Your English

I didn’t think I’d really like living in a mega city…but Moscow, you have charmed me. You’re already in possession of a great advantage through just being Russian, and since I love Russia and Russians, I’m predisposed to love you, since you are so deeply associated with those things. But then you found a weak spot in my armor…you have parks…not just parks, but woods, lovely woods with long, rambly walks and poetic birch trees and yellow leaves (be still, my heart), parks with babushkas perched beside ponds where people fish and paddle about in rowboats, with the smell of shashlik wafting through the fresh, cool autumn air.

And the Metro. I like the Metro! Is that weird? My Russian friends would probably say «да.» But I can’t help it. Not only is it fast, efficient, and the best way to travel around the city, and not only does it give me a sense of gleeful accomplishment to navigate it successfully (thanks to Father), but it’s a mass of humanity constantly in semi-silent motion, and for a people-loving people-watcher, it’s a feast. I’ve seen so many faces on the Metro that made my fingers itch for a sketchpad and a charcoal stick, faces that give me the ludicrous desire to sidestep cultural taboos and do the unthinkable – carry on a conversation with a stranger in a public venue. And SMILE while doing it!

Yes, I like Moscow. Мне нравится здесь.

my memory verse today: «When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise» (Proverbs 10:19).

and some travel humor:

So, when packing for Russia, I was on a one-track system – think cold. Logical, yes? Sort of. It’s not very cold yet. And the heat is already on in most buildings. And it’s HOT in here! Church today was super-hot! Oh man. I wore a sweater with a skirt, under which were my merino wool -33 leggings…ug! I was roasting. I noticed that my clever Russian friends wore pantyhose instead of thick wool leggings, but of course, this inexperienced American had only brought, you guessed it, merino wool. Which will be great for being outside in the minus 33 temps, but terrible for a small, crowded, heated room. Woof. So, on the way back from lunch, I stopped by a nearby little market and bought me some hose. Glory to God! I’m ready for next Sunday.