After nearly a week I have finally reached Nizhny Novgorod (N.N.), the city in which I shall study and live these next two months. N.N. is situated about 250 miles east of Moscow, located at the point the Volga and Oka River meet. It reminds me in some ways of my home town of Pittsburgh and our three rivers. The old Kremlin and the major section of the modern city are built at the point where the Oka flows into the Volga. Another major section also spans along the opposite side of the Oka River.
I will be living with a young couple (actully 2 years younger than I!) in a comfortable apartment only about 15 minutes via bus from the university. Both strike me as gentle people, Dmitri a manager at a firm, Ksenia finishing her university degree and looking for a job. I look forward to more interesting conversations as my Russian improves. For now I do much listening and we have been discussing the basics of books and movies.
With this, my second host family experience, I'm noticing that same initial process of getting to know one another and become familiar with one anothers' routines - all without the ability to express some of the most important points through language. I am again impressed by the patience of the host couple to simply let things happen and through our bumping into one another sketch out a plan to co-habitate the same space.
Today I also strolled around the town, but first had to buy a sweater. It's been very cold since my arrival (~8C/50F), but we should be getting up to ~16/60 soon. Under a very cloudy sky, I walked around the town's Kremlin and also around the main shopping area. Local shops stand side-by-side with Puma and Addidas shops. Pizza stands can also be found (including Sbarro), along with a good number of cafes and bars.
Tomorrow morning lessons will begin. Pictures of Nizhny and other interesting (I hope) tales to come.
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