Russia

Picture: “Ribena” tree. No, not like the drink in Australia, but a beautiful tree that was in full flourish when we arrived. Only a few short weeks later its leaves had fallen, but the berries remained as beautiful decorations.

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It took a while – ok, a long while – but we’re finally here as a family. When I met hubby nearly 20 years ago I was sure we’d be coming back before long, but I guess our Father had other plans. He’s surely been shaping us and refining us all this time, and now that I’m back here for an extended period, it is interesting to think about how I saw this place through my 21 year old eyes for the very first time.

As I’ve said before, Russia is a land of contrasts. There has been a lot of change in the last 20 years, but in some ways, nothing has changed. I am constantly in wonder of the way old and new meet in this place – kind of like they collided in a car crash. It’s a hodge podge with a rhythm of its own.

On the one hand, I can walk into a shopping centre here that, although not as big, could easily be Chadstone – but for the Russian writing, and the eagle-eyed-sales assistants who hover over you just in case you decide to shove that big jacket in your purse… On the other hand, there are still hundred year old houses (which are well past being condemned with gaping holes and rotting wood) that still have people living in them.

I hope to be able to share my experience of Russia anew with you. I am trying to see it with fresh eyes again and to experience the awe, the wonder, and unfortunately often also the frustration, that I felt once before so that you can imagine our lives here a little. I hope I manage to finish blogging our Singapore trip too – which was very brief but equally as fascinating for us – but I figure if I don’t start blogging Russia soon I’ll never get started. Life here is hectic and very full, but writing it down is a form of therapy for me. I hope you’ll bear with me 😉