Author's note: After resurrecting this blog after a few years, I found this old draft of a post that I never published. It's obviously not finished, but I will post it anyway, as is, in honor of the Olympics in Sochi and everything that I loved about Russia:
Today in my language lesson, my teacher introduced me to a new timal phrase, which means "during this time," but comes from the same word for "float." Which is a great word, and gave me a lot to think about as I wrap up my time here in Russia.
Though I may be quick to point out flaws that I see in the fabric of Russian culture, I must stress that they are only minor threads in a huge, beautiful, complex tapestry. It is easy to articulate things that are different or uncomfortable or displeasing, but not so easy to verbalize the abundance of good things that I come across every day- often without even taking a moment to be grateful for the kindness and generosity that I have been shown here.
Every culture has ups and downs, and that's what makes them so beautiful, so fascinating, and that's what's inspired my love of travel. I have trouble staying in one place too long, and soon want to experience somewhere new. But outside of the US, Russia
What I love and will miss about Russia:
the hospitality.
the genuiness of people (sure, they may try to take advantage of you, but they won't lie about it haha)
the strong women
the deep appreciation for nature- I've learned to really enjoy a walk in the woods, as a destination, not just a transit point
that they work as a supplement for life, not live for their jobs
they love to enjoy themselves
deep appreciation and respect for family- young adults will stay with their parents not becuase they can't move out, but because they want to live with their parents. Middle-aged children take care of their elderly parents. Families get together to celebrate, and they support one another. They also still have a deeply-engrained sense of the importance of the family in the traditional sense, and young people want to get married and start a family- it's seen as a natural and welcomed progression of life, not as a burden to be taken on later, once their partying days are over.
the sense of maturity of Russians my own age- who are graduating university, starting real jobs, making salaries so that they can start to give back to their parents -i.e., acting like the adults that the rest of the world sees them as (what?! you mean i have to grow up already?!)
the beauty- my mom loved that Russian women are often in flowy dresses or skirts- they are not afraid to embrace their femininity
Today in my language lesson, my teacher introduced me to a new timal phrase, which means "during this time," but comes from the same word for "float." Which is a great word, and gave me a lot to think about as I wrap up my time here in Russia.
Though I may be quick to point out flaws that I see in the fabric of Russian culture, I must stress that they are only minor threads in a huge, beautiful, complex tapestry. It is easy to articulate things that are different or uncomfortable or displeasing, but not so easy to verbalize the abundance of good things that I come across every day- often without even taking a moment to be grateful for the kindness and generosity that I have been shown here.
Every culture has ups and downs, and that's what makes them so beautiful, so fascinating, and that's what's inspired my love of travel. I have trouble staying in one place too long, and soon want to experience somewhere new. But outside of the US, Russia
What I love and will miss about Russia:
the hospitality.
the genuiness of people (sure, they may try to take advantage of you, but they won't lie about it haha)
the strong women
the deep appreciation for nature- I've learned to really enjoy a walk in the woods, as a destination, not just a transit point
that they work as a supplement for life, not live for their jobs
they love to enjoy themselves
deep appreciation and respect for family- young adults will stay with their parents not becuase they can't move out, but because they want to live with their parents. Middle-aged children take care of their elderly parents. Families get together to celebrate, and they support one another. They also still have a deeply-engrained sense of the importance of the family in the traditional sense, and young people want to get married and start a family- it's seen as a natural and welcomed progression of life, not as a burden to be taken on later, once their partying days are over.
the sense of maturity of Russians my own age- who are graduating university, starting real jobs, making salaries so that they can start to give back to their parents -i.e., acting like the adults that the rest of the world sees them as (what?! you mean i have to grow up already?!)
the beauty- my mom loved that Russian women are often in flowy dresses or skirts- they are not afraid to embrace their femininity
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