Culture Shock?? I think so!!
Trip Start
Aug 06, 2008
1
50
61
Trip End
May 17, 2009
Kazan, Russian Federation
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
worse. It is dark at 2:55 in the
afternoon now and I have to say that it is killing me. I thought that it was the weather that
has affected my mood and I still tend to think that it is a little bit of the
case, but I think I may have some culture shock as well. It only took four months, but I am
ready to get out of here. I know
that when I finally get home and get into the daily grind of school and work
yet again, then I will long for my days here in Kazan, but for right now all I
can think is that I want to hear English again. It will be so weird to be able to walk down the street and
hear people talking and actually understanding what they are saying. I won't know what to do with
myself. In fact, I can imagine
myself sniffing out the first English speaker and attaching myself, much like a
leach and just sticking with them until they call the police to make me go away.
I
don't think it is just me either.
Liz wrote a blog, which I have posted along with this one, and it is
just as depressing as this one. I
think it is just getting to all of us.
The darkness, the boredom, the confusion and the situations that make no
sense (which by the way is almost everything). I just have to keep telling myself that this is Russia,
Jules. This is Russia.
Good
news is that we have two weeks left of classes, then off to Moscow for a week
then to Germany!! That's right,
Germany. I get to see two good
friends from UNCG studying abroad there for a year then HOME!! No more trains for days at a time,
buses or metro's. I am stoked
except for the fact that I am leaving Ilka, Glous and Idgay. They are my family. I love them dearly and no matter how
tired of Russia I am, I will never tire of them.
Can
you just believe that I said that I am tired of Russia? I never thought in all my life that I
would think those thoughts or write those words. Russia is my life, my love and I am still thinking of all
the things that I can learn from being here. For instance, no matter what they tell us in America, you
don't have to work yourself to death.
Life is not all about killing yourself and wasting precious time in the
"office" or whatever your job is. Life is about just enjoying the time that you're given.
Don't
get me wrong. I am not begrudging
the fact that I decided to do this little adventure. I have seen many countries and fulfilled my wildest dreams. I honestly can say that I have been
truly blessed. I have found my best
friends in the whole world and know that they feel the same way about me. Also, it has shown me that we, as
Americans, take our way of life for granted. How lucky are we that we can write what we want, say what we
want, go to the grocery store and see shelves full of food, own our own cars,
and be able to travel freely within our country. (Did you know that Russians not only have a passport but
also a domestic passport? They are
kept track of everywhere they go.)
So
anyway, in a couple of weeks, I will have to sign off of this blogging
experience but not to worry, I have a few more ideas up my sleeve AND I am
going to Moscow for a few days before I go to Moscow for my last hoorah. It should be an interesting one,
especially considering that I don't really want to go. I'm sure it will be something really
worth writing about. Poka, my
friends! See you soon!! Yippee!
