretation from the program manager (who just also happens to be my academic advisor):

1.  there’s an extra girl, therefore one of the girls has to share a SLEEPER car on the train with Prof. Koch and Prof LaFrance (my advisor).  Why was I the only girl to raise my hand?  

2.  learn how to fill out russian train forms for arrival and departure.  keep passport handy for this.

3.  the sleeper trains are teeny, so good luck getting both you AND your luggage in them for the night.

4.  don’t get too comfy though, because you need to prepare for 2 KGB/Holocaust style raids at 4pm and midnight where our sleepers and our luggage will be searched at the whim of the russian officials on the train.  keep your passport for this because if they suspect you, it can make complications and they can suggest you “come with them” (which, as history has proven, never ends well now, does it?).  

5.  there is only one toilet room PER CAR, which the Russians lock whenever passing over a city and before they get into Russia.  when to pee?  I’ve no clue.

6. no eating on the dining cars, bring snacks.

When we get to Russia:

1.  Young people ages 15-25 are mostly drunk all day, which can mean danger for the group.

2. RACISM!  Lot’s of it!  (My advisor made eye contact with me!) unless you look like an NBA star.  Fail.

3. business casual for all 5 days in Moscow.  (I’m fine with that)

4. taking every opportunity we can get in Moscow, so the daily schedule doesn’t end until virtually 11pm…

5. Company tours!  Mars candy and KPNG, etc.

6. we ride the Russian metro:  hide your kids, hide your wife because of pickpockets, etc.

7. you can be stopped randomly by any russian official on the streets and if you don’t have your passport…. “come with them”….  so carry your passport… but not in your pocket on the metro.

8.  The Russian Ballet!  and maybe the Russian circus… which you already know my take on…

ok bye!

     You know, the sun doesn’t go down here until about 11:30/midnightish…  

     That was my consolation as I studied for this morning’s exam.  Imagine studying for an 40 multiple choice and 2 short answer question exam having been in a country for 6 DAYS; NOT EVEN A WHOLE WEEK!!?!?!?   I’m doubly jet-lagged, craving REAL FOOD, in my  second period this month because my stupid uterus has to synch with every girl I meet in these types of situations (I was literally having cramps since the airport because I was meeting the other students and my body was making up its mind as to which I’d cycle with.), did I mention craving REAL food?  Lithuanians…  I don’t know how they do it.  It’s like poor people’s food:  This morning we had sliced cucumbers, quartered tomato slices, hot dogs, and bread slices.  WHAT?  I am also experiencing a loss of sense of place.  There are times when I close my eyes and I think I am back home and there are other times in which I am unsure as to where the heck Lithuania is (In Russia’s armpit if you care to know.)!   

     Yesterday I begun feeling homesick.  How, I’ve no clue because I haven’t  even been away from home for a week.  Anyway, it got so bad that I watched 2 Michael Jackson concerts.  (You see because I am a Jackson I feel some tie to him.  Ok, maybe not but it’s great background noise.  And They were his Japanese and German tours!  Or I waste time. You be the judge. )

     We leave for Moscow by train tomorrow (thursday).  It’s a 58-hour ride on a sleeper train.  I can’t wait to feel like a Pevensie child on my way away to the countryside for shelter during WWII…maybe I’ll go to Narnia!  

     I’ve been told that we will be visiting the Moscow Circus while there.  That will be problematic for me since I and my family have been boycotting the circus since I was 7 Actually, here’s how it happened:  One summer evening we were outside the stadium where the circus was in town and there was an animal rights group picketing outside.  I walked over to the man with the green balloon and he handed me a pamphlet with an elephant’s chained leg on the cover.  I read that pamphlet the ENTIRE circus.  After the ostentatious display of human skill and mockery covering up the grand injustices towards these beasts I called a family meeting and announced that I no longer wanted to go to the circus due to animal rights’ violations.  My father, viewing my request as a petition to save money and stop a rather pricy family expenditure, heartily agreed and my mother applauded my allowing my convictions yield to a decision to stay away from what most children loved.   

     So, what shall I do in Moscow?  Someone the other day asked “WHY THE WORLD ARE THEY TAKING YOU THERE?  It’s a perfect guarantee every female will be RAPED if you’re out one minute past 6pm!!!”  Gee, thanks.  God is my protection!

…..and so is my hotel’s locked door…

..Love you!

Chimene

I am traveling with these people for the next 9.5 weeks.  

What a Ride.  

Taken with Jean Cho’s camera…