The End Is Near...

This will be my last post, for those who are still listening.

Prague went well, and more than anything, made me realize just how different it was from Russia--mainly Moscow. Also, more people speak English in Prague, which was a nice change from the Moscow nobody-speaks-English scene. I wish I could've stayed there longer, but I guess that's just incentive to go back.

As far as my time here in Moscow has been overall, I've enjoyed it--a lot. I'm not sure how I could possibly describe it, but it has definitely been a unique experience, one that I'm know I would not have gotten had I gone to a European country, or more "popular" site.

Russia is, if anything, evolving; the old regime is slowly being switched out with the new, and maybe in 20 years, I'll see Russia even more developed than it is now. The giant cranes that litter the landscape of the city are the new symbol of Russia: Rebuilding a-new, and moving forward, trying to catch up after years of repression and inflation. Russia is an Asian country, trying to acquire European ideology, and chasing after the American materialistic culture...all to build a better future, a better lifestyle.

I will miss many things, especially the people. They have been my sanity in frustrating times, and I don't know if I would have made it through the months without them. Russia is a tough country. Maybe that's why not too many people come here, but I liked the challenge. Now I know I can get through just about any problem, and any other beaurocracy is pea sized comparred to Russia's beaurocratic system...you really have no idea. I can't imagine what it would've been like during the Soviet Union. No wonder so many people just pay off the authorities instead of going through the proper channels.

I don't think I'll ever get an experience like this again, but I'm glad I experienced it.

I'll be departing Monday the 21st, and arriving the next day in the States. Getting real food again will be nice, but like I said, I'll miss all the people I've met. My only regret is that I didn't get to fully get into studying the Russian language. Oh well. Can't have it all I guess!

Reporting from Moscow,
Jessica

Suzdal

Sorry for the lack of updating.... But I have good reason. I'm in Prague! Woot! I'll definitely give the details on that later. For now, I'll talk about my trip to Suzdal.

Vladimir-Suzdal, Part Deux:

So, after we visited Vladimir (see the last post), we took a ride over to Suzdal, where we stayed overnight in nice hotel (with a free breakfast). I really liked Suzdal a lot, mainly because it was a breadth of fresh air, literally. Free from the city smog of Moskva (Moscow), we walked along the sidewalks, taking in the country-side scenery of olde Russia. Very peaceful, and perfect for an overnight visit; I think if I had to stay there for more than a few days, it might get a little boring...maybe.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Some gypsies were playing in this restaurant. It was full, so we couldn't eat there, but it looked like interesting.

The pictures above were inside an old Russian church, which was situated inside the Suzdal Kremlin.

We also went to an area where there were a couple wooden churches, from the old days...way back....like, a really, really long time ago.... These were a few that survived, along with a few other wooden structures.

Me and a couple others bought some kind of food from this old woman. I think it might have been the toll to cross the bridge.

The boyz....smokin' their 4 ruble, yes, 4 ruble, unfiltered cigarettes. Look at 'em. Standing there...lookin' all cool.... Felix was the coolest. He had the hat, man. The hat's the key. Word.

Peace,
Jessica