A Russian Story

When I was in grad school I got to go to Russia in January. I could have gone in the summer but I wanted to experience Russia the way westerners imagine it. Also I planned to do a trip to Kenya that summer. This trip was through the University and dirt cheap ( and only a 4 hour plane ride).  I was there right after Leningrad turned back into St. Petersburg and it was an exciting and a desperate time in Russia. There are lots of stories to tell - like the hooker getting beaten to death in the hotel room right next to mine and the homemade vodka that I bought off the street that almost blinded me, but this is the one I’m telling now.

I took a day trip to the Summer Palace. It was beautiful! Deep snow, silent and amazing. As we got off our bus we were greeted by a military band playing softly along the side of the path to the entrance gate. Trees loaded with snow bent over the path making a dreamy walkway. Birds started flying around our heads begging for crumbs. One even landed on my arm! I had a maple roll from breakfast wrapped in my pocket, so I started throwing bits to the birds. I was in heaven! Having so much fun and feeling like a little child again, playing with the birds and laughing! After I had thrown the last bit, I turned to come back to the path and was met with the unbelieving, hungry, starving eyes of the Russians who watched an American throw precious morsels of food to the birds.

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