Since I pretty much went off on all the bad things that happened to me. Those shouldn't be what I remember of my time in Russia. There are good things that happened that came in the form of people and the places I've been to.
First of all the people. I've met a mix of both expats and locals, even if the locals come from the far east of the country and moved to the western parts. Heck I've met Russian-born Canadians too. I can pretty much divide the Krasnodar people into two groups: My friendly co-workers and the wild bunch. Yekaterinburg I pretty much didn't venture out to make connections. There was one guy I knew from the internet that took me places outside the city. Had I stayed longer we might have met up some more. There was also my roommate/co-worker at the Yekaterinburg school who was awesome (in the sense that both of us pretty much keep to ourselves. It was cool said roommate was into Turkic stuff).
My co-workers were a friendly bunch, however it was sad when two of them had to leave when I just started working there. On the plus side they run their own school now so no annoying directors (that's their role now :p). One of them stayed on but at the same time wanted to leave because of the bad environment. Those three were supportive during my stay at the school in Krasnodar and when I was let go from it. They helped in making sure I wasn't let go early when I hardly started and helped out in making sure I didn't leave too early so if and when I found a new job I had a place to stay (pay a monthly rent instead of a daily rent). I should also mention the 4th co-worker. I ended up replacing said co-worker but this one showed me around the city and knows how to get to places (even if giving directions is not her forte). All and all they knew when to call bullshit on something (especially of what went on at the administrative level). A lot of it happened, trust me. The knew the teaching method professed by the school wasn't ideal, they knew the set-up of the classrooms weren't ideal, and they knew what orders that came from the top were not really justified. I miss hanging out with them.
Other people I miss hanging out with are people form one of the largest (maybe only) expat/conversation club in the city. I saw them biweekly at the club (because it met every two weeks) but there was the random occasion in which I'd join up with them when it wasn't the club weekend. It was eventually later during my stay/close to my leaving that I'd participate in post convo club activities. Through them I rediscovered my love for karaoke. I'll say this: I am not a world class singer, let alone one for karaoke. But it's something I enjoy. I don't care if I sing bad as long as I have fun doing it. These people who came from various parts of Russia and other countries such as the UK, Ireland and Australia. (There were also people from Nigeria and Brazil I believe, and at least one person from Taiwan showed up and the club was run by an American). I brought my set of Cards Against Humanity with me to Russia and I'd play the game with them at times. It did attract large crowds to the game but irritated this one guy who acted a bit like a dad towards the teenage (17-19 y.o.) attendees. He was most likely a dad though if he didn't want people to play, joke or not. If not for the job loss and the move to Yekaterinburg in hopes of keeping the job alive, I'd do karaoke nights more often and maybe explore more Russia with them. Maybe we should gather one evening and play Cards Against Humanity online?
And then onwards to Yekaterinburg. While my time was short the staff there was one of the friendliest I've worked with. Everyone was quite supportive, even if it takes a million kicks to my head to go with their advice for certain things (mainly from one of them I'd say). Compared to the school in Krasnodar the private language school itself was more organized and had better resources (except for Monopoly. Had I survived the trial period for that school and got a renewal contract, I'd bring my version of the game with me. Had things not go sour in Krasnodar I'd bring it as well). No one was required to dress like they're leading a board meeting and the administrators and senior teachers made sure people had something to do. Well there was still the air of "If you're not needed around you don't have to be around" but they know how to take care of their employees. Can't really say much more since I was only there for a few weeks.
There were also a couple of other people worth mentioning. One was my roommate and co-worker. I'm not one to approach people directly to get to know people (as I mainly go to someone because I need something from them) but I think a common thing we had was we were both learning Turkish (not at the same time and I need to brush up on my beginner stuff) but that's one thing we had in common at least. Said roommate has been to Azerbaijan, I almost went there (and the roommate knew it wasn't easy to get in there). Second was a guy I knew from an internet penpal site. The guy used to be a taxi driver and apparently knew where I lived and how to get there from a picture I posted. I also contacted this same guy and was able to get to the Europe and Asia border as well as the monumental resting place of the Romanovs. The meet was a bit awkward as while in my mind I had hope for some conversation, I couldn't bring myself to ask question and stuff.
So far that what I can remember. If I had miss any reference or mention to you, I miss you guys too.
What's for me in the future? One of things I'm looking to get is a driver's license. If there is a situation in which I can't travel there, but you guys come to visit, I'll be able to drive you to places. If I do make my way back there one day, I'll have some experience driving a car. If I can't repay the kindness by returning the favour there, maybe I can pay it forward and help others here. Or maybe I can send you guys some maple candies (provided postal workers are cooperating). Here's hoping to meet you in the future again some time.
Thus this blog has come to an end. Maybe I'll start a new project some day.
First of all the people. I've met a mix of both expats and locals, even if the locals come from the far east of the country and moved to the western parts. Heck I've met Russian-born Canadians too. I can pretty much divide the Krasnodar people into two groups: My friendly co-workers and the wild bunch. Yekaterinburg I pretty much didn't venture out to make connections. There was one guy I knew from the internet that took me places outside the city. Had I stayed longer we might have met up some more. There was also my roommate/co-worker at the Yekaterinburg school who was awesome (in the sense that both of us pretty much keep to ourselves. It was cool said roommate was into Turkic stuff).
My co-workers were a friendly bunch, however it was sad when two of them had to leave when I just started working there. On the plus side they run their own school now so no annoying directors (that's their role now :p). One of them stayed on but at the same time wanted to leave because of the bad environment. Those three were supportive during my stay at the school in Krasnodar and when I was let go from it. They helped in making sure I wasn't let go early when I hardly started and helped out in making sure I didn't leave too early so if and when I found a new job I had a place to stay (pay a monthly rent instead of a daily rent). I should also mention the 4th co-worker. I ended up replacing said co-worker but this one showed me around the city and knows how to get to places (even if giving directions is not her forte). All and all they knew when to call bullshit on something (especially of what went on at the administrative level). A lot of it happened, trust me. The knew the teaching method professed by the school wasn't ideal, they knew the set-up of the classrooms weren't ideal, and they knew what orders that came from the top were not really justified. I miss hanging out with them.
Other people I miss hanging out with are people form one of the largest (maybe only) expat/conversation club in the city. I saw them biweekly at the club (because it met every two weeks) but there was the random occasion in which I'd join up with them when it wasn't the club weekend. It was eventually later during my stay/close to my leaving that I'd participate in post convo club activities. Through them I rediscovered my love for karaoke. I'll say this: I am not a world class singer, let alone one for karaoke. But it's something I enjoy. I don't care if I sing bad as long as I have fun doing it. These people who came from various parts of Russia and other countries such as the UK, Ireland and Australia. (There were also people from Nigeria and Brazil I believe, and at least one person from Taiwan showed up and the club was run by an American). I brought my set of Cards Against Humanity with me to Russia and I'd play the game with them at times. It did attract large crowds to the game but irritated this one guy who acted a bit like a dad towards the teenage (17-19 y.o.) attendees. He was most likely a dad though if he didn't want people to play, joke or not. If not for the job loss and the move to Yekaterinburg in hopes of keeping the job alive, I'd do karaoke nights more often and maybe explore more Russia with them. Maybe we should gather one evening and play Cards Against Humanity online?
And then onwards to Yekaterinburg. While my time was short the staff there was one of the friendliest I've worked with. Everyone was quite supportive, even if it takes a million kicks to my head to go with their advice for certain things (mainly from one of them I'd say). Compared to the school in Krasnodar the private language school itself was more organized and had better resources (except for Monopoly. Had I survived the trial period for that school and got a renewal contract, I'd bring my version of the game with me. Had things not go sour in Krasnodar I'd bring it as well). No one was required to dress like they're leading a board meeting and the administrators and senior teachers made sure people had something to do. Well there was still the air of "If you're not needed around you don't have to be around" but they know how to take care of their employees. Can't really say much more since I was only there for a few weeks.
There were also a couple of other people worth mentioning. One was my roommate and co-worker. I'm not one to approach people directly to get to know people (as I mainly go to someone because I need something from them) but I think a common thing we had was we were both learning Turkish (not at the same time and I need to brush up on my beginner stuff) but that's one thing we had in common at least. Said roommate has been to Azerbaijan, I almost went there (and the roommate knew it wasn't easy to get in there). Second was a guy I knew from an internet penpal site. The guy used to be a taxi driver and apparently knew where I lived and how to get there from a picture I posted. I also contacted this same guy and was able to get to the Europe and Asia border as well as the monumental resting place of the Romanovs. The meet was a bit awkward as while in my mind I had hope for some conversation, I couldn't bring myself to ask question and stuff.
So far that what I can remember. If I had miss any reference or mention to you, I miss you guys too.
What's for me in the future? One of things I'm looking to get is a driver's license. If there is a situation in which I can't travel there, but you guys come to visit, I'll be able to drive you to places. If I do make my way back there one day, I'll have some experience driving a car. If I can't repay the kindness by returning the favour there, maybe I can pay it forward and help others here. Or maybe I can send you guys some maple candies (provided postal workers are cooperating). Here's hoping to meet you in the future again some time.
Thus this blog has come to an end. Maybe I'll start a new project some day.
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