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!