I have a break from school this week, which I have decided is a mixed blessing. It is nice to have free time, but too much time makes me think more than I should, which has lead to some homesickness. Yesterday I went to the center so that I could look around and became very overwhelmed with the intensity and size of this city, all there is to see and my inablity to do it all this week. So I sort of gave up seeing it all in a week. I live here, right? I decided to relax and let life come at me. I did get to see the outside of the Bolsoi Theater, and I wandered around to Red Square, which is about a ten minute walk from my house. I live in the coolest part of this city. I am one lucky girl!!!
But like I said, I have had too much time to think without work. I finished reading Jewel, an Oprah book, last night, and it is about a woman’s life and her growing old with her family. It made me miss mine and my friends. So, in a total work of God, after a difficult night, I opened my email this morning to read around 30 emails from family and friends. You guys are the greatest. Thanks for keeping up with me, for filling me in on your days, and sharing your hearts with me. It makes these cold mornings a bit easier, and helps me to start with a smile!
I have decided the hardest thing that I see everyday in this city are the bums on the street. There are many of them that live in the underground street crossings. Today, at noon, it was -3 C. That means at night it is even colder. I don’t know how these people live. There is man who lives in one of the walkways who doesn’t have any legs beneath his knees. I see him moving to keep warm, but I don’t know how he leaves the place ever. There aren’t very many disabled people here at all, at least not ones that you see. Nor are there old people. So when I see grandmothers in the metro begging, my heart drops into my stomach. When I see old men, it drops further. I can’t help but wonder all that these people have seen in their lifetime. Just think, if one of these people were born in 1920, he or she would have lived through two world wars, the rise and fall of communism, and may live to see world war three. And most men probably fought in the wars. Wow. That is more than most of us will ever know, or could ever dream of knowing. And these old people keep on keeping on . . . Walking in the cold of the streets, selling fruit they grow at their dachas in the country. These people really amaze me.
Like the fact that it costs a lot to live here...much more than I expected. My housing is paid for, so my expenses are mostly food and other necessities. But they cost a lot! Of course, I probably spend more than most Russians because I buy American imports. But I deserve the treats sometimes! Anyway, my point is the way people live here, in the cold, with a high cost of living, little pay. . .it is truely amazing!
Keep your letters coming...emails or real mail...they take a while to get here but hopefully they will come! My contacts with home are a huge blessing.
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