Normalcy

So I have been in St Petersburg for exactly 3 weeks and already it feels like home. A home where I do not understand most of what people say, where I cannot always read the signs, and where the clothes/food are slightly foreign to me, but still a home. I felt this way when I was in Wales two years ago, but that was different. I was with family and the main language was English. Here, I knew only one person, and her barely at all, and my Russian ability was (still is) poor. Yet already, things have become routine and "normal". And my Russian has improved a lot. Still needs loads of work though.

I have met some Russians; truthfully, this was the main reason for this exchange. I wanted to improve my Russian through meeting people and by being surrounded by Russian. The classes and the academic side are less important to me as I could get that in Canada or the US. The people that I have met are through language groups on Facebook and from friends of friends. While it is a bit sketchy to meet up with people from the internet, so far its has turned out well.

I do not even know where to begin describing my trip that is not even half over. I think that I will begin by writing about different aspects of my every day experience. Lets see how this goes! Also, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!