Ok you called my bluff. Things haven’t exactly been boring
here.
The woman who checked my passport upon arrival was actually nice. Well, all things considered. Once I was approved, I proceeded forward and started on what was the longest escalator of my life. Little did I know, that one was child’s play compared to the metro system. Needless to say, I will never again blindly start running up an escalator when there’s a long line for the standing side—chances are they’re waiting for a reason. Anyway, back on track. The minute I got out of baggage claim, the taxi drivers were there to pounce. They watched me like hawks and didn’t seem to care how many times I had said “no” already. One watched me as I waited for my ride, and after I rejected his offer a few times and began to walk away he proclaimed me to be a “proud girl”. I eventually met up with my colleague and we started on the journey to the apartment I was staying at. Long is all relative since everything is a long trip in this city.
We made a… “friend”… on the bus. I’d heard that Russians like to get to know strangers and will give their whole life story, and, what do you know, I was thrown right into this culture. He started out by offering me his seat (I didn’t take it, if you were wondering). Then he tried to tell me that there was a traffic jam. However he tried to do this with a crude sign language, and, having no context for what he was saying, I was a little taken aback my his gestures. Apparently they're not universal. Over the 2 hour bus ride I was asked if I was 16 (de ja vu of every trip I’ve ever taken) then asked where my children were and why I wasn’t married at my age since I already have my degree (feels like somewhere else I’ve lived). He also compared me to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and said something about my eyes being like deep wells something something… I got all of this secondhand from the person I was with who speaks Russian. By the end he told me not to meet people on the streets unless I’m with a guy I know who speaks Russian. Thank you for the advice, Russian Man.
The woman who checked my passport upon arrival was actually nice. Well, all things considered. Once I was approved, I proceeded forward and started on what was the longest escalator of my life. Little did I know, that one was child’s play compared to the metro system. Needless to say, I will never again blindly start running up an escalator when there’s a long line for the standing side—chances are they’re waiting for a reason. Anyway, back on track. The minute I got out of baggage claim, the taxi drivers were there to pounce. They watched me like hawks and didn’t seem to care how many times I had said “no” already. One watched me as I waited for my ride, and after I rejected his offer a few times and began to walk away he proclaimed me to be a “proud girl”. I eventually met up with my colleague and we started on the journey to the apartment I was staying at. Long is all relative since everything is a long trip in this city.
We made a… “friend”… on the bus. I’d heard that Russians like to get to know strangers and will give their whole life story, and, what do you know, I was thrown right into this culture. He started out by offering me his seat (I didn’t take it, if you were wondering). Then he tried to tell me that there was a traffic jam. However he tried to do this with a crude sign language, and, having no context for what he was saying, I was a little taken aback my his gestures. Apparently they're not universal. Over the 2 hour bus ride I was asked if I was 16 (de ja vu of every trip I’ve ever taken) then asked where my children were and why I wasn’t married at my age since I already have my degree (feels like somewhere else I’ve lived). He also compared me to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and said something about my eyes being like deep wells something something… I got all of this secondhand from the person I was with who speaks Russian. By the end he told me not to meet people on the streets unless I’m with a guy I know who speaks Russian. Thank you for the advice, Russian Man.
I also looked around as I was riding the bus/metro. It was a sea of black, speckled with scowls
and fur. I’ve been practicing the former. (It's just a social norm, though. Many of them have actually been quite helpful). But I don't know how they do it. Sometimes life is just too funny.
I’m not sayin’; I’m just sayin’.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'm a novice at this, so please help me out by commenting!