As I write this we're sitting on a train headed to Барнаул (pronounced something like Barn-ah-ool, the city where will be living for the next year and a half) and I realized we ARE in a comfort zone of sorts, all wrapped up a cocoon of total confusion, in a world swirling with all things Russian and we understand only about one in a hundred words--and then only if they speak v-e-r-y slowly. President Trejo said there are several reasons they don't do more language training for seniors, which sounded good until he dropped us off at the train station (with our 6 suitcases, two carry ons, a heavy bag of books for the zone leader and a bag of food from Sister Trejo) and said, "Good luck. The Elders should meet you in four hours." We just hope we know where to get off--none of the stations have the name of the city posted. And we hope there's only ONE stop in Барнаул.
The old conductor (with his 6 gold teeth) is very nice. We established that:
1. he knows the word "California" (or at least it sounded similar to California and we assumed he was asking us if we knew where it was)
2. we're not from there
3. he doesn't understand what Utah means
4. he knows Obama is our president
5. he's really only 50, but he looks much older
6. he's from Uzbekistan
7. (thankfully) our tickets are in order, and
8. Барнаул is more like 5 hours from Novosibirsk (we hope the Elders in Барнаул don't give up and leave before we get there).
Supposedly one in four Russians speaks English very well. We're looking forward to meeting them in Барнаул, 'cause they sure aren't on this train!
People here don't smile much, and they think you're out of touch with reality if you do. So they think we're crazy!
Just keep smiling and let them think you are crazy! We're glad to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteAt least you have a companion for your travels! When I was sent to my first area I was alone on a train for 9 hours and then a bus for 4 hours and (like you) was really hoping there would be someone at my destination who was expecting me...
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