Rants Regarding Russia (3R)

Ok, I've been in Russia for so long, yet I STILL cant get used to the place. Firstly, there's the goddamned language barrier, so I can't even make a simple statement or ask a simple question without fumbling & making a fool outta myself. Than, there's the simple fact that i stick out like a sore thumb wherever i go. Enough for the fact that i'm the average height for 14 year-olds here, i'm also the only chinese for miles (besides my other coursemates of course...)

Let's see, I arrived & was so happy when 'smoke' came out my mouth every time I spoke. Big mistake. The cold is damn unbearable. I actually miss Malaysia's warm & sunny climate, where I could go around with nothing between me & mother nature besides my good intentions but still feel comfortable.(ignoring the embarrassment factor of course.) Here, its layer after layer of clothes. I feel like a freaking Eskimo. Not 2 weeks since I arrived, & its already -3 degrees Celsius. AND, it's only freaking mid-autumn. T_T (btw, it actually snowed the other day. Snow, in mid autumn. Daaamn~)

Arriving here, the first thought on my mind was this: “My hostel sucks”. Enough that we were literally dropped off at the rubbish dump (which we later found out was en route our hostel through the main entrance), the lift had to be one crazy metal box that was unbelievably small. It doesn't stop at certain floors (one of them being the twelfth floor, where my room happens to be), AND it only goes to one floor at a time, meaning you have to ask every single person which floor he/she's going to, & press the buttons in order of lowest floor to the highest after reaching each floor. Haiz. With me so far? AND, the whole lift smells of fried bee hoon. (which is actually strangely welcoming after the sickening russian food)

My room's ok though, takes some getting used to of course, but it's... well, it's gonna be home for the next 7 years. Might as well get comfortable. Got 2 great roommates. So can't complaint.... much. Haha.

Anyways, some observations I made about the country:
1. It's damn cold, My hands are ice cold even as I'm typing this.

2. You get hungry often, coz of the weather. NOT an excuse I'm giving myself here so I can eat a lot. (More than usual anyways)

3. NOBODY here washes their car. Seriously, every damn car I've seen so far, save from an odd BMW or Audi, are covered with a thick layer of dust. Damn.

4. Its Damn cold. (repitition shows emphasis)

5. They operate a damn annoying bus system. Firstly, to enter the buses, you've gotta stick your bus pass or whatever (*ahem* lets not even go there) into a slot before walking through… You know, kinda like the LRT or whatever entrances. Funny thing is, they have back exits, meaning that you can hop on from the back without using the pass. Here's the catch: if you're caught, you've gotta pay a hefty fine of 500 roubles (about RM70) I did it many times already. WITHOUT getting caught. What can I say? I'm lucky. =p After this month, I'll be getting my unlimited ticket, so I wouldn't have to take this risk again. Hahahahahahaha

6. There's no fixed taxi service. Any car, let it be your average family sedan or even a volkswagon beatle could be a taxi.

7.*some text missing*

8. Its Damn Cold (refer to item no. 4)

9. Did I mention it's damn cold?

10. Every single food item is either made out of beef or potatoes. AND they all taste exactly the same. Sour & salty. Dang I miss kolok mee & Laksa……. T_T

11. NOBODY in Russia washes their behind after doing their “Business”. Why do I say this? *some text missing* The reason is this: There's no water tape in our toilets. Not joking here. We have to wipe our behinds with TP before getting up, pulling up our pants, go next door (I meant the bathroom next door to the toilet LAH) take of our pants, THEN wash our behinds in the bathtub, THEN wash the bathtub.....
Oh wait, you guys didn't need to know our toilet habits? Hmph.... Don't care. Just told you anyway. =p

12. It's freezing cold.

13. Cigarettes & liquor are dirt cheap. Seriously. I mean, a bottle of vodka (a nice bottle, not a cheap one) can be bought for 80 roubles (which is RM10 man...)

14. The people here have developed a strong resistance to the cold. I woke up this morning praying I could stay in bed cause my hands & feet felt like block of ice. Guess what I saw when I looked out the window? Kids swinging dammit. Walaueh.

15. It takes forever to get ANYTHING done, be it in a supermarket line or registering for the uni.

16. Never speak to a Russian face to face. Their breath will literally knock you down.