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...