Mallrats

Well, 4 days in Moscow, and I've already been to the nearest mall twice... And nearly been escorted out by security once. In my defense, the grocery store is in the mall.

My Russian class began today, and it was a largely pleasant experience. There are only three of us in Level 2 (Chris, Spencer, and myself) so the class is mostly going back and forth between the three of us, answering questions and staging conversations. Our professor, Elena Vladimirovich, was hilarious. She was more or less hitting on Spencer ("ooooh. A bass voice!" "You aren't an athlete? Are you sure?"), and went on an amusing tandem about how Putin is so much more of a man than Medvedev ("He plays judo, karate, all sorts of sports. Medvedev, he doesn't play sports. He sits at his computer... Always on his computer... Not like Putin...") Overall, intense, but enjoyable.

Afterwards, about 5 of us went to the local mall. The day sort of went downhill from there. I had purchased my Russian textbook (550p... Imagine an American textbook under $20!) and sort of forgot to replenish my cash supply. So, we went to Media Markt first... THE MOST INSANE STORE EVER. It was like Best Buy, if Best Buy also sold vacuum cleaners, and stoves, and had an entire aisle of water filters, spanning from 239p (the one I bought) to 5.000 p. I also bought some headphones, mine being missing. Alas, no camera charger. Additionally, the entire store was a garish hot pink. So, like a giant Best Buy if run my sorority girls. The signs are pink. The employee uniforms were pink. It was a fashion NIGHTMARE. So, I had JUST enough money to buy my 2 items, and managed to REALLY piss off the sales girl. I didn't hear her say the price, so I was trying to pay the price on the computer. Bad idea.

Also, btws... the mall has a hookah bar. With icicle lights. Very nice... Likely very expensive.

Outside Ashan, there is a really pretty fountain. I asked Chris to take a picture, and within seconds we were accosted by a gentleman. I will assume he was mall security or something, but he wasn't in uniform. He very brusquely told us "No photos. You understand me?" He took too much pleasure in his job.

So, there is the big adventure of the day. I have my Russian history class tomorrow. Everyone is trying to talk me into taking the literature class, but I'd rather not test my luck...