5 weeks past the first post in Russia

Sorry for the delay in blogging. It's been busy here. I had gotten sick a week or so after posting and now I'm sick again, this time with the flu. Wonderful isn't it? Not. 

Anyway, a couple weeks after posting I went with another branch of IGLU to Olhon Island on Lake Baikal. It is the most famous and most beautiful island on Lake Baikal. I seriously wouldn't mind living there for awhile. We left the school around 8:15 am Friday morning and arrived there around 3 pm. Ate lunch and then we went on a boat tour of the lake. Got to see Shaman Rock from the water. it was beautiful!!! (you'll see that that word is most often used here, cause it's true.) Oh boy... Russians sure know how to party!!! Friday night the supervisors (the бабушки-grandmothers) made us talk about ourselves and play games till midnight around a bonfire! it was fun the first hour but after that we were tired (we meaning the Americans) and wanted to go to bed. We sneaked away feigning that we had to go to the bathroom. lol. then Saturday morning after breakfast, we went on a mini-van tour of the island. Our driver was a dare-devil. he took us on a logging road away from the others and raced up hills, past the other vans. it was both thrilling and exciting. Asians in the other mini-vans, as soon as they got out, were throwing up! their stomachs are very weak. even on the bus to the island they were trying not to throw up! but the island is absolutely beautiful!!! it really is. And Saturday night they tried it again, but this time Jessi and I stayed in our room, nice and warm, and away from them. We went to bed early, we were exhausted. the town itself was really small but it was really nice. Most Russians are friendly and helpful if you just talk to them. They may not look like it on the outside, but it's true. and also, the strays here, cats and dogs, seem happier, more well fed, and friendlier than in the USA. some of the animals will just come up to you and you can pet them to your heart's content, and with cats, you can even pick them up! they'll purr and purr, love on you and everything! they're so sweet. I wish I could take all the strays home with me! there was this one puppy on Olhon that was ADORABLE!!! it was sooo friendly and lovable. and it was half husky! I love huskies. Sunday was our free day. we had breakfast and were free to do whatever we wanted until after lunch, when we were leaving. so we went and took more pictures of Shaman Rock, and then we went souvenir looking/shopping. Didn't really find anything so we just explored the town. The bus ride home was very long. took us 4-5 hours to get back. and then when we were dropped off at IGLU, this drunk man came up to us, started talking to Max and then to each of us girls individually. he kissed our hands!! it was disgusting. thank goodness I had my gloves on! didn't feel a thing. when he got to Jessi, he said that he wanted to make her his mistress!! funny and concerning at the same time. after a few more minutes Kristin's host mom pulled up and we sneaked into the car, but she had to go rescue Max cause he couldn't get out of the conversation with him. at the time it had been creepy but now that we can look back at it, it's very funny. I got back to the dorm with 15 minutes to spare, one of the бабушки yelled at me for not telling them I was going away for a couple days. I didn't know I had to tell them that! and it was the one who is very mean to me too. The silver/white haired lady... I do not like her at all.

nothing with too much interest over the last couple of weeks to report. just doing the best I can to survive Russia. hanging out with friends, going different places, learning so much, and my Russian's still slowly improving! I understand it better in written form rather than speech still...

if you want to see the pictures I've taken in Irkutsk and just in Russia, here's a link to them: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4071808747692.2150989.1056588493&type=1&l=a144b65040

First 2 weeks in Irkutsk, Russia (Siberia)

First of all, it was a very long flight and lay over from Orlando, FL to New York to Moscow and finally to Irkutsk. 18 hours in total for the flight, not counting the layovers. There was one delayed flight, but I still got here when I was supposed to; 5 am landed, got to the dorm by 6 am. Got maybe a couple hours of sleep before getting up to take a shower, I couldn't sleep. There was no toliet paper provided, so I went without toliet paper for a couple of days...I'm finally used to the bathrooms here and the shower isn't too bad either. I met Iraida and the rest of the SRAS group at 3 pm the same day. We filled out some paperwork, had a tour around the school, and then went home. Except for me, that meant getting lost and going to another city near Irkutsk. I hadn't figured out the bus system yet and I have a horrible sense of direction. I walked for miles and spent many rubles trying to get back to the dorm. I finally called Iraida and she gave me directions back. I am never (I hope) going to get lost here ever again. Let's see... we went to Lake (or Sea, as they call it here) Baikal last Saturday, including Lisviyanka (Idk how to spell it) and that was a lot of fun. Lake Baikal is the main reason I chose Irkutsk. We're going to the local History Museum next Saturday, should be interesting. I love history. I've been skyping with my bf, Christian everyday, at least once. And now I have WiFi in my dorm so now I don't have to get up as early most days to skype! Oh. and they have Saturday classes here. I'm taking one this Saturday. Hopefully it'll be good. It's a 3rd year course, but it has some English in it, it's a translation class. I think it'll be helpful. I'm also taking a Russian Speech Etiquette class, Practical Grammar of Russian, Russian Language (of course!), and Russian Applied Art. That's just for IGLU (Irkutsk State Linguistic University), the Siberian Studies program for SRAS starts next week I believe. We're meeting with the teachers tomorrow morning and evening to discuss schedules. It'll be a history class and an ecology class on Siberia.

Till next time!
Kara

Native Russian Flowers

Baby's Breath
- often grown in border plantings and for use in fresh or dried floral arrangements.
- the most popular variety is white, but they do grow in pink and lilac.
- resistant to most insects and diseases
- blooms and flowers from late spring to early fall

Siberian Iris
- native to Eastern Russia
- blooms white or violet flowers in the early summer
- low maintannce and has few disease and insect problems

Bergenia
- native to southern Siberia
- is a tea plant
- blooms in mid winter to early spring
- can survive temperatures as low as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the occasional drought
- only grows about 2 feet in height, but its leaves are as big as a cabbage leaf

Rhododendron
- can grow to over 10 feet tall
- produces clusters of beel-shaped lilac flowers as well as different shades of pink and purple
- flowers bloom from April through June

я тебя тоже нет (Je t'aime) - Ева Польна

Lyrics in Russian:

Je T'aime...
Je T'aime...

Ты скажешь: "Кому это нужно?
Ведь можно найти любую
Без шансов на мелодрамы..."

А, я ещё молодцом и не видно
Снаружи не острую и не тупую
От этой сердечной раны...

В сердце мое войти можно без разрешения.
Стоя на полпути не прекращай движения!

Каждое слово ловлю, ни для кого не секрет.
Я тебя больше люблю, ты меня больше нет.
Каждое слово люблю, чтобы услышать ответ.
Я тебя очень люблю. Я тебя тоже нет...

Je T'aime...
Я тебя больше люблю...
Je T'aime...
Ты меня больше нет...

Я сделаю всё, как надо.
Сломай меня, если хочешь,
Без страха и без сомнения.

Ты будешь дышать свободно, я рада, -
Спасибо за этот подарок!
Он лучший на День Рождения!

Сердце насквозь пройти можно без сожаления,
Стоя на полпути не прекращай движения!

Каждое слово ловлю, ни для кого не секрет,
Я тебя больше люблю, ты меня больше нет.
Каждое слово ловлю, чтобы услышать ответ.
Я тебя очень люблю. Я тебя тоже нет...

Чтобы услышать ответ,
Каждое слово ловлю...
Mais chaque fois tu repetes:
Je t’aime, Je t’aime, moi non plus

Je T'aime...
Je t’aime, Je t’aime, moi non plus
Je T'aime...
Je t’aime, Je t’aime, moi non plus
Je T'aime...
Je t’aime, Je t’aime, moi non plus


Lyrics in English:

I love you …
I love you …

You say “Who needs this?
However, I could have any girl,
No chance to turn into serious relationship.”

But I’m still young lad and no one could see.
Obviously I’m not sharp or blunt
Because of this heart’s wounds.

Anyone could enter in my heart without permission.
Once in the midway, don’t stop, keep walking!

Every single word I catch, it’s not a secret.
I love you more, you love me no more.
Every single word I like but I hear only the answer
I love you very much. I also don’t … you.

Je T'aime...
I love you more.
Je T'aime...
You love me no more.

I’ll do everything what’s right.
Break me if you want
Without fear or doubt.

You'll breathe easier, I'm glad -
Thank you for this gift!
It’s the best for my birthday!

The heart could pass trough this without regrets.
Once in the midway, don’t stop, keep walking!

Every single word I catch, it’s not a secret.
I love you more, you love me no more.
Every single word I like but I hear only the answer
I love you very much. I also don’t … you.

To hear the answer,
Every single word I catch.
But every time you repeat:
I love you, I love you, me neither

I love you ...
I love you, I love you, me neither
I love you ...
I love you, I love you, me neither
I love you ...
I love you, I love you, me neither


I actually like this song better in Russian than in English. It sounds better, smoother and more lyrical.

Russian superstitions

Some supersititions that are different that are done in Russia:

- On examination day, it is bad luck to make your bed, wear anything new, or cut your fingernails.
- If one person accidentally steps on another person's foot, it is common for the person who was stepped on to lightly step on the foot of the person who stepped first. It is said that they thus avoid a future conflict.
- It's good luck to trip on your left foot.

Some "Cause and Effect" superstitions:

- If your ears or cheeks are hot, someone is thinking or talking about you.
- If your right eye itches, you're going to be happy soon. If your left eye itches, you'll be sad.
- If your lips itch, you'll be kissing someone soon.
- If you wear clothes (such as an undershirt) inside out, you will get beaten. Your friend should point this out, wait for you to fix the clothes and then punch you symbolically.

Russian National Orchestra

The Russian National Orchestra premiered in Moscow of 1990 and has been in demand all over the world ever since. They were the first Russian orchestra to perform at the Vatican and also in Israel. RNO keeps an active international tour schedule and they also feature many different conductors and solists of different origins and ethnicities.

Я вас любил - Пушкин

Я вас любил: любовь ещё, быть можетВ душе моей угасла не совсем;
Но пусть она вас больше не тревожит;
Я не хочу печалить вас ничем.
Я вас любил безмолвно, безнадежно,
То робостью, то ревностью томим;
Я вас любил рак искренно, так нежно,
Как дай вам бог любимой быть другим.


The translation reads:

I loved you once: perhaps that love has yet
To die down thoroughly within my soul;
But let it not dismay you any longer;
I have no wish to cause you any sorrow.
I have loved you wordlessly, without a hope,
By shyness tortured, or by jealousy.
I loved you with such tenderness and candor
And pray God grants you to be loved that way again.

Personally, I like it better in Russian. it just feels so much better than when you translate it to English.

I think that all of us have experienced what Pushkin is saying in this poem.

Russian singer Vitas!!

The lyrics are very moving and thought provoking.

His full name is Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachyov but his stage name is Vitas. He was born in Daugavpils, Latvia on February 19, 1981 and was raised in Odessa, Ukraine. Vitas was discovered by Sergey Pudovkin and invited him to Moscow based soley on his acting, but he had not heard Vitas' voice yet. He made his debut with Opera No. 2 in Russia in December 2000. He was notable because of his energetic and surprisingly high-pitched vocals. Vitas performed his concert program, Philosophy of Miracle at the State Kremlin Place on March 29, 2002; he was the youngest artist to perform a solo concert there. He tours around Russia, as well as the entire world, bringing his mysteriousness and enchantment to all those that see him. I have definitely been enchanted by him and his voice. Vitas is indeed married to a Svetlana and they have one child so far.

Typical Russian Weddings

In a typical Russian wedding, the groom arrives at his bride's home with his closest friends and pays a 'ransom' for the bride. A ransom would typically include: honey, candy, reading a poem, dancing, singing, etc. but he would only have to do this if he answered a question wrong about his bride. After that is done, they all would ride down to the department of public services or "ZAGS" to register their marriage. Now marrying religiously is an option, but not required since Russia does not recognize it as official. Afterwards, it is customary for the newlyweds and their close friends to go see the sights and have a few drinks for about 2-3 hours then they go to the wedding reception. At the wedding reception it is all fun and games. Literally. There is tons of drinking, drinking games, and games I have no clue what they're called! In the video. There is this one game where someone walks as fast as they can around a plate with their finger on it and then when they lift their finger off of it, they keep on spinning and run into people or people try (and usually fail) to catch them. I think that that looks like so much fun!!! A wedding reception last about 2-3 days and it is full of fun, games, drinking, eating, and sleeping by everyone.

Top Song in Russia (for now)

The artist is Elka, and when I first heard the song it seemed happy and bouncy! and once I looked up/translated the lyrics, it was indeed happy and bouncy, literally! and also very colorful.


Russian Lyrics:

На большом воздушном шаре
На большом воздушном шаре

Куплет первый:
Мы с тобой возьмём мешков с песком побольше
Чтобы дольше быть поближе к метео
Мы с тобой возьмём мешков с песком побольше
Сбросим их на пляжи южных берегов

Припев (2 раза):
На большом воздушном шаре
Мандаринового цвета
Мы с тобой проводим это лето

Куплет второй:
Будь готов летать мы будем очень долго
Миллионы песен с высоты споём
Мы с тобой закрасим небо в ярко синий
Чтобы выделяться выгодно на нём

Припев.

На большом воздушном шаре



English Lyrics:

On a large balloon
On a large balloon

Verse One:
We are with you take the sandbags more
To be closer to the long weather
We are with you take the sandbags more
Dropping them on the beaches of the southern shores

Chorus (2 times):
On a large balloon
Tangerine color
We're holding this summer

Verse Two:
Be ready to fly we will be very long
Millions of songs to sing high
We paint the sky with you in a bright blue
To stand out favorably for him

Chorus.

On a large balloon

Russian Childhood Stories: Princess Frog

When I first saw the title, I thought it was going to be kind of like the American story: The Princess and the Frog. But as I was reading it, it was nothing like that story! It was very different from what I expected. The story is about three princes, they make a bow and shoot an arrow into the world and the maiden who brings back their arrow, they shall marry him. The eldest marrys a prince's daughter, the middle marrys a general's daughter, and the youngest marrys a frog because the arrow was shot into a marsh. (It gets even better!). The king sets three challenges or tasks to his new daughter-in-laws. He wanted to find out which one was the better seamtress, the better baker, and the better dancer. The youngest's wife excels in all the tasks. How you ask? well, you need to read the story! you can find it here: http://russian-crafts.com/russian-folk-tales/princess-frog.html  . In any case, the youngest prince sets out to find his wife after a year because he burned the frog skin. He went from the youngest sister's house to the eldest's house. At the eldests' house, he saved his wife from marrying someone else and they went back to Rus.