Seven days
Wednesday, August 3rd
Seven days from now, I’ll be back in America. Just seven days. The days have been long and the weeks short. I’ll have to start packing soon. I need to buy souvenirs for the family and Sean. I need to study a bit for my final tests. And I need to memorize Kalinka before we sing it for our professors next week…
Next week. I’ll be able to drive my car, play with my dog, walk to the beach, and understand what people are saying to me next week.
That’s so WEIRD!
It’s a bittersweet feeling. I’m looking forward to being reunited with my family and friends…but I don’t want to leave SPB just yet. If only I could just transport all of you here instead…that would be ideal.
Anyways. In the past two months I have accomplished the following things:
· Successfully entered more cathedrals than I ever have in my life without bursting into flames.
· Taken three gypsy cabs without having a weapon of any sort pulled on me.
· Danced my ass off until six in the morning. Several times.
· Eaten more meat than in my entire life.
· Suffered more bug bites than I thought physically possible.
· Listened to Skrillex in a Carl’s Jr.
· Drank beers in front of some of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen.
· Drank more vodka than I ever wanted to.
· Saw Lenin.
· Saw the entire Hermitage.
· Got beaten with a branch while naked.
· Beat someone else with a branch while naked.
· Redefined my idea of “rudeness”
· Gained a new appreciation for the politeness and attractiveness of American men.
· Learned to recognize the difference between someone who’s learned Anglican or American English as their second (or third) language.
· Met some amazing people whom I’ll never forget.
· Felt more alone than I ever have.
· Got in one car accident.
· Took part in one drunken fight club.
· Took two river boat cruises
· Missed shark week.
· Been SMI’d on seven times.
· Eaten tongue.
· Watched Archer and King of the Hill mercilessly make fun of Russians. In Russian.
· Saw one bear, several monkeys, and three parrots.
· Been groped on the metro twice.
· Celebrated four birthdays, including my own.
· Had the time of my freaking life.
This may be my last blog post from the trip, but I’ll try to get one more up before I depart. A special thanks to my parents for enabling me to run away halfway across the globe, and a thanks to all of my friends for supporting me the whole way. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to come home to.
