Kathleen On The Roof!

One of my favorite parts about traveling is meeting new people. The network of likeminded travelers is amazing, enhanced and even allowed at times by social media and the connectivity that constantly surrounds us. But my favorite part of connecting with new people is the random information - conversations, stories, jokes, recommendations, and advice - that is exchanged at such random, yet precise moments. 

"If you don't like me, go shoot yourself" - A friendly message from Putin

This morning over toast that was covered in condensed milk ("Have some, it's Russian!"; the resulting recipe sits on my hips and on the scale between horrifying and straight-up genius) I was asked my surname by the guys who cooked us traditional Russian caviar and smoked fish pancakes last night. (The past 12 hours have been a culinary adventure to say the least...Also, these guys are great!)

Dinner at the hostel

I told them Carlson, and they immediately  started giggling. I learned that Carlson (in the Scandinavian spelling) is one of the most beloved Russian fairy tales for children, Karlsson On the Roof, which was written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. 

Selfie in front of the Golden Horn Bridge in Vladivostok

Upon learning more about Karlsson through a quick Google search, I found out that he is described as "a handsome, thoroughly clever, perfectly plump man in his prime" and his motto is "doesn't matter, doesn't matter". He obviously eats condensed milk pancakes for breakfast every day. YOLO!

Caitlin and I also learned that 'Lonely Planet' is a Russian dating site after mentioning that we were going to use it to get around Russia, a probably more appropriately named site than its famous travel advice counterpart. 

Start of the Tran-Siberian Railroad (!!!)

Tonight, Caitlin and I are making a meal to repay our new Russian buddies, and will probably learn many more new fun facts. 

Hostel life

Then, we are packing up our bags and leaving first thing in the morning for the first (and 3 day) leg of our Russian adventure on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. 

Adventuring around Vladivostok

Think: 50-some roommates, two bathrooms, endless shared food, card games, vodka, and a lot of charades. For three days. Without stopping. 

Caitlin and Aleksei

To say I was anything but absolutely thrilled to ring in my 27th birthday in this manner would be a complete lie. I'll weigh in on new lessons and experiences when we get back to wifi in a few days. I'm sure we won't return empty handed. 

Friday market in Vladivostok

So to 'Tomorrow Being Worse' and today being filled with condensed milk - Cheers!

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'Tomorrow Will Be Worse'

After months of preparation, visa attempts, and confusion at why we even wanted to visit to Russia in the middle of the winter, Caitlin and I finally arrived in Vladivostok!(!!!!)

This has been a Bucket List item of mine for a few years, and after taking an incredible Russian History class at GT Caitlin had it on her list, too. 

We met up (stressfully, but thankfully) the night before our flight into Vladivostok in Chuncheon, South Korea where Caitlin had been teaching English for the past two and a half years. Packing up and saying goodbye to such a momentous chapter is never easy. Luckily we'd soon replace this bittersweetness with the bitter climate in southeastern Russia and have new things to consider, such as how any human population survives with so much snow and where could we purchase an authentic fur hat. 

Caitlin at the airport, our taxi driver lurking in the background. I want his hat.

When we got to our hostel after skidding across an endless expanse of ice and snow that they call roads, we decided to adventure to the local store for dinner. This included me sliding down stairs due to the excessive amounts of snow covering the stairs and more consideration at how anyone survives in so much snow. We also actively wondered why people attempted to summit Everest; we were only battling the elements for snacks and beer. 

When we returned and began to chat with fellow hostel-goers, we were commenting on the insane amount of snow. Upon pouring us welcome drinks our new friends, locals from Vladivostok, laughed at us and cheerfully toasted that "Tomorrow will be worse!" We decided to ignore the cultural and climate implications of that message and drink up!

My next few posts (hopefully a few throughout our month here) will be short, blunt and cold because I'm trying to assimilate into the Russian culture. Thanks for following along! 

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