This is more a blurry hangover from the MGU Good Times than any continuation of their loose narration.
Also, where previously on this bloggy events were related more or less on the spot, any that you find here are being recollected through foggy haze, from a warm and cosy armchair, three time zones and about 1559 miles away in West London.
First of all, a big shout out to Dzho and Dzhon who remain in MGU carrying on the good times and flying the Cambridge flag. I was thinking of publishing all the sms-ki that Dzhon sent me throughout my time in Moscow and which kept me very entertained but I've decided I can't be bothered. Here's Dzhon though, in all his glory:
Dzhon in all his glory. I miss you, Dzhon.
Second of all, here are some useful sites-
Cambridge Uni Russian Society - a constant support before, after and during my trip to Moscow. Nice bunch of people and if you're in Cambridge it's definitely worth going to their Wednesday evening Russian conversation sessions in the Grad Cafe (near the Anchor) from 8pm every week in term time.
vihodigulat.ru - I saw this group's poster while I was queuing to register in the first couple of weeks and 'twas a glimmer of light in dark days. Student run group that do fun things in and around Moscow. Worth registering with them to receive their emails. They have a useful site with stuff like Russian slang dictionary and more good links. Also turned out to be pretty much the coolest people I got to know while I was in Russia (apart from Dzhon, of course).
lookatme.ru - a good site with good info and good radio stream which plays good music
tutu.ru - Russian train timetables and tickets
Afisha - basically What's On in Russia, everyone knows about this site
and finally a pretty good online Russian dictionary
So things are good back in the UK, if pretty damn weird. Air travel is way too fast for me, and the way it just lifted me up in minus 10 and snowy and Russia and Russian language and dumped me more or less still drunk into foggy drizzly mild polite England with black taxis and health and safety in a matter of hours was way too much for me, after a gradual assimilation into Russia over some months. I find myself looking at everything with the wide eyes of a foreign tourist; wanting to speak Russian, especially if I need to ask for directions or order food; wanting to take photos of stuff like bacon, geese, pubs, green grass, post boxes; wanting to barge slow walking people out of the way especially in public transport; almost getting killed by traffic which drives on the other side of the road; sleeping weirdly and dreaming I'm in Moscow; getting angry at people who talk loudly in public places or on public transport.
In some ways though it's nice to feel I don't need to get used to being in the UK. To my relief I got my Iranian visa on Friday no trouble (boogie woogie!), and so I'm off again, this time to Tehran, next week, all being well.
It's great just to see family and friends and sort myself out. Just to take a breath, before plunging in to the second half of my year abroad, which will indubitably be another good dosage of culture shock and yet more crazy escapades. Watch this space, I guess.
love to all,
Glen
