First off I MISS EVERYONE SO MUCH and second I'm sorry it took so long to get a post up.
These past 5 days have been so so busy for me! I have barely any down time, but it's been so much fun.... I have seen alot of things so far. When I arrived in Vladivostok my host family took me to a summer camp in the woods where my school was having orientation. I stayed there for two days before going to Nakhodka.
When my family dropped me off at the camp called Shmar, I was told I had to only take enough clothes that would fit into my carry on. Well if you know me you know I like to overpack and always have lots of clothes with me. My carry on is small though and only fit two pairs of jeans, four or five t-shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, two sweaters, a pair of boots, a scarf, and two pairs of shorts. I later realized I forgot pajamas, underwear, and socks along with other basic toiletries like razors. Some of the kids at the camp spoke english and others didn't, but they all were really nice. I had the worst case of jetlag though and they thought that I was bored with them, but really I was so tired I could barely move. On the third day I was there they told us in a half an hour we were leaving to go to Nakhodka... a city about 4 hours away. We took a taxi and then a bus with a Russian women who spoke no english... it was terrible. I found out the hard way that men in Russia smell because they do not wear deoderant and the ride was super bumpy. The roads here are terrible and everyone drives like maniacs. When we got to Nakhodka we ate at a chinese restureant where we met Tatiana... the most amazing women I have ever met (besides my mom). Tatiana can make anyhing happen at anytime, she has so many connections and is liked by alot of people. So while we were in Nakhodka we were fed often and always were doing something.
Nakhodka is beautiful! It's right on the bay and I just love it there. We got to do so many things because Tatiana is simply amazing. We went to a diferent resturante for every meal and we went sight seeing alot and got a tour of Diamond... which is one of the best clubs in this part of Russia. To go to Diamond we needed "nice clothes", which I didn't have. So we had to go shopping for dresses and heels. The fashion in Russia is very "special".... Everything is super tight, super short, and very shiny and in your face. So shopping was verrry interesting.
Already I feel like I am learning alot of Russian, but not enough. I still don't understand alot, but I can get by for now. The Russian language is a body lanuguage for sure and everyone talks with there hands. It is so complicated though! Everyword get smooshed together when they talk. Russian people are very nice and have lots of "Russian Energy". The kids I have met so far are crazy. They are just so full of energy and always excited and happy and laughing.
The food here is so so so good. I love everything I had tried. They eat alot of cabages and meats and breads, but everything is so tasty... I have a feeling I will gain alot of weight. Russians love tea. They drink tea with every meal and they hardley ever drink water... when they do it's carbonated. You have to search very hard to find regular water in stores.
So today was my first full day at my host family's apartment. It's soo nice! I share a room with my host sister Masha, but she sleeps on the couch. I told her I could sleep there, but she sad no. The have a little dog whose name is "Doo-sa", which is spelled completely wrong but that's how it is prnounced. My host mom used to be a pediatrician but now just helps outher husband in the store they own. Currently I have a terrible cold and Lena is giving me lots of medication and vitamins. I also have internet in my house!!! Which I am so so so happy about. Tomorrow is the firstday of school and I am really nervous.... Eleonora (my principal) is very intimitdaing. I hope everything goes okay. Masha also informed me ater school we were taking a bus to the cinima with her friends from scool for Vikka's birthday. Margaux and I will have a fun time trying to listen to the english in the backround haha.
If you would like to see pictures of my trip go to my facebook www.facebook.com/gabiran and they are under the album "from Russia with love".
Once again so sorry it took so long to update.... I will try to do one every three or four days. Oh and Betz, email me how many push-ups I owe :P Alexa told me you were bugging her for a update haha.
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