Forgotten tales

I totally forgot to tell you all about meeting my tutor. The details...

I was sitting in the train station waiting for him to pick me up. I was on Skype with my dad, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a man with a camera taking a picture of me.... I thought that's weird, probably it's him, and yes, he walked up and gave me the biggest hug! It wasn't awkward, but he lifted me up and then we went to catch a bus. Keep in mind this is 6:30am.

When we got to his house, I could tell why he didn't want me to stay there. He was great in finding me hosts, but breakfast was at his house. His mom was cooking, and she speaks zero english. My tutor acted as translator...and he translated everything. Including when his mom asked how much I weigh. She actually looked me up and down and asked how much I weigh. It was extremely awkward. Also, my tutor didn't want any photos of him posted, so there's no proof we even met!

Other than that strange conversation and the awkward moments in his house. He kept apologizing for not being able to have me stay there. I was so thankful I wasn't staying there! It was pretty rundown, the water didn't work, but mostly the language barrier with his mom would have been painful to deal with everyday.

I didn't spend a lot of time with him during my 5 days in his city. I had other friends and I had to spend time with my hosts as well. I'm satisfied with the time we did spend together walking or at english club.

So that's that lame story! Sorry it wasn't more exciting! I know everyone thought I would fall in love, but there was none of that, I promise you.

Now I'm in Holland where tall men are everywhere! It's just nice to look at least :)

Russian Ramblings...

Nothing new on the love front... Every trip I've been on, there is one whirlwind romance, so I do believe I've met my quota for this trip. I do have some funny stories to share though...

Tattoo

My tattoo is really hurting lately! It's itchy like a sunburn and scabbing over. Since it is so irritated, I am unable to shave that part of my leg. Right now, the doll's face has hair growing out of it. Which is actually authentic Russian ;) Women in the Caucasus mountain area tend to have very hairy faces. I've been thinking of leaving the hair long where the dog is...making it a 3D tattoo :p

Lessons learned

In Russia, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand! I couldn't believe it. But it's tradition. One story I heard is that most people wipe their ass with their left hand, so why would you wear your wedding ring on your ass wiping hand? Personally, I use my right hand, so wedding ring on the left works fine for me! Now I know to check both hands before pursuing a man. 

Learning Russian

I have yet to improve my Russian. The second someone speaks to me in Russian (usually far too quickly to understand) I shut down and just say sorry I don't speak Russian. I know I should be practicing, but it is far too overwhelming. I can read cyrillic almost perfectly now, but maybe when I am home I can get my vocabulary up to snuff. I met a woman from Ohio who has lived in Russia for 15 years and still speaks terrible Russian. It made me want to quit trying right then and there. How can someone who is literally around the language all day not be able to pick it up? It goes to show how difficult Russian really is.