July 9, 2007

Running with an Ipod in Russia is an odd thing. There is no one running in the morning. There are a few young people who have MP3 players on the bus. But no one has put the two activities together that I’ve seen at 7:00 in the morning. Most of the Russian women are on their way to work. Most of the men are smoking their cigarettes while waiting for the bus. They are not allowed to smoke on the bus. If they did, I would have found an alternative form of transportation in the morning and afternoon. The bus is already a dreaded activity twice a day. I long for my own car keys, my own climate control, my own music, my own seat to sit in, my own personal space. So, (how many Russians will start a sentence in English) I have put myself in a Russian’s shoes and I am giving the shoes back soon!

Our first class this morning was on Russian proverbs and trying to determine the state of the Russian soul! We determined that there are even more contradictions about this country than when we started! We discussed among ourselves most of the problems and carry-overs from the Soviet period.

Lunch was at the Golden Gates Restaurant: salad, cabbage soup, pork chops, potatoes, ice cream with tea. (chaikoo!!)

After lunch, we heard a speaker that had cancelled his lectures three times last week. He is 88 years old and a professor at the local Pedagogical University. He told great stories of his imprisonment by the Nazis and by the communists. He talked almost lovingly of Khruschchev who attempted to de-Stalinize the USSR. He was at several meetings and events when K was there. He discussed the role Brezhnev played after K. Fascinating! He was supportive of Gorbachev and supports Putin for the stability he has brought Russia. He is coming back tomorrow for an encore and so we can ask him questions. Questions have to be loud and he must come quite close so he can hear you, but the answers are priceless!

Our last discussion was on the role of women in Russia. Of course, there are many women who have had a tough time with men, the dominance of men in the system, and the lack of true equality. I made the observation yesterday at the dacha that a Russian mother’s work is never done! Ludmilla cooked and cleaned up after the whole family throughout the day! At our first meal, she didn’t even have a chance to sit down and join us. Some Russian women have managed to find the right husband and balance a job, the home, and a family, but it is a delicate act like many women in America. I have not been allowed to help much in the kitchen. I insisted on taking my dishes to the sink each meal. This evening, I was allowed to cook a bit only because I had brought Cream of Crab soup from Southern Maryland. I think they liked it, but it was a bit spicy for their taste buds! Olesya has also done the laundry without help and insisted on ironing shirts and pants even though they were headed to a suitcase and doomed to a future life of wrinkles. A Russian mother’s work is never done and the men seem to revel in their relaxation!

Some of us went to a B league soccer game between the Vladimir Torpedoes and the St. Petersburg Dynamos. It was raining through the first half harder and harder. We left at half time after a pretty girl won a prize…..or some such exciting Russian thing that happens at half time?? The score was 1 to 1. If the home team won, they could move into 2nd place and take home an extra $500! Stay tuned for the exciting outcome!