Rough and Not-So-Ready

Saturday evening, my school had a get-together at a local restaurant, to say good-bye to a teacher who is heading back to the States. Although I knew hardly anyone there, I made a point of making an appearance, and was quite delighted I did. I got to talk to a few of the other teachers I have met and (I think) managed to befriend in my shot time here.

Somehow, though, I left without my Rough Guide to Moscow. I discovered this fact Sunday afternoon, when I had finished my attempts at hand washing and was setting off for my first foray into Red Square (more on that later). This caused me a bit of panic, as my Rough Guide has truly been a godsend in the time I've been here, less for the commentary on the Tsar Bell than for the detailed maps it provides. In Kansas, I had been hesitant about which guide book to buy, but from now on, wherever I go, it will only be Rough Guides.

Luckily, however, I had my phrasebook with me. So after returning from Red Square, I stopped by the restaurant and asked if anyone had seen it.

I was amazed I was able to handle this exchange as well as I did. I was completely understood by the bartender to whom I made my inquiry, and was put in touch with the manager. She came down with a book--not my Rough Guide. But at least I had been able to make clear what I wanted and get a need met.

One thing I will say for Russia is that it does force you to learn at least a little bit of Russian in ways that Taiwan never required me to learn any Chinese. All of the signage on the Metro is in Russian, as are street signs and most menus (though a few places that cater to tourists have English translations). When I start working seriously on my Russian again--a good pursuit for this week, as I am relatively unoccupied--my big challenge will be just to learn some more food words. Russian for Menus is my definite priority.

One final note: when I got home last night, I found under my bed an old copy of the Rough Guide, no doubt left by a previous teacher. Just a little too Alanis Morrisette, don't you think?