Tuesday March 26 2013 (MOSCOW)

Flatnik Show N Tell Party*

It’s 9 a.m. The fresh sunlight shines through the train windows. I awaken from a mediocre night of slumber, the best it can get considering the accommodations on a Russian train.


Along the walk I rehash last night’s stressful events with Aysena to see if she remembered any of it. She does mostly except for the climatic parts. She seems sorry and just smiles like she always does with that innocent and adorable look in her eye. It doesn’t matter anymore. We made it back to Moscow in one piece, or rather with all our pieces. It’s snowing quite dramatically, the most it’s snowed since I’ve been here. The snowflakes catch on my jacket and it’s possible to examine their intricate details up close. It’s still the same team of Tristan, Aysena, Aina, and myself. We locate the nearest Japanese restaurant and relax, making use of the free WiFi to plan out the day and book hostels and such.

Omelet with Tomatoes, Toast, and some of that hot Mixed Berry Juice I had the first day I was here.


Aina leaves the group and heads back home to study. Most of our day is spent traveling on the metro and checking into hostels. Tristan stays in one closer to the Aeroport train. Ays and I find a cheap one with a private room. After that we meet up with Nurgun at a Russian cafeteria-style place.

White Beans with Carrots, Borscht Soup, and an Apple Danish.


I’ve been taking notice to all the food I’ve been eating on this trip. Sometimes there’s just nothing else to do but eat and walk. I don’t mind too much cause I enjoy all the variety of options around this city.


Flatnik Show N Tell Party is tonight. It’s at a small studio apartment. Sasha, a girl I conversed with on Couch Surfing, is hosting the event and offered to help organize it. Shortly after 7:30 p.m. the local natives start piling in, most of them saw the event posted on Couch Surfing. Everybody reverently squats on the floor and listens to a short performance I give on the guitar while some video footage of an old Soviet farm projects on the ceiling behind me. I’m quite surprised at how many heads came out. I would say about 50 showed up. After I finish I invite anyone else to take the floor and share something, with the help of Sasha translating. The majority of the audience only understands English on a basic level. Ukulele, piano, and guitar performances ensue. Yana is here and gives quite the inspiring speech on the meaningless noise in life, the search for truth (or the real God) and the assurance/peace one feels with God, and how honesty can change your life. I guess it may have come off as depressing in comparison to the general mood of the congregation. But I took something substantial from it personally and I’m certain others did as well. Tristan seems to fit in well and attracts the attention of a few girls. After the Show N Tell portion is done the snack table is brought in from the kitchen and everybody just mingles. I chat with a few curious people that ask me questions about America and this and that.


Flatnik Show N Tell Party*

Flatnik Show N Tell Party

Flatnik Show N Tell Party

Flatnik Show N Tell Party

Flatnik Show N Tell Party


I feel incredibly sick, sore throat and such. I figured it would happen eventually considering all the cold weather I’ve had to trot around in.


Back at the hostel. Sipping on plenty of Tea and Honey. Aysena sleeps before me while I reflect in the kitchen. Around me I overhear a lot of conversations in Russian but they’re easy for me to drown out since I can’t understand most of it.


Finally joining my little Ays in dreamland at 1:24 a.m.


* Images taken by Aysena. 
Images taken by me.

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