I was really hoping that a good amount of sleep would help my body recover; no such luck. After about 12 hours of pretty solid sleep (only woke up once .. surprising since I felt like garbage), I awoke about 11 to get ready for Petr's sister and kids that were supposed to arrive at noon. Immediately I knew the sleep hadn't been sufficient and I had to lay in bed about 30 minutes before I could even move. Awesome, even worse than before. I can't remember the last time I got sick, and this garbage is starting to upset me. I guess the common cold is either some kind of super-strain in Russia or my immune system just hasn't re-calibrated yet to Russian food, water and air. I'm just a bit off my game.
Petr came in about 11.30 to ask how I was feeling and he had to call his sister to tell her I was ill... she was pretty upset since of course they were already on the way by then. I honestly felt so awful I couldn't even lift my arm to text Petr to tell him sooner, and I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me. It was just really the best thing to do because she has 5 kids and I really didn't want to risk getting any of them sick because I can't even imagine what dealing with 5 sick kids would be like. Petr said to rest up and I tried to fall back asleep, hoping I would be better in the evening. He came back 20 minutes later to tell me his cousin and her family was coming in 20 minutes.... uhhh... can't they get sick too? I don't know, whatever. Apparently he just really wanted to show off his new apartment, and I understand that... I was just praying I didn't get them sick either.
Luckily they didn't show for nearly an hour, which gave me some small amount of time to attempt to dress and make my bed without standing up (Tried standing up ... bad idea. Apparently my sinuses are so congested that they're actually pressed up against my inner ear and I can't stand up to save my life. I staggered and fell back onto the bed). I somehow miraculously managed to get to the kitchen by holding onto walls just as they walked in and I did my best to stay back in the corner and not get too close. I had some bread and cheese and some tea, hoping maybe eating something would help me keep my strength up. I managed to not fall over by bracing myself on the counter and sitting the entire time.
He got out his accordion, and his cousin sang along. I have the feeling it would have been better if I could have really heard them, but they still sounded excellent regardless of my condition. I did my best to keep a straight face and we had a great time, and as soon as they were gone I passed out again. Petr came back shortly from the pharmacy and brought me some remedies that he hoped would help me. Neither of us being the type that like taking medications (apparently avoiding medications is more popular here and nobody seems to like ingesting any kind of chemicals unnecessarily), he brought me some tablets to dissolve in hot water and gargle. It tasted a lot like what I imagine urine does and helped ... well, only marginally I'm afraid. So I poured myself another tea and laid down again.
It really was a pity to miss such a beautiful day. The sun was out, the weren't hardly any clouds, and the river has finally melted. If I could have stood up for more than a few minutes I would have gone down to the embankment, but it will have to wait for another day.
Something I'd like to point out about parking in Russia though. Where I live in Troitsk is a small residential area with an incredible number of flats (apartment buildings). Just within about 2-3 minutes walking distance there's at least 7 flats, housing (or at least capable of housing) probably around 300-500 people per building... maybe at least 3,000-4,000 people? How many parking places are there? 0. Now I'm aware that most people in Russia take buses, especially where I live which is in a small city. You just take the bus into the city in the morning, ride the metro, and take the bus back like I do. I'm not sure of the exact number of people that own cars, but I'll be generous for this example and assume 30-40%. The exact number is of course moot since it doesn't matter what percent of people drive cars, because 0 parking places still leaves 100% of people without anywhere to leave their car at night or any other time they're not in it.
This has led to people just parking anywhere, and it's not uncommon to see cars parked on sidewalks or just in the middle of the street. I've seen tons of 4 lane roads that are only 2 lane roads because the outer lanes are being used for parking, and the amount of double-parking I've seen would make most American's heads spin. There are of course in larger cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg occasionally underground parking garages, but it still seems to me like the major trend is to just pull over anywhere and get out. I'm not sure who's genius idea it was to install 0 parking in this country, but it's absolutely insane.
I definitely need to point out that now that everything has been cleaned up, Moscow is looking fantastic! I've discovered that my flat is in fact surrounded by grass, and you just weren't able to see it before through the garbage, so that's pretty awesome.
I've also made some progress towards getting some of the film I've been taking cut together, so hopefully I can get some of it formatted for YouTube soon. On a final note, I've been macking for McDonald's all day today and as soon as I can walk, you better stay out of my way. Because even though I haven't had McDonald's for nearly 6 years I would seriously kill someone in front of their mother for a strawberry shake and a burger right now.
That being said, I spent the evening debating whether I wanted to try to get out tomorrow, and I have some speculative plans, but they're of course hinging on how much like a walking plague I feel like tomorrow. If I can't stand up again tomorrow, plans will be nixed again, and I'm afraid my entry will be equally uninteresting for you tomorrow. I hate to not really be communicating with my students, but this blog is the only thing I've had the strength to do, and I'm praising Jesus I can type fast. Unfortunately typing on a phone requires a bit more dexterity, so I hope I'll have the strength for it tomorrow to let them know I'm alive.
I would say I hope everyone has an awesome day, but it seems nearly my entire audience is Russian. For some awkward reason, apparently Russians are more interested in learning about Russia than Americans are... so instead, I'll say I hope everyone had a better day than I did! Good night, and take care!
Petr came in about 11.30 to ask how I was feeling and he had to call his sister to tell her I was ill... she was pretty upset since of course they were already on the way by then. I honestly felt so awful I couldn't even lift my arm to text Petr to tell him sooner, and I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me. It was just really the best thing to do because she has 5 kids and I really didn't want to risk getting any of them sick because I can't even imagine what dealing with 5 sick kids would be like. Petr said to rest up and I tried to fall back asleep, hoping I would be better in the evening. He came back 20 minutes later to tell me his cousin and her family was coming in 20 minutes.... uhhh... can't they get sick too? I don't know, whatever. Apparently he just really wanted to show off his new apartment, and I understand that... I was just praying I didn't get them sick either.
Luckily they didn't show for nearly an hour, which gave me some small amount of time to attempt to dress and make my bed without standing up (Tried standing up ... bad idea. Apparently my sinuses are so congested that they're actually pressed up against my inner ear and I can't stand up to save my life. I staggered and fell back onto the bed). I somehow miraculously managed to get to the kitchen by holding onto walls just as they walked in and I did my best to stay back in the corner and not get too close. I had some bread and cheese and some tea, hoping maybe eating something would help me keep my strength up. I managed to not fall over by bracing myself on the counter and sitting the entire time.
He got out his accordion, and his cousin sang along. I have the feeling it would have been better if I could have really heard them, but they still sounded excellent regardless of my condition. I did my best to keep a straight face and we had a great time, and as soon as they were gone I passed out again. Petr came back shortly from the pharmacy and brought me some remedies that he hoped would help me. Neither of us being the type that like taking medications (apparently avoiding medications is more popular here and nobody seems to like ingesting any kind of chemicals unnecessarily), he brought me some tablets to dissolve in hot water and gargle. It tasted a lot like what I imagine urine does and helped ... well, only marginally I'm afraid. So I poured myself another tea and laid down again.
It really was a pity to miss such a beautiful day. The sun was out, the weren't hardly any clouds, and the river has finally melted. If I could have stood up for more than a few minutes I would have gone down to the embankment, but it will have to wait for another day.
Something I'd like to point out about parking in Russia though. Where I live in Troitsk is a small residential area with an incredible number of flats (apartment buildings). Just within about 2-3 minutes walking distance there's at least 7 flats, housing (or at least capable of housing) probably around 300-500 people per building... maybe at least 3,000-4,000 people? How many parking places are there? 0. Now I'm aware that most people in Russia take buses, especially where I live which is in a small city. You just take the bus into the city in the morning, ride the metro, and take the bus back like I do. I'm not sure of the exact number of people that own cars, but I'll be generous for this example and assume 30-40%. The exact number is of course moot since it doesn't matter what percent of people drive cars, because 0 parking places still leaves 100% of people without anywhere to leave their car at night or any other time they're not in it.
This has led to people just parking anywhere, and it's not uncommon to see cars parked on sidewalks or just in the middle of the street. I've seen tons of 4 lane roads that are only 2 lane roads because the outer lanes are being used for parking, and the amount of double-parking I've seen would make most American's heads spin. There are of course in larger cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg occasionally underground parking garages, but it still seems to me like the major trend is to just pull over anywhere and get out. I'm not sure who's genius idea it was to install 0 parking in this country, but it's absolutely insane.
I definitely need to point out that now that everything has been cleaned up, Moscow is looking fantastic! I've discovered that my flat is in fact surrounded by grass, and you just weren't able to see it before through the garbage, so that's pretty awesome.
I've also made some progress towards getting some of the film I've been taking cut together, so hopefully I can get some of it formatted for YouTube soon. On a final note, I've been macking for McDonald's all day today and as soon as I can walk, you better stay out of my way. Because even though I haven't had McDonald's for nearly 6 years I would seriously kill someone in front of their mother for a strawberry shake and a burger right now.
That being said, I spent the evening debating whether I wanted to try to get out tomorrow, and I have some speculative plans, but they're of course hinging on how much like a walking plague I feel like tomorrow. If I can't stand up again tomorrow, plans will be nixed again, and I'm afraid my entry will be equally uninteresting for you tomorrow. I hate to not really be communicating with my students, but this blog is the only thing I've had the strength to do, and I'm praising Jesus I can type fast. Unfortunately typing on a phone requires a bit more dexterity, so I hope I'll have the strength for it tomorrow to let them know I'm alive.
I would say I hope everyone has an awesome day, but it seems nearly my entire audience is Russian. For some awkward reason, apparently Russians are more interested in learning about Russia than Americans are... so instead, I'll say I hope everyone had a better day than I did! Good night, and take care!
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