So, a bit of time has passed since my last blog. I've mostly been waiting for new pictures to post, and I finally got
ahold of some pictures from a friend.
Contrary to what I thought I'd be doing on Halloween weekend (sitting at home and studying), I actually did go out with friends and joined the growing number of
Muscovites who celebrate the holiday (gotta love Westernization). Though, not surprisingly, my costume was a little more subtle than others - Russians love to go all out. (The
vampiress at Old Havana restaurant was decked out with fake teeth, blood, cape and
boustier....and she only won the 3rd place in the costume contest.)
Luckily, I'm learning that one can have fun in Moscow at night and not spend a million dollars, like many of the New Russians like to do. (For all of you non-Russian-studies friends, New Russians are a lovely new demographic group here in Moscow, twentysomethings with millions of dollars to spend on absolutely nothing - really.) For $15 had a couple of drinks and danced the night away in the new Cuban restaurant. Thank God for good friends who pull you away from your work every now and then to keep you sane.
Since then life has been pretty low key. Last week saw a peak in my studying - I swear I've made a permanent indentation in my desk chair. We had our first snowfall, which made Moscow look oh-so-pretty, and it's pretty much snowed everyday since then, but only lightly. Though it's pretty darn cold, I will say I prefer it that way - reminds me more of home.
So, for my latest rant. I've spent the last two months adapting to a new culture and though it hasn't been easy I would say I've been pretty successful, in all areas but one. I cannot get over the different opinion Russians, if not most Europeans and Asians, hold towards women. I'm the only American in my dorm, not to mention American girl - and sometimes I really feel that the other students in the dorm just think I'm from a different planet. The biggest indicator that I'm an American is my love for the university gym - some of the people here just can't believe that I, a woman, sweat, much less enjoy it. What really is killing me is that soccer is so much more popular over here than back in the States, yet I have yet to meet one girl here that has ever kicked a ball. I've tried (unsuccessfully) joining a few pick-up games going on at the gym, and even tried asking the gym administrator if there was a possibility of forming a girls soccer club (she laughed at me, and then suggested I sign up for the aerobics class). Then add to this frustration that 80% of the girls at MGIMO wake up 2 hours early to get ready for class - to do their hair, make-up, etc.....they all look like dolls. I don't want this rant to be mistaken for me feeling inferior, just frustrated with the social definitions of the country. While I'm very much enjoying some things about the difference in attitude, i.e., - having men open the door, hold my bags, help me put my coat on, let me out of the elevator first - I would much rather just experience social equality of the sexes than try to meet the norms here. Ok, that was my rant...thank you for your patience.
Well, other than that - not much is new...OH! I got an invitation to the American Embassy for Thanksgiving, so I'm pretty excited about that. Other than this, I've just got my nose in the books.
Hope you're all well. Write me and let me know how you're doing!
