Had another adventure last night. But that is usual, considering it is ME we are talking about.
Chris and I decided to go take pictures around campus last night. First, I showed him where the laundry facilities were. Standing by the elevators was a very random drunk bum. We were soon asked for a cigarette from this particular bum, but neither of us smoked. It was just a random thing to find in the basement of where you live...
We took a few pictures of sector A, which is all marble... very pretty. We wandered up the giant marble staircases. One side had all the lights off, and it was dimmed on the other. On the side with the lights, I took pictures of the Lenin and Marx statues until Chris freaked that we'd get in trouble if someone saw the flash. Given the mall adventure, it wouldn't surprise me.
We then walked around the back of the building, towards the area my room faces. I got a few nice pictures of the building, and of the monument directly outside my window. I kept hearing a small sound, and was worried I dropped the camera. Nope... we were walking on ice that kept breaking under our feet. We finally got too cold, and went inside to my room for the warming touch of vodka.
My window ice-box worked too well. My blini, juice, and hummus was frozen solid. We melted the juice a little bit on the radiator, and had vodka slushies, and read random webcomics/watched really weird hipster videos.
Russian history class today was... ok. I was a little saddened to learn we will be studying the 19th and 20th centuries. I like much, much older things. : (
After class, a mess of us ate in the cafeteria. I was planning on hanging out with an American ex-pat and her friends, but I later found that the plans fell through. So, Greg, an American who grew up in Russia, asked if any of us wanted to go into the city with him to meet his brother, and walk around a mall. Not knowing exactly what my plans for the evening were, and always up for exploring, I was the only one to volunteer.
On the way to the mall, we passed over the Moscow River (GORGEOUS) and I got to see the white house, where Putin works... So, this is where I shall spend my days holding up my "Я люблю Путина" glittery sign...
Greg and I took the metro to the largest mall I have ever seen... 7 stories high. Greg is more or less annoyed with the place. Apparently, it is so expensive people just go there to walk around... nobody can afford any of the things there. And I don't blame them... one area had elevators covered in Christmas lights, with domes atop them. At the bottom of the atrium stood a fountain surrounded by the tables of a cafe. Above their head there, there was a giant Ferraro Rocher ad.. a giant Christmas ("New Years'") tree made of little golden bulbs. In the hallways of the mall, fake cherry blossom trees bloomed.
We met his brother, Nikita, and Nikita's wife at a cafe called "Manga." It was literally Manga-themed... copies of Japanese comic books adorned the walls, and cute, cuddly, imaginary animals adorned the placemats. The waitresses were dressed Lolita-style, with black dresses, white crinolines, and tiny red aprons. I ordered a Coke (WITH ICE!) but they had Pepsi. I was so pleased with the fact that they had ice I didn't care. Ok, I cared, but was too embarrassed to try to explain to Greg, who would have to explain to the waiter, that Coke DOES NOT = Pepsi.
I did my best to listen to the conversation, but I understood only every few words. That was fine by me.
A quick word to all of my Russian-crazy female friends back in the states. Greg is adorable. I am living in fear that he shall read this, and I will be really embarrassed, but seriously. Be jealous that I get to hang out with cute Russian boys.
So, after spending a few hours at the mall, we returned home. Rather, we went to the bar next to our metro stop. I didn't really plan on going, because I was still under the impression that there was a party in my sector waiting for me. But when all the American guys showed up, and one promised to have only one drink, I figured I'd stay awhile, and return home with him. It was mostly guy-talk... all the boys wanting to seduce Russian women with their passports. Amusingly, one of the boys said "earmuffs" to me, as if I would be offended. har.
One of the boys found a random Russian kid from the Caucasus in his hall, had gotten him drunk off vodka, and brought him along. The kid barely spoke English, and goodness, was he drunk. The roommate of the American student involved and I agreed that giving booze to random strangers is not the way to a lasting and healthy relationship.
Also, mystery roommate is doing laundry in our shower. Great.
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