Привет, Россия
On my first day my family took me, almost immediately, to the center of St. Petersburg. The architecture of St. Petersburg is hard to describe, half of it is old buildings from the Reign of Peter the Great and long forgotten Tsars, while the rest of the city is spotted with Cold War era apartments.
As my family and I looked across Neva River at Palaces and old barracks, it dawned on me that I was in Russia and I felt a rush of emotion. I know this sounds flowery, but honestly that’s the best way I can describe it. At that moment I had realized the last six months of planning and packing had finally come to fruition.
While I had this moment on the Neva my suitcase was still somewhere in the Netherlands. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg I recall the flight attendant regretfully informing our flight that “some” of our bags had not made it on to the airplane with us. Three hours later as I neared the front of the line for customs the rest of my flight and I would learn that it was more than “some” and close to most of our luggage was left in Amsterdam.
After three painful hours in Pulkovo Airport, I lugged my carry-ons through security and was met by my host mom and host sister Liza. We then dragged “some” of my bags to the car and dodged traffic. My host dad picked us up and drove us to the city center where we ate at a restaurant that was called Room. The restaurant was split between outdoor and indoor dining, which created a unique atmosphere that reminded me of being in someone’s home. To add to the ambiance each table was provided with blankets and up close entertainment of children playing tag on the adjoining playground.
They day concluded with a tour of my family’s apartment. After politely refusing food several times, I fell asleep soundly until the next afternoon. The following days included going to a science museum in a high-rise apartment, walking around St. Petersburg’s many historical sites, and going to a small zoo in a shopping mall.
I am pleased that my host sister is the same age as me - it has smoothed my transition. It will be melancholy when she leaves for her exchange in America next week.
Last night I went to yoga with my host mom and may have found a new passion even though I am very sore today. Exchange is about trying new things right? Well I tried yoga for the first time in Russia. I even got a compliment from the teacher.
Tonight I am going to a rooftop concert with my host sister and then tomorrow I meet the other exchange student going to my school from Brazil!
From Kajsa with Love!
From Russia with Love (click on this link below for pictures taken this week!)