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The adventures, observations, and struggles of an expat in Moscow, Russia...
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Is it possible that DHL, Satakuntatalo Hostel, and the Russian Embassy are in cahoots to milk me of my hard-earned money by extending this hellish process longer and longer? Because things aren’t working so smoothly.
All conspiracy theories and paranoia aside, I’ve just found out that I’ll be in Helsinki at least one more day before I return to Moscow and find out what Valeri at MES hasn’t done in order to prepare for the arrival of our three other American teachers next week. I’ll also be volunteering at a youth camp outside of Moscow for a week before I officially start work again.
I’m bored, frustrated, and can’t wait to get back to Moscow.
Today as I was walking to the Cable Library for some free (holy crap, something in Finland that doesn’t cost anything!) wi-fi, I saw a sign that made me laugh:
I know, kind of immature, but it’s one of those days weeks. . .
Responses to “Jatkuu. . .”
August 2nd, 2004 at 10:53 pm
Reminds me of those seatcovers that John tried to steal. “Assman,” was it? Heh.
August 3rd, 2004 at 12:37 pm
Yeah, I remember those ‘Assman’ seat covers from Petersburg last year. That whole incident was pretty funny.
I checked in the store, but there wasn’t a jopa worth buying. . .
August 3rd, 2004 at 4:03 pm
Apparently you used to live within five minutes’ walk from my place in Moscow… I mean your Leninsky apt. But why hurry back when it’s hot and humid in Moscow like in New Orleans?
August 3rd, 2004 at 4:28 pm
Really, Alexei? That’s interesting. When did you live there? I enjoyed that area. It was close enough to MGU and still just an 8 minute marshrutka ride to Oktyabrskaya metro. The only disadvantage for me was that my university was at Byelorusskaya, so it was a nice 40 minute commute everyday. I know that’s normal in Moscow, but I was used to practically living on campus at FSU.
Regarding my rush back to Moscow, literally moments before I boarded the train for Finland, I found out that my trip was going to be at least a week longer than I expected it to be due to the paperwork blunders of the place arranging my working visa. I’ve enjoyed Finland quite a bit, especially outside Helskinki, but I am ready to get back home to some clean clothes, affordable food, and work. I don’t like feeling unproductive, and that’s exactly how I feel right now.
And since I lived in the ‘armpit’ of Florida before this, I can stand the humidty.
August 4th, 2004 at 5:29 pm
My map tells me Leninsky 79 is at the intersection of Leninsky and Panfyorova, but your photo doesn’t look like that place to me. If it’s indeed where the map says it is, you could walk down (or up, I’m not sure) Panfyorova all the way to Vavilova, cross the latter, walk through an arch and face the glorious building where I’m still dwelling.
Pollution and humidity, THE recipe for a long and productive life!
August 13th, 2004 at 8:40 pm
Wow, that is pretty close to where I used to live, Alexei.
By the way, the reason that the building does not look familiar is because it was not taken while standing on Leninsky Prospekt. Dom 79 is, as the Russians say, ?????? ?????? ? (even though MosMap 2.1 shows otherwise). The picture was taken from my room on the ninth floor in one of the ‘legs’ of the ? while facing northeast.
August 2nd, 2004 at 8:10 pm
I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time. I finally found a place to live in Helsinki–starting on October 1st. I may be in a hostel for a while myself…