In Yaroslavl

Hello from lovely ярославль!! (That's actually a pic out the window at our camp near Moscow, not Yaroslavl, just FYI) haven't been on in soo long, but I'm trying to make this fast since I don't want to be on the computer too long. Ok, so I flew from LA to NY on... Monday night. And I got there on Tuesday soo early. At the airport, a volunteer picked me up, along with another girl named Jeanne who was going to China. The volunteer dropped us with some other volunteers at the hotel, and we were the first ones there. We both felt so gross, so we showered and then ate and then slept. Also, we watched some Doctor Who (Yes, I am that big a dork). Anyways. The orientation started at 2:00 and others that were going to Russia and China with NSLI-Y. On the first day, everyone was soo tired, but we all got into groups and played games and talked. It was soo fun!! I made soo many friends. Everyone was soo cool, and we all had so much in common. I'll put up pics asap. Anyways. So after the orientation, we all had to leave and it was so sad saying goodbye. Even though it was only two days, we all became so close. I can't wait to here about everyone's experiences!
Also, on the second day, more AFSers came (not NSLI-Yers) and one of them, Thomas, was going to Russia. Before the flight, none of us got any sleep (I got like three hours... ;P ) because most of us were sharing rooms with China people who all had to leave earlier than us. It was soo sad, because we had had to say goodbye the night before. But then we saw them at the airport!! XDD We all dorked out and were talking about languages and culture and how cool all that was. It was so cool, because usually us language lovers are kind of the weirdos, but all together we were soo normal. Hahaha.

Anyways. So, finally we said goodbye again. And that was even sadder!! Our flight was like... an hour later and that flight was short (just from NY to DC). I just listened to music. At Dulles, we hung out for like ever. I called Katie and my dad and everyone kept complaining "Jeez, you talk so much!!" and "get off the phone!" .... When I finally did, I played cards with Thomas and some others for a while. Then we saw a bunch of students going to the US from Germany! They were soo fun to talk to, cuz they all spoke English.... but with awesome accents. Oh yaa...
Finally, we got on our plane and we settled into the seats we wanted (we switched a bunch). I sat naxt to this lady, Olga, from Москва (Moscow) who was an actress visiting her stepfather in the US. But there was something wrong with our navigation system, so we had to get off and change planes. FINALLY, we got on our 10 hour flight and started toward Russia. I traded places with Zach and sat right next to Thomas. Who kept me up the entire flight. Thomas, if you're reading this.... Grr...
<-- That's Megan and Thomas.

But anyways. When we got to Russia, we were all soo tired. Especially those of us who DIDN'T SLEEP!! The bus ride to our "camp" (orientation) took like five hours and I slept a bit, but also hung out with Thomas, and then everyone else when they woke. The camp in Russia was also fun. We met so many other students, from Finland, Mexico, Sweden, Thailand, Austria, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany, Italy, France, Japan.... And maybe other places, but I can't remember. Mostly, everyone spoke English, but the girl who was from Mexico only spoke a little so I got to talk en espanol con ella. Which was awesome..... ;D

Yeah. Everyone was soo cool. Axel, from Sweden, and Maria from Finland wwere cool. We hung out in the kitchen and the kitchen ladies brought us tea (чай) and coffee (кофе) and sweet bread (булочка). They were soo nice!! They were listening to Russian pop music, all kind of techno, and Axel was soo cute. He kept dancing with it and saying "I love it!! It is so 90s!"

<-- Lauren, Zach, Alejandra, and Isabel, at camp/orientation thing

So that was awesome. Finally we had to say goodbye again and I was so depressed. Too many goodbyes! When we drove to Ярославль, there were fewer of us, and again we had to say good bye, and hello to our families. I met Inna, my host mom there. She is soo cute! She is short and adorable. We went straight home, to a small apartment with one bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. It's very warm and homey. Dinara is not here yet, but I met her friend Alicya who is staying over to help me since Inna has to work crazy hours. She speaks alot of English, but I already feel like I am learning Russian. I wonder if she's getting annoyed because I always ask, "How do you say...?" and "что это?"

So, yesterday, we went to a concert at the church, celebrating ярославль's history and culture and such. Do you know they make movies here?? I also met Alicya's friend Mattew there. He's nice. He does not speak English, but I will do my best to learn Russian asap and then talk to him like that! When we got back, I found out that Alicya lives downstairs. She stayed over and she and Inna shared a bed. (I feel bad that I have a bed all to myself... Idk what to do though...;.; )

Today, we woke up really late and made breakfast (eggs) which was so yummy. Then we went shopping, though we did not buy anything. At the mall, we saw two of Alicya's friends, Nastya and Yulia. Nastya did not stay long, but we hung out with Yulia who is small, blonde and so adorable. She also did not speak much English, but I know we will be good friends, and I will learn Russian and talk to her!! Alicya showed me our school, which is nice. And then we went home and had dinner (pasta).

So, this has been so great so far! I feel like I'm already learning, though I want to speak Russian already!!!! Grrrr!


Okay. Until later, this is blackout. Ttyl!!

беттина