Russia Post 1: Lessons Learned

Hey everybody!

Before I say anything, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who I know is praying and has been so much of an encouragement to me. You guys mean the world to me and I want to all to know that.

Well, today marks the first week that Caleb Jones and I have been in Krasnodar City (called so because it is also the capital of Krasnodar Region). We are staying in a little house behind the Hayes' that used to be Steve's office, but now has been transformed into a mother-in-law suite. Anyway, it's comfortable for two bachelors like us.

Lessons learned in Russia so far:

• Use exact change: People will give you dirty looks otherwise. (i.e: I needed 30 rubles in change and the lady behind the counter gave it to me in 2-ruble coins). 
• Always keep something between you and the traffic. In Russia, 80% of drivers purchase their driver's license, instead of actually taking the driver's course. 
• It's cheaper to see a vet than to see a doctor and the vets are often better-equipped. Yay for Socialized medicine....
• Don't talk in English loudly in public. It says one of two things: 1) Please rob me or 2) I am a spy. 

But Russia is actually not as bad as one might think. Probably the most surprising things are:

• The houses are all crowded together or built one on top of the other. The father will build a house, and the son will build his house on top of that one... and the grandson will do the same...
• The pipes for the water are above the ground. Water may cut off for inexplicable reasons and everyone just waits for it to come back on again...
• The cars: You have everything on the streets of Krasnodar, from Soviet-era death-traps to brand-new Toyotas and Ferrari's. 

Well, one week is completed thus far. Caleb and I are really just getting settled in and meeting a bunch of the students that the Hayes' work with and it really has been great so far. Monday was English Movie Night for the local English club and Wednesday was the Sports day (where you learn traditional American sports. Baseball and Ultimate Frisbee are favorites). Saturday is Coffee House, so we're excited about that.

So far so good here in the Motherland. Das Vedanya, my friends.