Ikutsk Part 2
Well, my two weeks in Irkutsk are about over. Tonight I am going to attempt to cook an “American” meal for my family. I am hoping to make chili and cornbread, because its difficult to find much besides cheeseburgers and french fries that make up the “American” diet. However, finding cornmeal and kidney beans could be an issue!
On Tuesday, we visited Baikal EcoWave, a non-profit organization in Irkutsk. They are struggling to fight for the preservation and protection of this incredible world wonder. Pulp and paper factories as well as toxic waste from other plants around the lake are ruining the supply of freshwater that in the next decade will become a coveted spot! The lady in charge, Jane Sommers, is from Britain, and is absolutely brilliant! She spoke with us for a few hours about these issues and what solutions the organization is focused on achieving. After my j-term class, it was fascinating to see how a non-profit works in Russia and to be able to compare the development of non-profits in the US to those here.
Yesterday, a local professor spoke to us about the issues of migration/immigration in Russia. The most fascinating concept for me was the idea that before the collapse of the Soviet Union, migration did not exist. Now however, trans-border migration occurs, because the now separate countries are still connected to Russia. The stereotypes and myths surrounding migrant workers, especially those from China are absurd, but they are so similar to those in the United States, that one must step back and realize that the absurd notions of the US towards immigration are not unique. Yellow journalism frequently promotes fear here, just as it does in the states. The Russians are terrified that someone may sneak up in the middle of the night and steal Siberia away from them! 😉 They have feared this for hundreds of years however, and it has as of yet to happen.
I would love clarification/information on an idea I heard presented yesterday as well. Apparently there are Albanian politicians pushing for Kosovo to join Albania when the independence from Serbia is settled!! Is this true!!????!!! I couldn’t imagine, the very spot of the legendary battle that now verifies Serbia’s ethnicity and sustains Serbia’s nationalism would become part of Albania!? Once again, I’d love some information on this, is this true??
The language is becoming more and more familiar and the alphabet is slowly becoming second nature. Writing “N”‘s backwards is now entirely second nature. I was writing something in english last night and realized that I could no longer write an N and that I was assuming it was making the “E” sound that it does in Russian. Ack! I still can barely speak it though, reading is one thing, but actually forming thoughts in my head is so difficult. I have yet another test tomorrow, hopefully this will go better than the last!
I went to a night club this weekend, despite my host brothers’ protests, and it was as terrible as they promised. I now have four bruises on my ribcage, just from trying to check-in my coat and get through security (this alone took two hours). Russians also simply cannot dance, so I fit in at least in that respect, but we also spent ungodly amounts of money to get into the club and then of course for shots of vodka (this at least calmed my nerves!) Never again!
I hope all is well back in the states! I would love an update on news/politics/life there! I try and read the news when I can, but of course that isn’t exactly the best source!
Tags: Travel
kobradov