So today is my last day in Moscow. I decided to leave a week and a half early because I have really been missing home. So I guess this is pretty much my final post about Russia. I'll try not to make it too sappy.
I dreamed to come to Russia and not just figuratively speaking but literally. I would sleep at night and dream about the day I would come to Russia and as I liked to put it, 'see what was going on over here.' So I did. I got on a plane, with minimal expectations and landed in an airport where I was so nervous I could not even ask where the elevator was. I honestly found a lot more than an elevator in Russia.
I've been to museums, other cities, a ballet, the zoo, classes, dates, parks, festivals and so many other places. All of those events add up to equal my total experience and what I will take away from this.
I had read so much about when traveling that we should try really hard to see past the differences and focus on how we are the same. But, I felt like here, I had to try really hard to see the differences because the majority of the time I was shocked at how we ARE in fact all the same. We are humans and no matter what language we speak or where we are born, we all survive the same ways, doing the same things, falling in to routines, loving our children, working 9-5, going to class, etc. At this point, I don't understand how racism or discrimination even exists because of how ALIKE we all truly are.
Because we are so alike, humans will communicate...no matter what. Since about my second week here, I communicated on a daily basis with someone who spoke absolutely NO English. Yes, overtime our conversations got better as my Russian improved but even from the beginning, the communication was there.
I have been to the cafe here at the school almost every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. There is a lady that works there and we have developed a great relationship over the past few months not because we chit chat about each other or get to know each others personal business, but because I am kind to her and she is kind to me. The saying, a smile is the same in every language is extremely true. Contrary to popular belief, Russians do smile and when they do, it is extremely genuine. I would rather someone smile at me because they mean it rather than smile at me and then say terrible things about me behind my back (which tends to happen a lot with the 'famous' American smile.)
The Russians I have met have been phenomenal. I will really miss them while I am back in the United States. I have also met some great Americans as well along with Je and Omer. I have been blessed with an AMAZING roommate that has helped me since the first day when she gave me the gift of drinkable water.
Over the duration of this study abroad experience, I have learned more than I ever thought I would. I can have a full blown out conversation in Russian, navigate the metro, take a taxi, order a pizza on the phone in Russia, fix a broken shower, clean up 5+ gallons of toilet water off the floor with a towel, drink responsibly, convert rubles to dollars in my head, cook macaroni with a tea pot, teach English and most importantly, I can ask where the elevator is.
