Izhevsk
First Day
Lenin Library in Izhevsk
December 1, 2003
Yesterday, I briefly met my family and today I awoke to find my host sister, Katya
had made me tea, a reminder of why I rarely drink the stuff.
Katya then took me into town, our first stop was to exchange money and get a monthly
bus pass. We bought the pass for 335 rubles at a tiny and freezing kiosk on the
side of the street. The nearby bank was fairly modern, but it opens late on Mondays
(something we should serious consider in the United States) so we had some time
to relax and talk; our conversation started with why the bank was closed. Most places
open at 11:00 on Mondays, I dislike Monday mornings; these Russian may be on to
something… eliminating it entirely.
The city is bigger than I had first thought, we live on the outskirts, actually
the last street before the fields of nothingness begin and I work in the center
(similar to the American "downtown") so it’s quite the commute. I seemed
to have gained a child’s perspective here since everything’s new and exciting, I
stare wide-eyed absorbing every detail.
Once at work (yes I started the very first full day in the city), Katya left me
on my own, but I soon realized I had little idea on how to get back to my apartment.
Before diving into work, I had lunch in the school cafeteria, an ugly place with,
well, Russian food. My classes started with the 6th class (about 9 or 10 years old)
and I was immediately asked… do you have a wife?
After dinner I headed back into town, during the days I teach at the school, while
at night I lead adult students in cultural discussions. After I came to the realization
that the food would stay down, I caught the bus into town and noticed the 20 foot
tall statue of Lenin. I have clearly lost my mind, I’ve been past it twice and had
no idea it was there… I’m going to blame it on jetlag.