Moscow: City of extremes

This has been the most extreme year in terms of...many things.

As many people here say, we experienced the coldest winter in 40 years, we were witnesses of the biggest snowfall in another 30 and, of course, the most sweltering heat in 130 years took over 2 months of our summer, followed by an asphyxiating blanket of smoke which turned the city into a ghost town. Suddenly, one day, the smog was over and the rain started, cleaning our lungs, minds and sky of that unbearable situation. No intermediate points. Otherwise, this would be what it is.

In more personal terms, I can say I have learned a lot about my own limits, too. From my ability to adapt to a very hostile environment, to let myself get involved in stories that I could have never imagined.

This already 11 months, god, time flies -in one direction only- have also been probably the most intense ones of my entire life. I have discovered amazing places, met unbelievable people and got to understand and even feel part of such a different culture and way of thinking.

Now I feel tempted to stay a bit more. But, is it better to leave a place when one thinks it has already given all the positive experiences and learning that one could have expected, or should there be another part of the story? Will it turn definitely worse or are there still things to surprise me?

Winter in Moscow

Well, it was about time for a new post!

I had heard winter was hard, but so far I can tell it is not that bad… I guess everything is a matter of attitude! It is dark most of the time, really cold, snow is everywhere in the streets…but it's absolutely beautiful. I can't understand how people can get tired of seeing snowflakes fall. It's beautiful, but dangerous, because the pavements are covered not only with snow, but also with ice and it is very easy to slip and fall down. Actually I fell already twice, not a surprising fact about clumsy me, huh?

The months so far have been completely amazing: Saint Petersburg and Kiev and getting to know great Moscow. One can always do something in this lively city: concerts, cinema, partying… A lot of live music is always on, all genres, even the most eclectic and rare.Now trying to decide a destination for Easter: Many ideas in my head and changing my mind everyday: Central Asia, Siberia, Far East…

About these (almost) 4 months, some practical and not so practical information:

One of the common things for daily life is the use of Mashinas (машина) instead of taxis. Mashina actually means  “car” and they are just old ones, usually Ladas, or soviet style. Taxis are very expensive, so basically nobody uses them. Just raising your hand, many cars stop and ask you where you are heading to. If it's handy for them, they will ask you how much you are willing to pay for the ride and then you have to put into practice your negotiation skills in Russian. Usually a ride inside the Ring (the centre) should never cost more than 200 rubbles (about 5 euros) and it is most of the times 150 if you are stubborn enough (our favourite stopiatdisiát phrase). Some of the drivers are professionals, but many just drive people to get some extra money, since average salaries and pensions are very low. It's important to be very careful who you are getting into the car with, and never if there is somebody else inside, apart from the driver.

A funny thing one gets used to is the service in restaurants: doesn’t matter if you go for dinner together with some friends and everybody orders at the same time, they may bring your food with a difference of one hour between the first and last person served. So, nobody waits for the rest to be served to start eating, unless they don’t mind eating a cold meal. And once you finish your dinner, the waiter will immediately clear the table, even when you are chewing your last bite. I's funny to see always many idle waiters around.

Our Russian has significantly improved; I'm now able to communicate or get to be understood in most of the daily situations. Well, we've studied quite some hours already (almost 400 in 3 months) and now it's time to assimilate all that information and put it into practice! It is a very precise language with an infinite number of shades. Just as an example, to say “to go” one may use 30 different possibilities, depending on where, which means of transport is using, if carrying something on their hands or if it is a usual action or just doing it that specific time. All this not to talk about grammar and cases…

Anyways, we're already in the office, good life of students is over and we'll study much less from now on but I hope we'll keep on learning. A new stage has started, some core people have left, some new ones are coming… We’ll see how Muscovite life evolves. Will keep you posted.