6/12. RUSSIA DAY!!!!!

RUSSIA DAY!!!!! This date marks the anniversary of Russia’s declaration of sovereignty in 1990, though it wasn’t made an official holiday until 1994! Hooray!

I slept in until 8:30 and had breakfast with Irina. She then informed me that her birthday was Saturday (46) but that she didn’t like getting older. I told her not to worry about a thing, and that we would have a lovely day of celebration. The poor lady is so sick right now, coughing up a storm and napping all day. Not an awesome way to spend the anniversary of your birth. I knew I wanted to get out of the house, and decided that embarking on a journey to get Irina a present would be the goal. I left around 1 and went straight to Ligovskiy Prospekt. This prospect intersects with Nevskiy Prospekt, which is more of less the most direct street to Vasilevskiy Island, where my school is located.

As I walked through my neighborhood to get to Ligovskiy Prospekt, I felt really uncomfortable. Walking around on the weekend is so bazaar because there are so few people out. I saw a few drunken characters wondering around and a handful of men looking too shady to make eye contact with. I walked faster than I normally do, trying to get to a main street with more people. I walked down Ligovskiy and looked at storefronts, trying to find one that inspired me to browse for a present in. There were a couple clothing stores I liked, and after getting onto Nevskiy Prospekt, I found a chain of little jewelry boutiques that were reasonable. Nothing that really shouted “IRINA” at me though. I thought about getting her flowers or a plant but quickly remembered that the house had a ton of plants from the datcha. Irina also hates watering plants I found out a few days earlier. I ended up going into a pastry shop and buying a bunch of little specialty desserts. I ordered correctly (they didn’t obnoxiously roll their eyes at me... yesss!) and walked back home, happy with my little accomplishment. It was 4 by the time I came home and Irina was asleep. I showered and got into comfy clothes.

Irina and I talked about Russia Day over dinner, and the how we’re both not fans of the huge crowds that were out today. We talked about birthdays and who she thought would be coming over for her birthday dinner (it’s just going to be me, her, and he man friend). We shared 2 of the little desserts and she told me I went to a good shop. There were a few around that weren’t as tasty, but I picked a good one. I’m not as concerned with the butter or milk or eggs used in desserts here. I don’t overindulge, but when Irina and I have lovely conversation over little sweets, the fact that its not vegan seems unimportant.

I ended up not going out to the concert. When I was walking home at 3, I could barely walk on the sidewalks they were so crowded. My evening was just as sweet, if not better, so I’m not disappointed J