Translator for hire...

I'm posting this on the bus from Heathrow to Oxford. Oh the joys of this modern age...

Its been a long few hours in purgatory but I'm pleased to announce I've landed back in England in one piece with all my luggage and sanity intact. Thanks to the joys of German efficiency (more on that later) I arrived at my connection ten minutes early allowing for a quick march to the departure gate, rather than a frantic dash.

The real point of this post is that slightly tongue in cheek comment that makes up the title of this little diversion. In the course of a two hour flight from St Peterburg to Munich what started out as a helpful translation of a fellow passengers drink request - from "Sok" (Russian) to "Juice" (English) to "Zaft" (German) not to mention coffee with milk... - for the benefit of the cabin crew, I was rewarded with a pleasant 'chit-chat' the rest of the way.

I can speak Russian! I can understand Russian! I can even acknowledge the universal joke that is national stereotypes and that aforementioned view of German efficiency...in Russian! I came away with a telephone number and email of a Russian academic based in St Petersburg, travelling with his wife to Portugal. His command of English was negligable forcing my Russian to come to the surface and I couldn't be more satisfied with my progress. I am chuffed!

I need to find more Russians to speak to. I'm a couple of weeks away from kicking off my studies and my only hope now is that there are some native Russian speakers willing to indulge my new found confidence. Yes there are gaps, yes my mind was frantically constructing sentences in the correct cases during those opportune moments where he chatted to his wife, but still, at my question as to whether his trip to Portugal was for a well earned break. (Cleverly wielding the verb 'to relax' that suddenly appeared from no where!) I could offer a knowing smile at his comment that no, this wouldn't be a chance to relax with all the walking his wife would want to be doing...

Enough said for now, my next task is grappling with the logistics of a both starting university and planning for a return in December. Hopefully this optimism spills over to both and I hit the ground running...

Leaving at a more civilised hour...

After suffering the inconvenience of the bridge system at night in April, I'm pleased to be able to knock out this last post while I grab a quick bite to eat before a 1:30pm pick-up.

Yesterdays extra lesson was a good way to end the week and these three weeks in general. I now feel like I'm leaving Russia with a good foundation in the language and the confidence to move forward as I commence my studies again at Oxford.

Time flies, since April, indeed since this time last year when I faced the prospect of applications, employment and planning to get me where I am now. I lot of wonderful surprises have emerged along the way, both people and places, that have all added the experience and ensured my development over the last twelve months or so hasn't been purely linguistic.

Though part of me is reluctant to leave - when my progress has just started to pick up to a more tangible level - I've a lot to look forward to when I get home. (Not least a short trip to Milan with a very important person I was fortunate to first meet here in St Petersburg! x) The other aspect of my studies is of course Russian History and this too is an area I've managed to make progress in during my stay. Its when I can combine the two and begin the process of translating and understanding the material I've been surrounding by here in St Petersburg that I'll feel like my work can really begin. I have a long to go yet, but at least I'm beginning to enjoy the journey.

I'm already planning my next return to the city, hopefully in the first few weeks of December. I just hope now that I'm back at Oxford I can find the financial support I need to make regular visits a possibility. I hope I'll also be able to continue this blog and that of course, anyone following, enjoys the journey with me.

Monumental Leningrad...

I'd like to tell you that having seen both ends of the massive Moskovsky Prospekt today my legs managed to carry me across the whole length of it. Unfortunately I called it a day at 'Frunzenskaya' metro station and then backtracked from Nevsky Prospect to see the finish.

Nevertheless this was still a chance to see the truly monumental scale of Soviet (and Stalinist at that) architecture that dominates this road into the city. The presence of the old hammer and sickle is stamped across the landscape within this concentration of concrete structures. This is Leningrad through and through. Even the green spaces of 'Victory Park' (Park Pobedy) - built to commerate the victory over Nazi Germany - contain an imposing collection of monuments large and small to hero's of the Soviet Republic.

I was helped by blue skies - as a side note I'd love to know why the BBC weather forecast seems able to provide more accurate predictions of weather here than in Oxford? - offering a striking contrast to the grey of the buildings. It gave me chance to flex my creative muscle and spend a while with my old black and white film camera. I spent the morning attempting to create a 'photo-joiner' of the view on offer at the central square where I'd first spotted Lenin greeting newcomers to the city. What I hadn't noticed on my first visit was the prominence of a Nike store across the street from his gaze. Tag lines like 'Revolution: Just do it' or 'Socialism: Never miss a step'...ahem...sprung to mind and I proceeded to fanny about for an hour or so going through a couple of films trying to piece together the image I had in my head. It remains to be seen if it will come out as a success but I'll try to remember to post up the result.

And you thought Disney did cute...

I have to admit I've started to fall for the charms of Soviet animation. After my introduction in April to their take on 'Winnie the Pooh' I've been picking up an irregular dose through the nightly bedtime program that runs on Russian TV for parents trying to encourage their little cherubs to sleep.



Anyway, as this example shows - 'The Kitten called Woof' - it can be incredibly cutesy, but at the same time its rather helpfully aimed at my current level of Russian.

Divide and conquer...

It's been a couple of days now since my last post. I've spent that time away from the classroom and focused on filling in the blanks where my knowledge of the city is concerned. Geographically that has involved splitting the map into four and trying to focus on navigating my way round each quarter. So far I've explored the northern half, yesterday to the East as far as Smolny - with its impressive cathedral complex and revolutionary centre thats isolated enough from the metro system to feel it in my legs afterwards - and today through the trio of islands to the West that include the real greenery of the city and the summer dachas of the richer sort.

I've had a thoroughly enjoyable day in fact. Covering a fair distance and a lot of bridges, I travelled by the metro to the northern most point (Chyornaya Rechka) of my journey and then worked my way down. Crossing first to Kamenny Island, I followed this round to the sight of Yelagin to the east - opting not to cross over what looked like a tolled bridge - and then south to the largest of the three, Kretovsky. I cut short my exploration there however, there was a lot of development work going on after the end of the summer season and my sights were set back towards the centre and a visit to the 'Kirov Museum'.

This really was a wonderful place to spend a few hours. The museum itself is a little difficult to find, there's a clear enough sign in English on the outside of the building but you then need to climb to the fifth floor for the ticket office before returning to the fourth for the first exhibition space. A lovely restored view of this key figure in the Stalinist regime - both in life and then in death as a saintly hero of the revolution - and his apartment awaits. The curators, a collection of kindly old ladies, were wonderful, welcoming me through to their domain, complimenting my Russian and generally fussing to make sure all the lights were on and I was able to navigate my way through each room in the correct order. Although the translated notes that accompanied each room in the apartment were faultless and reminiscent of the material to be found in the Museum of Political History, when it came to the individual examples of his writing, photo descriptions and other artifacts further on, my Russian is still whoefully inadequate.

Returning to the fifth floor there is also an additional exhibition currently showing artifacts and images from children during the Soviet period. Its themed around school and rationing and proved equally fascinating. As I signed the guest book one of the curators asked if I could offer assistance in deciphering the correct pronounciation of 'vehicle' in English. (Giving a good indication of why the translated notes had proved so good) Happy to oblige I was also pleased to be able to support the museum by buying a program in both Russian and English for a few roubles to see about improving my own language skills in retun.

My last little excursion involved crossing back to Nevsky Prospect and - after re-fueling with a little coffee and cake from my favourite store with the blue sign - calling into an antique store I'd been introduced to by Nastya on one of our practice lessons. There I'd come across an old Soviet childrens book from the 1950's. In wonderful condition it was full of little colour pictures, stories and handwriting practice. Unfortunately at 3000 roubles its a little out of my price range but I thought I should put my language skills to the test and use it as an exercise in speaking. Though I came away without the book, my interest was rewarded with by the opportunity to view a selection of other similar books, not in quite the same condition but which might prove a suitable alternative. I'm not sure. I left with the hope I might return tomorrow.

до завтра!

All change...

I'm still a little shell-shocked after last nights send off at the local bar. (For those coming to the end of their two week cycle and heading home today) The antics of the local population were largely the same as last week though we stayed long enough to see a flaming bar and firing breathing added the repertoire of circus entertainment.

After waking up in the early afternoon (I'm telling myself it was more due to the mental fatigue of study than the alcohol the night before...) I was offered the opportunity by Bart the course co-ordinator to move across to a single room in the next door apartment. Since I'd be here for a week with only one class remaining from this course I thought it would be nice to get a little space to myself.

That space has actually turned out to be pretty impressive. Its clearly a recently refurbished site with large rooms and good facilities. Its going to be a shame to leave the old apartment behind, I was getting quite used to it and could forgive its student-living sized proportions. Left again to my own devices I'll now need to work out how to best spend this week. I'm still toying with the idea of a train trip out to Moscow and back. Its going to be a question of time and expense though. I may head down to the station tomorrow to look at the logistics, though my teacher has recommended where to go when it comes to tickets.

At the end of the day I still feel I've got a lot left to see in the city of St Petersburg. (And surrounding area if I were to trek out Pushkin for example...) I think I may have to at least take advantage of the metro system and see what happens when I start hopping off at random stations...

You can tell a lot about a place by its Lenin...

In contrast to the vocal, gesturing figure that welcomes the noise and activity of the gateway to the city at Moscovskiy Prospect, the statue of Lenin that sits on Bol'shoy Prospect seems content with a quieter pace of life. This is the first time I've hopped off the metro just one stop from my adopted home of Primorskaya and the contrast is surprising between this almost 'suburban' district and both the endless high-rise apartments of home and the general hussle and bussle of the centre.

The buildings are less imposing around the streets of this main boulavard, its a pleasure to be able to hear oneself think (and talk as I was joined by my tutor for this final practical lesson) as we walked around the sights. We didn't make it as far as the banks of the Neva, but eventually retreated to a little cafe to continue the lesson and give me chance to expand my knowledge of a little more colloquial Russian.

From one day to the next...

I realise I'm behind on a couple of days posting. To be fair at this stage in the course, my days are beginning to blur one into the next. I thought my previous introduction to study in the city was intense but that was before I was faced with the prospect of afternoon practical lessons following a full mornings theory in the classroom.

Its often only the following morning, when through sleep my head has a chance to organise all I've absorbed, that I begin to appreciate what I've learnt. At times of course it can feel that all the new stuff is simply pushing out the old stuff, but thats inevitable with the complete immersion in the language I'm experiencing.

In this absence from updating, I've neglected to mention a visit to the Russian ballet, an experience that didn't quite match the sumptuous display of setting and sound at my first visit to the Russian opera but was nevertheless memorable. To be fair we opted for cheap student tickets and a less prestigious venue than the Mikhailovsky theatre - which was enjoying the opening of the new season and proved inaccessible at such short notice - though we took advantage of the opportunity to shift across to a better view as the lights went down. What else could we opt for than 'Swan Lake', the perfect introduction, which for me was as memorable for the music as the athletic dancing on display.

I can only conclude by saying if you're in the city, go, find a ticket vendor (lining Nevsky Prospect, they're not hard to find) and pay as much as you can afford. (Whether that's £8 or £80!) Its amazing to think the level of access that can be enjoyed here in contrast to the expense you'd find in England.

Passing for a native...

So it does look like if I just keep my mouth shut I can pass for a Russian. I barely had time to nod in agreement to the cashier - returning to the 'The State Museum of Political History of Russia' for todays practice lesson - as she asked my tutor and I if we were students, by which of course she meant Russian students, when she offered up the tickets for entry. I wasn't going to correct her and lose the free admission.

I've described my experience of this museum in a previous installment so I won't expand much further on its earlier glowing review. This trip was both an excuse to practice my Russian on the subject of the country's history and politics and a chance to finish my tour of the museums exhibitions. I'd yet to see the extensive range of artifacts on the Civil War (unfortunately lacking in the generally commendable provision of English translations found here) or Lenin's study and temporary housing of the party in the interim between the February revolution and 'July Days' of 1917 when Lenin and his fellow Bolsheviks could enjoy temporary respite from persecution. Both on the second floor they were also joined by what appeared to be a temporary exhibition on the opening month of the Second World War and the division (and destruction) of Poland by German and Soviet forces.

Returning to the theme proposed by the title of todays post, I was also introduced to an important insight into the culture of the Russian language during the mornings class. The prevalance of the 'passive construction' in every day speech - terminology that was unfortunately lost on me initially in English never mind the Russian equivalent...damn state schooling! - derives from a Russian mentality that seeks to avoid "responsibility" at every opportunity.

On a practical level this has allowed me to understand the significance of constructions such as 'можно' ("It is possible") that dominate my early experiences of the language. This extends much further though and offers the opportunity to essentially remove the subject (you or I) from the action, i.e. 'who' is responsible for 'what'. Suddenly "I want" becomes something closer to "It is desirable to me". The significance isn't immediately visible until you begin (one begins to?) to think about making demands of another Russian. "Can you close the door?" becomes "Could the door be closed, by you?" reminiscant of the convaluted ways of speech possible in the interest of English politeness.

Anyway I Googled the phenomenom after class and came up with this telling article on the logical conclusion it can reach. Revealing stuff! Unfortunately it does mean I face the prospect of an infinitely larger workload if I'm to speak like a Russian and not just look like one!

"Все для фронта, все для победы"

Yesterday I finally got to scratch my Soviet itch again! Travelling across the city by metro to the end 'Московская Проспект' we were met by Nastya for a group excursion. Aiming for what is the southern gateway into the city we were greeted by the sight of the 'Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad' (To give it its full title).

However before all that, I headed northwards just a few blocks to the site of what was to be the new central square of the city - if the Soviets had had their way and the natives not stubbornly refused to take any notice - where I finally got to see my first Lenin statue. After being presented with a wooden box when I travelled across to Finland Station back in April it was great to finally see the old man himself. He still cuts quite a dashing figure, doffing his cap to city before him.

The square in which he stands, indeed much of the surrounding area is dominated by Soviet architecture. Though I'm not sure the conversion of one of the most striking Soviet landmarks I've seen thus far into a business complex / bank stays particularly true to its socialist heritage. Ah well, the times they are a changing...

I stuck around long enough to take a few photos and admire the fountains, where yet another wedding party was stood around posing for photographs. (A regular sight this trip around the city, we were even given chance to watch a 'mock' ceremony in the Kazan Cathedral on our last excursion that apparently follows the official joining for those willing to pay for the priveledge!)

Returning to the group, the monument required just a short walk through a subway that crosses beneath the busy roundabout above. The sound of sombre classical music - which unfortunately this uncultured ear couldn't identify - fills the broken ring representing the blockades one hope for supply and evacuation during the 900 days of the siege, 'The Road of Life'. Its worth reading the history of those events in advance as there is no English translation within the small exhibition hall that accompanies the site and we were reliant on our translater to understand the significance of the artifacts in front of us. (That said, a display case containing a number of small Soviet artifacts - where one party members richochet damaged medal and anothers identity book with added bullet hole - were pretty self explanatory in understanding the chances of survival were as much a question of luck)

There is also a short video presentation - without dialogue - that provides a glimpse of the horrors of the siege and numbing effect the daily sight of the dead and dying from the effects of hunger and constant bombardment had on the population. In all it was quite an effecting visit. I'm determined to see the museum of the blockade in the centre of the city to gain a more complete picture of events.

Finally, for someone obviously interested in learning the language one interesting point raised by Nastya was the significance of the language that adorned the walls of the monument. Full of 'Soviet speak' she explained how the significance of its content and the imagery it intended to convey was all but lost to those of her generation. It is only her parents and her grandparents generation that continue to interpret those words with meaning, whereas the children born after any real impression of the Soviet regime could be made on them see them just as empty words.

...in Russia the party finds you!

After opting to chase the last bit of sunshine of the day with a run last night I returned to the apartment feeling pretty re-energised and joined a couple of my fellow students for what we thought would be a quiet drink to end the week. Forgetting it was Friday night, we sat and talked over a few drinks in one of the local bars only to be treated to a view of proceedings as the local population came to unwind after a busy week at the office.

I don't think any of us were confident enough to join the festivites at this stage in our Russian education, but the entertainment was not your average night on the tiles in the UK. At one point we were provided with a circus act in the middle of the dancefloor, our own little 'circ de soleil', with a "cloud swing" (Thank you Google) artist entertaining the crowds.

The music too was an eclectic mix, part Russian, part trashy Euro-pop, part obscure pop-culture references. The video above is from an old Soviet child's choir performing in the 70's. I remembered coming across it on YouTube when it appeared over the soundsystem and was greeted by cries of delight from the crowds. Anyway we left as the natives were probably just warming up but we may risk a return visit sometime in the future.

На здоровье!

Two steps forward one step back...

Ah the joys of Russian grammar! Attempting to get to grips with the instrumental case has set my head spinning again. Combining that with an expanded vocabulary of business terminology was just a bonus. Its these lessons where I'm looking for the smallest victory to get me through the day.

I've left feeling drained but satisfied, after all the sun is shining again and I have the weekend ahead of me. Two days without lessons will hopefully give me the opportunity to consolodate what we've covered this week and spend some time exploring the city again. I'm tempted to make use of the good weather and travel a little further afield on the metro to the parks of the northern islands.

For now I need to eat and unwind. I've no plans for the evening, managing to budget pretty well this time and save my pennies before I head back to university. Still if I can find the energy I might go for a walk through the grounds of the Winter Palace again at night. I'd love to know the calories I'm burning with all this brain activity though...

The beauty of light...

If the sun felt the need to retreat behind the clouds for much of today, its presence was definitely visible during my first introduction to the development of Russian art within the labyrinth that is 'The Russian Museum'.

I won't attempt to discuss in great detail the history or collection of this vast depository of works, the experience was far more emotive than a list of names and dates. To view these images in a semi-chronological manner unveals the distinct nature of the Russian tradition - to someone who never claimed to be a well informed art historian that is - with passing hints of a European influence that never seems to completely overshadow a move towards the fantastic expression of the beauty of light.

This is epitomised in the work of one of Russia's favourite sons, Ilya Repin, whose paintings dominate the collection from the second half of the 19th century. Alongside his contemporaries work after work shows a keenness for capturing light and the most fantastic colour. The specific names escape me - a return trip is likely after finding yet another discounted student entry - but the effect is permanent.

Religion also maintains a prominant role in the subject matter of even these more contemporary works. From this first introduction it appears that only with the arrival of Peter the Great the impetus to explore more secular themes found a market in Russia. The transition from the Byzantine-esq icons of the early period sees a leap to a more fully formed 'perspective' as the technical achievements of Western art are inherited without the same slavish addearance to classical traditions and narratives.

Instead this collection and the artists that produced it go on to offer a broad, deep and detailed view of Russian society. A multitude of figures each with their own character and stories appear across the works. The symbolism is unfortunately lost of this novice, but the chance to view life outside Western Europe is a joy.

Credit however must also go to my guide and translator Nastya, who ensured the time spent during this short afternoon's private lesson was an invaluable first introduction. The only unfortunate aspect of the trip was the closure of the collection from the Soviet period. However I can foresee this needing an eye unburdened by the aesthetic beauty of the earlier works to appreciate it on its own terms. Hopefully an opportunity will arrise later in my stay to do this.

'Blue skies and Butterflies' or 'Faith Restored'

I did not come to Russia expecting to work on my tan. Someone important must have realised I was owed my fair share of summer after another year in Oxford and decided to gift St Petersburg with some sunshine along the way.

We've had cloudless skies today, and not in the wintry, see your own breath and frost covered lawns way, but the "I should really only be wearing a t-shirt" and "If I don't move soon I swear I'm going to burn" variety. Just look at the photos...

I'd make some half-arsed comment about global warming if I weren't so glad not to see rain for a change!

Anyway, all this was a backdrop to another excursion into the city with Nastya and the group. Not particularly far afield this time round, we explored the multitude of churches (both in number and denomination) that cover Nevsky Prospect within about a ten minute walk from the metro station.

While the churches themselves were originally established under the open door policy of Peter the Great, the decisive period in recent history for them was of course the anti-religious attitude of the Soviet Union. It is amazing to see how with this shift in attitude suddenly these religious centres were turned into everything from swimming pools, to concert halls, to warehouses. Granted some of this was out of necessesity during the 'Siege of Leningrad' (which for those of you interested the anniversary of its start was yesterday) while the rest fitted with the socialist agenda of the regime.

Unlike the fading presence of the Communist Party in the city - I did happen to notice a veteren selling copies of the party newspaper outside the metro station today - religion is again a visible force in St Peterburg. However the restoration work of its earthly temples is clearly incomplete. Its worth taking a visit to the Lutheran cathedral to see the photos from its time as a local swimming pool. When you walk inside you can still almost smell the chlorine at the sight of the public benches, white walls and levelled floor that still hint at its recent watery past. You'd think they could enjoy a roaring trade in mass baptisms if they just set the tap running again...

The Roman Catholic church - damaged by fire after its conversion to an orchestra hall in the 1980's - has embraced its troubled past with the salvaged remains of its east and west alters alongside the freshly painted walls and polished stonework. In much of these churches the reliance is on copies of pre-existing iconography and artworks after their destruction by revolution or war. However, one of the most striking aspects of this church is an original alter cross lovingly salvaged and stored by one of the faithful through the duration of the Soviet regime. The dangers related to such an undertaking were significant, though it should stand as indication of the failure to wipe out religion and faith during this period in the country's history.

All in all another successful introduction to the history and culture of this fascinating city. I'm looking forward to continuing in this vain with a first trip to 'The Russian Museum' during my private lesson tomorrow.

Saw this...

...and thought of you! x

Any excuse for a celebration...or cake!

What a difference a "день" makes!

After two long, intense, brain-cell consuming lessons with my very patient teacher Katya, my hard work has paid off and I've come away from my first practical lesson feeling like I'm almost speaking the same language as everyone around me.

Another aspect of my course this time round that differs from April is the chance to meet with a tutor, Nastya, in the city and put to practice all the theory battling for space in my head. Its provided the perfect opportunity to sort the mess out and put some of it to good use. I'm not claiming fluency by a long way but in the time it took to walk from 'Dom Knigi' to a cafe off Nevsky Prospect I managed what I would almost consider a legitimate two-way conversation.

Granted I still hit more than my fair share of dead ends and had to resort to requesting a prompt, but it was only through gaining the confidence to actually consider how I could express myself with the limited vocabulary I have that I've come away acknowledging my strengths rather than just my limitations.

This for me is where I'm expecting to develop the Russian I need for basic survival in a country still pretty ill equipped to deal with foreign tourists. I'm not someone who settles for the point and smile approach (or shouting loudly and slowly as the old cliche goes...) but at times you still think you're facing a brick wall in your attempts to communicate here. Its also provided a great opportunity to ask about some of the aspects of Russian life and culture, both contemporary and 'back in the day'. Its this all round education that this trip is becoming invaluable and leads me back nicely to what how my classroom lessons are going to develop over the next two weeks...

I won't go into great detail. My interest in being here and the demands of my course when I return to university in October aren't universal, but its telling of the flexibility on offer when undertaking one-to-one tuition. Having spoken to my tutor we've laid out a plan to spend the majority of my time while I'm here looking at the skills and understanding needed to tackle Russian history. Using (basic!) historical text and the grammar related to it I can begin to improve my chances of reading primary documents and fast track my way through the next year before I need to start research. Its been a daunting prospect up till now, but a challenge I'm only going to enjoy more and more as my progress continues.

And the cake? Well, any excuse for that. Anyone finding themselves on Nevsky Prospect with a few spare roubles in their pocket needs to make a trip to 'Север' (The North) for an incredible selection of everything vaguely fattening and high in calories. Look for a blue sign with a polar bear, a few blocks from the metro heading away from the Winter Palace. Tirimasu happens to be my poison of choice and at less that 300 roubles for enough to feed an apartment full of hungry language students you really can't say "нет"!

Re-discovering the city...

I should have done this first time round. With the chance today of a guided excursion as part of my intensive crash course, I was treated to a completely fresh tour of the city. Over the course of the next two weeks with the combination of intensive one to one lessons and opportunities for practice sessions in the city itself, I'm hoping my knowledge of Russia begins to expand with a deeper knowledge of the city...

After playing at 'tour guide' and general navigator for the rest of the group - that first trip on the metro decidedly less daunting a prospect this time round - we scouted the major landmarks in the vicinity of Nevsky Prospect. (A route very reminiscant of my first visit to the city. Go with what you know I guess...) However it wasn't until we met with our tutor Nastya that the rain began to clear and we were shown a side of the city off the usual tourist track. Fantastic!

Every landmark and place of interest was new to me, after already spending two weeks in the city I'm realised how little of St Petersburg I've seen.

There is one very important thing missing however. A hand to hold. Someone to share it with. The person in fact who I shared the city with in April, the beautiful young Danish lady I got to call mine. I know my blog has been fairly clinical so far, reading it back it only hints at how incredible the last two weeks I spent here were. I can't pass up the opportunity to express how magical this city is when experienced with someone special. Forgive the sentimentality, I'm in love. x

Back on the blog...

I've just landed. About 45 minutes ago at the apartment, giving me enough time to unpack my laptop and fire off my first post. Start as you mean to go on I guess, I'm expecting the workload to be much tougher this time round (more on that later...) so I need to find time for this when I can.

Theres a slight sense of deja vu returning to a wet and grimy city. The big difference has to be the temperature though. We're in double figures (granted only the mid-teens) but for me thats going to make the trip a lot easier on the thermal front. I also noticed how much greener the city looks driving past various parks, road side flower beds and trees. I think one of my first visits will have to be the 'Summer Gardens', to see them as, well, summer gardens.

I'm in the same lodgings as before, so as the course co-ordinator Bart pointed out, not much orientation needed. Quick run to the supermarket will follow this to pick up essentials and beyond that I need fight off the sleep deprivation for as long as I can. Apparently my first excursion into the city with a tutor (again I need to explain my course setup this time round...) is tomorrow afternoon so I need to get my head into Russian all over again.

Thus far I've managed to string together a few disjointed sentences for both a Russian on my flight into 'Polkova 2' and the driver, Alexander, who was on hand to pick me up again. To be fair I also managed to convince a native into thinking I was a Russian speaker by responding with a rather well timed "pazhaloosta" in the queue for passport control, but I don't think counts. Apart from emphasising the importance of confidence when speaking. (And having your British passport tucked out of sight in your back pocket)

Anyway, here's to Russia again, to forcing some cultural development into the head of an otherwise woefully ignorant native English speaker. I've already been introduced to a couple of my fellow students, Dutch guys and as expected, in possession of impecable English. Game on!