breaking the rules...

I think there's something about breaking the rules... or bending them... that seems exciting. But really isn't as exciting as it seems.
Currently, I'm breaking the rules... by writing on this blog! Yup. That's right. The country that I'm in as I renew my visa has had this blogging site blocked- I was told probably because of political fiasco type things- but I'm subverting this rule by using a VPN rerouter thing.
Makes me feel kinda like a computer geek and a criminal all in one simple rebellion.
Ha!
Who am I kidding?!
I'm not a rebel. I like to fit in. So I generally go to great lengths to do so.

Maybe that's why I can relax a bit more in this city of 16 million or so... I'm not quite so odd here. I'm not the only foreigner. I'm not the only person that has a hard time with language. I'm not the only person struggling to find my way around the thirty different kinds of transportation.
I have a hard enough time being me sometimes, so it's kinda nice to not have the worry of fiting in right now.

Instead... I get to find friends who also speak English. I get to go to a park and play frisbee. I get to walk along Isteklal and get absolutely squelching, soaking wet from driving rain. I get to download new music and then ride miles of metro-bus listening to it. I get to enjoy the shock on Starbucks baristas faces across this city as I ask for a grande chai latte with two shots of espresso (dirty chai shout-out!! this city WILL succumb to their yummyness!!)I also get to enjoy COLOR- flowers on trees, tulips bursting out of flower beds in medians, weeds in sidewalks, non-cement block buildings, multi-hued headscarves, and a sky that alternates moodily between brilliant blue and muted grey.

ran across some old thoughts...

I'd made up my mind that these people are unfriendly and hardened by their circumstances. Especially outside and in public places. Perhaps they softened up in their homes, but as I was not often invited to those places of privilege I could not truly gauge for myself. But this month- and especially this week- I've been pleasantly surprised.
For example...
Today I sneezed on the bus... My sneezes have never been acknowledged here...today was almost not an exception. A beautiful girl in a red coat turned around from the pole she was holding on to, made eye contact (!), and wished me "Будь здорова!" (good health to you!) That's never happened before... :D
Yesterday I was gingerly making my way on a slushy narrow pathway and approaching a little babushka who was also laboriously making her way through. After a little bit, just as I was coming up behind her, she stopped at a bend in the path, and did a most astonishing thing. She turned around, and pleasantly said, "young lady. You go ahead. I'm an old, slow lady and you're young and faster. Go on!" What was so nice was not that I was glad not to be slowed down by her careful and tentative steps over slush and ice... But the nice tone of voice and kind look on her face as she verbalized her offer!!
I have also been given the opportunity to quickly share what I think is the most important thing in the world. Three times in one week! It's a wonderful thing!!