I'm coming home...

a little older, no wiser, a little happier... see you soon!

it's the fourth of July...

... and I'm in Russia where no one celebrates it except the diplomats and they wouldn't allow me to come to their party .  Watch some fireworks for me and enjoy them as much as I would.  Sing a few patriotic songs for me.  I wish you a happy Independence Day in your native land.  Oh how I long for home right now.  I guess I'll always be an American...

Have a good holiday!!!

The magical city...

People in Petersburg know how to teleport.  I know this because they always manage to get to places ahead of me even when I start out first.  Only a select few Americans are allowed to learn how the magic works, I expect if I continue my study of Russia and it's language and culture I'll one day get the right to learn how to navigate the mists of this lovely, disappearing city.  Anyhow, I'm sure you all think I'm crazy, but it's all true.

Poka!

it's over, thank God...

I'm in St. Petersburg by myself until August 2nd.  I'm so glad that the first part of the trip is over.  Now I don't have to deal with stupid people anymore.  I'm staying with a lovely Russian lady and her daughter.  I want to come home.  I miss home.  I don't want to be here.  I may change my flight but I have not decided.  I'm lonely.

Anyhow,  I hope you all are well and your summers are going better than mine.

Love to all,

Ria

Journey from St. Betersburg to Moscow

I have often thought that America is a big country.  I was under the impression that it had a great deal of open land and places to build.  But after seeing so much of Russia as I have seen in the past three days, I changed my mind.  The only word I can use to describe this country adequately is to say that it is vast.  As vast as the ocean.  I've been sitting in buses for days just staring out the window with my mouth open and all I can think is "how vast, how incredibly vast, it seems to stretch on forever and ever."  I imagine my fellow classmates think I have gone a bit nutty of late what with my habit of putting on my headphones and watching the country go by with the expression of someone who has seen the face of God.  The wilderness glows.  I hate to sound cliche but it's like something out of a fairy tale.  The forests are those old-world forests with so much thick underbrush and tall tall trees.  I have never seen such green trees and grass nor such blue skies nor such a bright sun.  I've never seen such a wild big place as Russia.  All this beauty and the amazing towns we have been visiting have revived my interest and love of Russia.  Other than a slight flu thing that hit me in St. Petersburg and is still clinging with a certain annoying burr-like quality, I'm doing much better than when I last wrote. 

I got my living situation worked out and I'll be staying here (in St. Petersburg that is) until August 2nd as planned.  It does seem like such a long time though and I feel I'm going to miss out on a lot back home.  But you have to do these things every once in a while.  Perhaps I'll grow up while I'm here (or maybe I have already and just don't know it).

Don't forget me!