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Exploring the rooftop of a skyscraper in Russia. It’s very dark. I can hear Russians speaking with each other nearby but after looking I don’t see anyone. I’m frightened or at least stressed that I can’t see the voices. I climb atop this dirt hill and spot a pair of glowing eyes from some kind of animal. It might be a mouse. For some reason he scares me so I run back to the stairwell but before I can make it the mouse attacks me. I defend myself.
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Around 10 a.m. I wake up next to charming and mysterious Aysena. She is smiling in her sleep. She awakens and offers thousands of kisses, just like she said she would do. I’m smothered.
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Blueberry Acai Granola Bar. Hot Tea.
We make plans to meet Yana, a Belarusian friend of mine I met over seven years ago in Virginia Beach, at House Coffee Shop down the street. After some mild confusion on exactly which coffee shop we locate the right one and there she is. A warm hug is shared. It’s so incredibly lovely to see her. She’s just as I remember her with that kid-like attitude but intelligent analytical mind.
Drinking this Hot Fruit Brewed Water with Yellowberries (or cloudberries), Strawberries, etc. (the best hot drink I’ve ever had). Eating a Chicken Wrap with Potato Chips.
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Yana is our makeshift tour guide through a snowy square of park in the city. She treats us to these Walnut Pastries.
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A brief visit into the first McDonald’s that was ever built in Russia. It’s vast with a couple floors filled with Moscow patrons. This place seems to be quite the common place to meet up with friends.
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And then Aysena and I are off on our own in search of this second hand shop. We tromp through miles and miles of icy streets. It becomes monotonous after a while but I don’t mind so much even though my fingers are frozen and my nose is dripping. Everybody I see looks like they’re struggling or depressed. Ays says it’s just because it’s Moscow – it’s just Russia! I want to chalk it up to the big city effect because you have these same themes in any metropolitan populations like New York, L.A., or Boston, but it seems the almost permanent cold weather and oppressed Soviet history (or in general even the current oppression) has a greater effect on the Russian mentality. It’s easy to spot this dark attitude in public – the straight-lipped faces and hurrying furry covered bodies. After asking over thirty Moscow citizens for directions we arrive at the little shop. One babushka told us to fuck off. But that’s not to say the others weren’t helpful cause they were. There we try on a few things but walk out without purchasing anything.
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God I can’t get over the gothic neo-classical structure of Moscow’s metro stations. Each stop has it’s own unique design. The style all stems from the Soviet era in the 90’s. They haven’t changed some of the trains either besides some basic repainting. But I’m totally in love.
Back at the apartment. Finally a break from all the walking. We have a prior engagement somewhere but despite a fifteen-minute sex fantasy ensues. Her jean skirt and black tights are nothing but enticing.
Later I find myself sitting on a stage in an auditorium in the Yakutian embassy speaking with about forty Yakutian students who are studying in Moscow. I’m given a collection of questions like, “What is life like where you from in Virginia Beach?” or “How would you describe your music?” and “Do you believe in God?” But they are all just inquiries to a man they know nothing about except through Aysena who planned this meeting. Theses students have only seen cold places like Yakutsk and Moscow so doing a Q&A with an American from a warm place is a privilege for them. Then I perform a few select songs on guitar. I’m met with extremely grateful faces afterwards, signing a few autographs and handing out stickers. With this kind of special attention I felt like I was in Indonesia again.
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Afterwards we meet up at Planeta Sushi on Old Arbat Street with Nurgun, Aysena’s best friend, and Aina. Japanese restaurants are very commonplace here in Moscow. However you will not find any authentic Japanese people working at them, except maybe the more Asian looking Russians. At any rate Russians love Japanese cuisine. But Chinese food isn’t so popular.
Sharing a variety of Sushi Rolls, Miso Soup, and a few pints of light Russian Beer. Eventually Aina leaves and Yana joins up. Discussions ensue over history, governments, and general topics of the like. It’s still kind of surreal to think that I’m really here in Russia. Even though I’m insanely tired from the jetlag I’m insanely inspired and happy to be here.
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At one of the metro stations Nurgun shows me a small statue in particular that resembles a Russian military officer and a dog. Apparently it’s somewhat of a famous dog because many people rub his iron nose for good luck.
Finally settling down at Marina’s flat.
Sleep 2 a.m. (Moscow time)
* Images taken by me.
† Images taken by Aysena.
† Images taken by Aysena.
‡ Images taken by Nurgun.
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