Yep, I am American.

It is funny when you come to a different country or culture ,or at least I do, you like to pretend you are part of these people. Think I am just like them nothing is really different. But the truth is, is we are each different. I came to Russia being like I will be like the Russians in no time. And they will just see me as one of them. Well in the past few days Lydia(other international student) and I get looks all the time. We do not talk or laugh in public like everyone here. We do not wear anything flashy or different. We walk down the stairs, escalators, and get on subways the same as everyone else. We walk with a purpose and know exactly where we need to go. So why do they see us as different? This is not really a huge deal just was thinking about this a lot, still trying to figure out why it bothers me.

Today was a nice day Lydia and I were able to just relax and ate breakfast. We then took the subway for the first time alone, to our history teachers flat. We then talked about the last few things we need to know before school starts and made soup. After lunch we took the subway back and went to the grocery store again. Then went back to school put everything away and saw it was nice outside. So we went to a park that is across the street. There were statues all over (there are statues everywhere here). We walked around and saw you could rent boats for the little lake. Then saw this kids area with all these rides and this creepy music playing. But the trees and grass were growing all over them, and no kids were there but the music still played. Then we walked back to the school and heard drums and found a worship team practicing in one of the building for church. Now I have just been relaxing and just enjoy this time to not have to WALK miles, like the other days.

So yesterday, Lydia and I went to many places all over st. pets. but one place that was interesting was the blockade museum. This is a museum honoring and showing the pain/loss and strength Russia had during World War 2. It was a somber area. The moment you walk up this sad sound music is playing and there was touches lite all around this big open area. There was a statue in the middle showing the sadness and weakness of the Russians during this time. When you walk in the whole place is lite with these little torches, 1000s of them. We were told each one represents a person who died. We watched a short video about the effect of the war. Inside there was a clicking sound playing and was told this would play on people radios and they would be comforted because it meant the Germans have not taken there city. Outside the museum was many other statues of them just trying to move on and keep going. After going through this museum I look at Russians a little different. They have such a deep history of pain and loss. They are a strong people but have been torn apart many times. When I ride the subway and see people not smiling and when I walk to streets of a city of about 5 million and hear only a little sound, I feel the pain. This country needs God to pour out on them, they are hurting. I just would ask if you read this to just remember these people not as the villains in movies or the mafia. But a hurting people that needs the Lord.

So remember to pray for these people.