Easter!

Munich is a big Catholic town. It is no question that Easter is quite the big deal here. So, in honor of all the peeps and cadbury eggs, we got a whopping two days off work, to make a grand total of 4 days off. It was awesome! Since we had a little time on our hands, we thought we'd go do it up in Venice... unfortunately men plan and god laughs.. Instead, we decided to take a tour of a few parts of Bavaria, and even venture out to Austria (Salzburg). Our Easter consisted of a lot of super cute towns, medieval villages, castles, churches, monks and MOZART! Über Awesome!

We spent our first day at Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle -two of the three Kind Ludwig II built during his reign as king of Bavaria. You will notice that Neuschwanstein is actually quite familiar... especially if you fancy Disney. Yep, it was the castle that Walt Disney used as his inspiration for the big Disney castle. How can I describe this... I am not a big Disney fan, I can't deny that it's culturally relevant, and like some of the movies, but eh... you know how it is.. However, we all have gone to Disney and seen the castle in the distance. Gawked at it and drove our parents insane for them to "TAKE ME TO THE CASTLE SO I CAN GO INSIDE", only to have our hopes destroyed when you realize that you can't go in because its got a bunch of storage crap inside and in the middle it's just an empty walk way. That, after finding there is no: Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus is the third big lie that jades children. PARENTS BE WARNED. So, visiting the castle AND GOING INSIDE, was like a fucking dream come true for that little part of me that died when I was 6.

The castle is, well, a castle. It is up on a mountain and it is a hike to get to it, maneuver when you're in it, and... away from it. It is not gigantic like a palace -its a castle. And, it was never finished. But, despite this, I found it to be super great. I loved it. Like FOR REAL. It's all furnished in wood and gold. It's got marble and tapestries, just like you always thought. The only crappy thing is that you're not allowed to take pictures inside of the castle. Trust me, those harpies that work there are always watching to come down on smart ass tourists who try to snap away. I did manage to get ONE picture inside, right before the yelling of "EXCUSEME MA'AM, NO PICTURES, NOOO PICTURES INSIDE THE CASTLE!!!!" began.

Here is Linderhof (from the outside duh)





And here is Neuschwanstein





The Next Day! We took a train to Salzburg -birthplace of Mozart. BOY, will they never let anyone forget him. Anywhere you turn.. there he is. Kind of like how our tour guide was totally obsessed with The Sound of Music, and kept pointing out where shots of the movie were filmed. Here's a couple of pics.





The third day and the fourth day... well, I don't have pictures of that edited yet. Because I'm a lazy ass... So.. Stay tuned?

Double Decker!!

I know it's been quite a while since my last post. It's May for cryin' out loud.. Anyway, Munich has been absolutely fantastic, and so has the agency. We've been quite busy, but managed to hop on one of those big double decker busses and toured the town. It is just gorgeous!

Here are a few snaps I managed to take:

My Fist Real Beergarden!

So our unit decided to go to a Beergarden! It was the first time at a REAL Beergarden, and OMG it was just fantabulous! We also learned that saying "Das Boot" is a retarded Americanism that needs to stop. The actual translation of Das Boot is "the boat". You want to talk about an actual boot? Call it Der Stiefel. Anyway, here are some pictures...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

So, we live in the actual agency. Let me clarify. The agency is about two buildings for business and one building for residences. It's a compound with a nice little hanging out area in the middle. Think of it as a Melrose Place layout -sans pool. It's really nice. But then again, Munich is a very good looking city.

So, our commute is like, two minutes. Unfortunately, Alex and I are not rooming together. I am on the 2nd floor, and she is on the ground floor. Each "unit" has a kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry room (minus washing machine) and it has three bedrooms. Basically it's kind of like a dorm. It's actually genius. The people who are new and have no place to stay live in the dorm, until they can find a place. I've heard that finding a place here is really hard. So it's pretty great to have a place like this. PLUS, you get to know your fellow co-workers (you wouldn't other wise, since there's about 800 people working here -we hear).

The work day starts between 8-9, not later. There are meetings that go on at 9. Once you go inside, you actually gauge the sheer massiveness of the agency. It is HUGE and really awesome. With so many people, it's gotta be. We waited and were greeted by our contact and she got us to where we were supposed to be. The agency is divided into units, because it is just so HUGE -did I mention it was huge? cos IT IS.

So far it's been freaking' awesome. We've gone on a small tour, and met everyone in the unit. So far It's been loud, it's been funny, it's been friendly, and, we've been given ideas of actual work stuff to do when we find ourselves with "nothing to do". It's been a really great first impression. Lets see what the rest of the quarter brings.

We managed to go out and take some pictures last night (it was raining on Monday). We didnt take a lot, we were mostly getting our bearings..

THE IN-BETWEEN

For some reason, this trip was way worse for me. I don't know why. I think I was just sad I had to say goodbye and I was tired. Bad mix.

All I've got to say is, American Airlines sucks. My flight was delayed, and disturbingly uncomfortable. If you can, use British Airways on trans-atlantic flights. When I finally got to Barajas in Madrid (AKA one of the coolest airports) I was a little late, but I managed to do some damage at Zara. Man, I loved it.

I'll have you know that haven't smelled an airport like Barajas before. That's right, SMELLED. I don't know if it was the city seeping in, or the actual air fresheners there (they'd have to be massive), but all I could smell was incense, like the one you smell at church. It was amazing, truly awesome. It actually made me super sad that my layover was not long enough to get out and explore. This was a first.

Then! horror of horrors, my IBERIA flight to Munich was EVEN MORE DELAYED (not enough to warrant an outing, but just enough to annoy me). I tell you, whoever comes up with a teleportation device will be heralded as a real traveler's saint, forget about St. Christopher.

I got to the Munich airport later than expected. I walked around a bit and had some lunch/dinner. I had some time to kill before I could actually show up at the flat (no one would be there until like 7), and I was not about to walk around the city with my luggage. When the time rolled around, I got myself a cab and barreled down the autobahn towards the city.

My cab driver was awesome. Pricey, but awesome. He showed me as much as he could on my way and was a major help with my luggage. I spent the rest of my evening arranging my stuff and watching some German television. I actually have a TV! I never wanted to watch the new Hawaii Five O before, but now I totally do.

So far (one day) I've had a great time. Lets hope the rest of the 11 weeks live up to this first impression.

Travel break? What travel break?

My week home was not a break in the least. My errands and arrangements really took precedent during the few days I spent at home. I was barely there, and I still didn't get everything done. I know I was supposed to meet with some of you guys during this interim, but it was truly impossible. I was really only able to hang out with those I refer to as "my home" (Juan and my family). But hey, I will be back in July for 3 months! While it was amazing to see them again, it kind of made me miss them a lot while I was there, it doesn't make sense, but I did. It was also a lot harder to say goodbye this time. But, such is life.

This trip, I'm not taking much stuff. One suitcase and that's it. Thank goodness for dresses. Also, I cut my hair off. All of it. It's in its bob incarnation.

The Bitter End

I think I left off at St. Petersburg? Yes, I did. I have to say, that after you've been in Moscow for a long time, a visit to St. Petersburg is a very refreshing change of pace. To many Europeans, it's not a big deal. St. Petersburg looks just like any other European city. I totally understand. However, just that fact. The fact that it is JUST LIKE any European city, is WHY it's so refreshing, and why everyone makes a big deal about it. It was wonderful. Truly.

Anyway, when we returned to Moscow we were greeted by the usual rush of the city and it's inhabitants. We missed St. Pete -a lot. In fact our first contact with Moscow after our vacation was not a pleasant one. General rudeness was all over the place, perhaps it was the hour? It was so late, that it was early. Or, had it become just much more evident because of St. Petersburg? Regardless, by then we were not in the mood for any of it and made up our minds then and there that we were done. Done with the whole lot of it. St. Petersburg had spoiled us, and now it was over. We were eagerly awaiting our departure.

Don't mess with cranky, travel weary women.

We made our way to the Kremlin and Red Square one last time on our last weekend. We wanted to take pictures and buy souvenirs. I'll say it again, St. Basil is not as big as everyone thinks it is. Check it out (but the rest are on flickr)...



We spent the week working on posters and projects and then, just like that -it was over. We had our One on One's and then, we all exited the city.

*Word to the wise, the Kiev airport is gheettooooo and a logistical nightmare, BEWARE. *

Two of us decided to travel together to the U.S. (I had to come back and arrange some things). By the time we got to Kennedy airport we were exhausted of lugging our gigantic coats and all the other accouterments of the Siberian cold. Then, it happened.

People actually started to notice us. People started to actually TALK to us, SMILE at us. We began overhearing conversations that we understood. We found ourselves actually listening in on things, however trivial and retarded they might have been, just for the simple pleasure of understanding. My tiny outburst of "WHAT! ANOTHER SET OF GODAMMED FUCKING STAIRS?!" actually drew smirks and looks, I was not used to this. Being understood. We actually had to filter what came out of our mouths now. Until then, since no one understood, there was really no need. You should have heard our conversations. Fun times.

Once I was home, I was the chattiest customer at every store. Why NOT talk to the clerks?!?!

Looking back now, it was an experience. I learned so much from it, chief among them: "Don't be an asshole" , "Don't be a little bitch." and "Pay attention to people". Other people haven't gotten to that lesson yet, lets hope they get it before they die. Also, creative departments ARE supposed to be loud. Just in case anyone was wondering.

IF I had to do it over again, I would. But, I would go about things very differently. Still, I don't regret anything. I also met a lot of cool people, people that hopefully I will stay in touch with. So yeah, over all, it was something you had to live through to understand, and I am very glad I did. :)

Next on my stop: München, The capital of Bavaria in Deutschland -in the spring. THIS is going to be fan-fucking-tasctic!

Stay tuned...

St. Petersburg

Despite my constant, yet not very forceful attempts at avoiding germs, I have become sick. I think I caught it on the overnight train from St. Petersburg to Moscow. My bunk mate (above me) was disgustingly sick and coughed all over the place. I can just imagine the shower of germs I was subjected to during my sleep.

I hate that guy.

Moscow vs. St. Petersburg: St. Pete wins without even stepping into the ring. It’s like that. Lots of things to see. Lots of stuff to do. I'd say you need about a good 7 days in st. pete to see the over-all "tourist" stuff, and then a few more days to go under the covers. It's cool. Very cool.

We really really loved that town, the only issue were the icicles. The weather is getting a little warmer (30F instead of -9F) and shit is starting to melt. The streets are filled with people running from building to building looking up trying to avoid the death from above. Funny but frightening.

Here's a pic. The rest are on flickr.

SUNDAY -M is for Metro!

This weekend was indeed quite productive and not just in the "we saw the sights" kind of way -but who wants to talk about work?

Anyway, after our Lenin adventure, we decided to venture out to an outdoor market. We really didn't take the weather into account or realize: coldest weekend evar = not so great idea to go to an open air market. But whatevs, we went. We took the metro all the way to, god knows where. I just know it was seven stations away from our home base at Smolenskaya. The metro is not that bad, for the second most used/crowded system on the planet (Japan's being the first). It's also quite organized and clean (cleaner than New York -for sure).

The market was quite interesting, but it was mostly full of souvenirs and USSR themed novelties. The constructivist posters were pretty cool! I got one for my brother. Here's an artsy shot of the market, that doesn't really show the market:


We walked and walked until our fingers and toes hurt again and then made our way to the very heated mall right next door and had some lunch (there always seems to be a mall around). On our way back home, we decided to stop at almost every metro station and shoot some pictures. The stations are really something you have to see. Each one is different and beautiful. However, after shooting half of the stations, we noticed that there were more police scanning about, and watching us very closely because we had cameras. We were told (not by the police, but by someone we ran in to that we knew) to stop. Russian police will usually stop people, ask them for their papers and then want money in return. So, we sneaked on to a few more platforms ready to be all spy-like, took some shots and went on our merry way home. Here are some pics. The rest are on my flickr. (they are all different stations)







I for one, was quite exhausted when we got home. We walked a lot. Gah, A LOT. We still have some more places to visit so.. yeah.. I'll keep you all posted!

Well Hello Mr. Lenin!

Finally another post! I've been "busy". BUT! we finally made it to St. Basil and the Lenin Mausoleum. It was the coldest day we've seen since we got here it was like, -20F. It was really bad. BUT! We really enjoyed our time there. The square is pretty big, but it is smaller than you imagine. St. Basil is smaller than you imagine it to be as well. But it's still an amazing piece of architecture. We obviously don't have pictures because you are not allowed even a cellphone inside the mausoleum and, that was our main purpose at the square. We really didn't feel like leaving our stuff with the people at one of the boots, so, the pictures of St. Basils will have to wait for another time. Inside the tomb, it's all dark and scarcely lit. There are guards stationed everywhere. You go in, in a line, and just keep moving. You aren't allowed to gawk about or explore. As the line moves, so do you. If you linger too long, then one of the guards comes up to you and tells you to move. It's got this "kindergarten field trip to the museum" kind of feel to it, also, you're not really supposed to talk, as the guy is kind of a big deal.

As for the man himself, like St. Basil's, you have this larger than life idea about political figures. However, he was quite small/short. I suppose we're all used to thinking of big gruff revolutionaries thanks to Stalin, Castro, Guevara, but Lenin looks like he was a gentleman. He may or may not have been, in life (I really don't know, I havent really studied him), but lying there he looks like he was quite delicate. In the dark tomb his glass coffin is the only thing extremely well lit and you are quickly ushered out. As you walk out, you can see the graves of other Soviet leaders including Joseph Stalin. Each grave is marked by a plaque and a very large bust of the man buried there. It was an experience.

By the time we left the Mausoleum/Necropolis our toes and our fingers were hurting from the cold. The time spent in the tomb is so fast, you don't even have time to thaw out half way. Luckily for us the GUM (which is now a mall) is right across in the square and we spent most of our time de-frosting walking around the mall and having lunch. We left, tried to go to the Puskin museum, but there was some serious line and no real indication that they were letting anyone in even though it was like, 3PM.

Nothing To Do With Moscow

Soo... I decided to give my brother the Chili Pepper's entire discography for his bday, cos I'm an awesome sister like that. I love the Chili Peppers, a lot. But, you know when you listen to a band practically all week long non-stop and you start to get that sickly feeling in your gut and insane feeling in your mind? yes, well. That's how I feel right now. After cataloging, fixing, sequencing etc. I've been on a massive binge. The last time this happened was with The Police one summer when I was in college/undergrad. I stopped listening to them for quite a long time after that.... I dont think I even have those guys on my itunes... Lets hope this goes away.. their catalog is much larger than The Police, and they're so much more fuuun... Sigh, I have no one to blame but myself. I keep listening.


Red Hot Chili Peppers Fight Like A Brave
Загружено blood-sugar. - Смотри больше видео клипов в HD качестве!

The Armory

This weekend, we finally made our way up to the Kremlin Armory. We didn't go into the square, but are planning to go back and take pictures of the outside (you're not allowed to take pictures inside the buildings, so those of you waiting for a picture of Mr. Lenin are out of gas). About the stuff inside, everything is obviously ostentatious and bedazzled, this is Russia. However, what shocked me the most were not the insane thrones, or Peter the Great's crazy baby crib.. no. It was the carriages. OH MY GOD THE CARRIAGES. People think that they have pimp cars now, But these babies would put any would be pimp to shame. Seriously. I was really taken a back by all the amazing craftsmanship. WOW. This is my favorite one (I found the picture online):


It looks great, but the picture really doesn't even do it an iota of justice. Gah. SICK! Anyway, we really need to go back, and then I'll share those oh-so expected St. Basil pictures. We're also planning to start planning our trek to St. Petersburg -Awesomeness... (yes we plan to plan here, so what?)

Another thing I must comment on because it is really rad (ish) is: Russian Security Guards. Russia has the awesomest security guards ever. These guys do not wear fake mall cop outfits that inspire ridicule from passers by like back home, no. These guys all wear... SUITS. Yes folks. Suits, all of them. I believe, that this is a stroke of genius. Seriously. There is nothing more intimidating than a completely stone-faced well-dressed man hovering around the door/produce isle to keep people in check. No guns or other odd accouterments necessary. These guys look like they can fuck someone up with just a glance. Awesome.

I'm also kind of missing the U.S. mostly, I miss being able to over hear conversations and to just get my point across without any wild hand gestures. God I miss that. Oh, and my hair dryer and hair iron. I really miss them, a lot.

Beet the Terror

I think it took me too long to post this. But I'm doing it now, so. We're alive! and we're fine. Moscow is really calm, and you really wouldn't know there were to attacks on Russian soil by how people are acting in the streets (the second attack wasnt even near Moscow so). They have beefed up train security though. A lot.

Everyone is of the same mind here, that this can happen anywhere. Lets not be dramatic. And to anyone who is thinking of traveling to Moscow: Before coming here, I heard all the same things, over and over. But you know what, It's not that bad people. It's expensive as fuuuuu, and things take fore eveerrr. But it's not that bad. Relax. LOL we're not in Egypt -okay, that was a bad joke. But you get what I mean.

It's a bad thing that happened, and I hope the kremlin can do it's thing. But there's turmoil the world over. So if you want to be safe, stay home. But even then, you run the risk of a home invasion...

In other news. We finally tried Borscht!


Oh my gah it was delicious! and with sour cream it's even better. Sweet sweet delicious borscht! With beets and meat YUM!

Anywho, this weekend -Red Square! hopefully...

Fridays at the Office

Friday!! See you Monday!

Walk

Arbat street! Super super cute!

Cold Cold

9F/-13C

You know, Celsius does make more sense. Also, I think I might be coming down with something. My throat is super scratchy.. nasty. Anyway, here are some more pictures of the agency for your enjoyment. It truly is a very cool place.

Outside the office



Bathroom



and then Drinks (and some coffees, there's always coffee)!


Yeah, that's all about I've got for today. I'll have more towards the end of the week. Right now, I gotta get back to looking for my class assignment. Anyway, there's more pictures on Flickr!

MOAR Moscow

I have yet to take a picture of the outside of our office building (it's pretty!) But here are snippets from my day:

This is our lovely work area, complete with foosball table, where my team lost badly to Moritz and Lane.. It's okay tho, we're just calculating our next move...


I was told that by adding this picture, I make seem worse than it is. This is true. The "snowed in" feeling is because we're in a basement like area and I was looking out and up. It's really not like this at all, but it messes with you doesn't it??!


Okay, I'm only adding this picture because I can totally read the Cyrillic in the background! I actually started to learn the alphabet. Woo!


This is basically the street we live on, but a few more city blocks down LOL! apparently we live around the area where all the government/consulates and what not are in, so it's super safe. Lighting wise, it's kind of like the Las Vegas strip but more serious.


AND THIS! is some super important government building. I dont know what it is. But it's massive and super bad-ass looking. I couldn't capture it all, It was ginormous.


Anyway, that's what I've seen so far, mostly on our excursion to get food/find a supermarket/get a phone place. I really can't wait to see more, especially this weekend! Ok, back to work, back to work...

MOSCOW!

First Impressions

I was not going to start a new blog, buut, who needs old blog clutter?? right??

Anyway, we arrived in Moscow about a day or two ago. It's been hard to keep track of time over here. I blame the 8 hour time difference. So far the culture shock hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I kept hearing awful "backwards" stories that scared me to death. Buut, I dont know. I can only compare it to Barranquilla/Cartagena and the U.S -therefore Russia lands somewhere in between. I would understand feeling as if it were super backwards if a. you're a snob or b. only been to super developed nations. But it's pretty developed if you ask me. Then again, what do I know, I've only been here two days. The only really big issue is the language. Like, fucking huge ass issue. I've gotta get on that ASAP. But the people are nice and are usually willing to see your whole flailing arm sign language routine and try to help.

As for food, I've only been to two restaurants here, first a Mediterranean one. While they did have Mediterranean food, it was more like, a hodgepodge kind of Mediterranean Russian version. Like, most of the meals came with fries -not very Mediterranean (you know, like some restaurants in South America). And although Moscow can be expensive, this restaurant wasn't so bad. Then a Ukrainian cuisine one, it was not bad. Unfortunately, I went with a safe "chicken kiev". But next time! Borscht! The key word at Russian restaurants though, is: Patience. The food gets there, when it gets there. If you have somewhere to go, eat fast or have them pack it up.

We also don't have internet at home -yet. The connectivity withdrawal has been awful. I usually try to not be online as much as others I know, but even so, I realized I'm so much more dependent on technology than I ever thought. It's been an interesting experience thus far. But I can easily say that up to now, I like Moscow. The weather is freezing, but manageable since everyone has heater, so it's either super hot or super cold (although I hear it's not as cold as it usually gets and it's -20, Bummer!). Anyway, I leave you with a look through my room's balcony:


wooo! I think I'll be able to keep this blog up. So, stay tuned!