It has been a while since my last post. As we are adjusting to life here, the days rush forward. While the US is having a heat wave, we are experiencing what the locals describe as a very unusual June. There have been 2 days in June that I might describe as hot. The high was probably in the high 70s. The other days have been wet and rainy or cool, but mostly very pleasant. When I say "cool", think mild Southern Alabama winter day. Last week it rained every day. I was beginning to think we weren't going to see the sun again, but it made an appearance today. Along with the sun came the children playing in the playground. For people who are accustomed to harsh winters, you might think that a little rain or damp weather wouldn't prevent them from playing outside. Quite the opposite, the children all but disappeared last week while the rain and cool weather came through. Yesterday we were wearing coats and hats. Today the kids are back in shorts, t-shirts, and light jackets. It really is quite a contrast from muggy, hot Alabama summers. I fully realize we will pay a price for such pleasant weather when winter weather arrives in the Fall.
Since my last post, we have been slowly making friends. Unfortunately, C8 had found a good friend in a little boy named Roma. Then one day he & his Mom did not come out to play. That was a week ago, but we think that he might have gone on vacation to their Dacha for the month of June. Russians are very fond of their "dachas" or summer houses. This is where they grow their vegetables and escape from city life when the harshness of winter has past. The kids spent yesterday with an American missionary family with 4 small children. They had a blast! Their Mom & I enjoyed a long English conversation. We even share the same anniversary day & year! Today at the park I met a Russian lady named Victoria who has 4 children. This is very rare here in Russia. Not only does she have 4 children, but she was trained as an English teacher in their university system. Her English is out of practice but very good. She lives in our courtyard, although for some reason it was the first time I have seen her. I met another woman named Marina today with a precious 10 month old boy. Her Russian is very understandable, and she told me about a Russian friend of hers who lived in Alabama several years ago. So she knew exactly where Alabama was!
Russians are culturally wary of foreigners. I suspect this might particularly be true in parts of Russia where there are few foreigners. The good thing about being a European American is that we blend in with the people around us walking down the street. I say this because not everyone is friendly once they know you are not a native Russian speaker (which doesn't take long in our case!).
If you think of us, pray that the kids & I will both be able to make significant friendships here in our neighborhood.
Since my last post, we have been slowly making friends. Unfortunately, C8 had found a good friend in a little boy named Roma. Then one day he & his Mom did not come out to play. That was a week ago, but we think that he might have gone on vacation to their Dacha for the month of June. Russians are very fond of their "dachas" or summer houses. This is where they grow their vegetables and escape from city life when the harshness of winter has past. The kids spent yesterday with an American missionary family with 4 small children. They had a blast! Their Mom & I enjoyed a long English conversation. We even share the same anniversary day & year! Today at the park I met a Russian lady named Victoria who has 4 children. This is very rare here in Russia. Not only does she have 4 children, but she was trained as an English teacher in their university system. Her English is out of practice but very good. She lives in our courtyard, although for some reason it was the first time I have seen her. I met another woman named Marina today with a precious 10 month old boy. Her Russian is very understandable, and she told me about a Russian friend of hers who lived in Alabama several years ago. So she knew exactly where Alabama was!
Russians are culturally wary of foreigners. I suspect this might particularly be true in parts of Russia where there are few foreigners. The good thing about being a European American is that we blend in with the people around us walking down the street. I say this because not everyone is friendly once they know you are not a native Russian speaker (which doesn't take long in our case!).
If you think of us, pray that the kids & I will both be able to make significant friendships here in our neighborhood.
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