It has to be said that when people spoke about the freezing weather in Russia...they lied. It's worse. Think about the coldest you've ever been and then double it- you're still no where near. However, it adds to the challenge of the adventure...which has been incredible so far. Day one and I can already feel my eyes widening. Whether that's from the shock of the cold or not, we shall see. Here are a few things we have learnt so far:
1) Russian people like tomato juice...
unless that was just the Russian people on the plane but the air hostesses certainly went through enough boxes of it.
2) All the pavements are slippery. I found this out very quickly while dragging my 29.1kg bag behind me and found my face very close to the pavement, which brings me to the next point...
3) The people aren't as bad as they are made out to be. A kind man helped me up from the floor and we've met some more along the way. There are a couple people who can speak English and are friendly and helpful. If they can't speak English, they just kind of pretend you don't exist. Haha.
4) It is socially accpetable to stare at others. We are constantly being stared at which could be because we're very loud compared to everyone else, or we are constantly cursing the cold or maybe we just look weird to everyone else. Either way we are apparently fascinating. In a coffee shop today- we were the entertainment. However! It makes life easier to stare back at the people because I guess they are rather different looking.
4) There is no being scared of heights in Russia. The escalaters are like a free lift up to the Monument. Its scary steep, but its incredible.
5) Being polite is nice, but you can keep it as it won't get you home. I attempted to use my well-taught manners in the Metro and was almost left behind. Maree and Jackie were pulling me into trains and pushing me through doors. Thank goodness for rude friends ;)
6) Time is not wasted. Its not walking, its running and if you really want to save some more time, you can always run up and down the escalaters in the Metro, there is a running lane for your convenience. We ran for our lives across a 12 lane road as the little green man does not stick around. Needless to say, we are going to have amazing legs and be bikini ready by the time we get home.
7) Learning Russian will be very helpful. To function in everyday life here, its going to be a necessity. Our first challenge for survival handed out by Dean was to buy our Metro tickets. We wrote the number 60 and showed it to the lady behind the glass, much to her amusement. Apparently we're not only fascinating, but offer a laugh or two along the way.
8) Marees feet do not fit in Moscow. Upon purchasing our new attire (hence the wiping at the station), they did not have Marees shoe size because her feet are too big. She was made to try on the ugliest pair of orange and brown men shoes, but decided against those. We're sending her home.
9) Bomber jackets are allowed. I was once a person who laughed at people who wore them. I purchased myself the biggest one today. There is no shame in keeping warm. Plus, everyone else is rocking them so when in Moscow...
PS. Its down. That's how warm.
10) As Dean described it, we become Moses when crossing smaller streets. Cars stop and wait for you while you cross the road. Not the hundred lane roads, obviously, but the smaller streets. You walk, they stop. Unbelievable.
11) There are truly amazing people in the world. This is where Dean comes into play: he has been the best guide, friend, teacher and host we could have ever asked for. 'Classic Freddie, Freddie Prince Junior, the Fredmeister (who is Deans British roomate) has also been the greatest help with everything and offers a refreshing perspective when its needed.
12) There will be many coffees consumed here. We found a wonderful coffee shop near the metro where we had the best tasting coffee we have ever tasted. After taking our first sip, we sat there in awe staring at each other.
13) White South Africans are not supposed to exist. When a taxi driver enquired where we were from we were met with the follow up question, "Why you no black?". I feel it is not the last time we will hear this question.
14) We might survive this. You laugh, I wasn't too convinced of this last night. But tonight, after a day on our own in this huge but magical city- we are going to be okay :)
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