There is this Russian movie made back in mid 70s, which by the way I don't think I have ever seen, that is called "Свой среди чужих, чужой среди своих". The Russian title approximately translates to "A Friend Among Strangers, A Stranger Among Friends", or "At Home Among Strangers, Stranger At Home." I thought that was an appropriate headline for this post.During my previous visits to Moscow I have heavily relied on my mother's and my aunt's knowledge of the city. This was the first time I was hanging out in the city center without detailed directions from anyone on how to get to where I want to go. I did not realize how badly I know my way around the city. In other words, I do not know my way around the city.
Sadly I felt like I was a foreigner just like my husband and my friends. The only difference was that I could speak the language. Otherwise, I had to pour over maps, spend long time reading signs, ask questions on the street. I did not know how to go about doing some basic things, such as getting on a bus, for example. I thought that I would feel like a local just a few days after our arrival, but I did not.
Moscow is rapidly changing and losing its old ways, while I am rapidly getting older and forgetting the old ways.
aw this post sounds sad. You're not getting older. We're getting wiser!
ReplyDeleteSuch is life, I guess. I'm astonished at how much the D.C. area has changed since I was growing up here--and I've only been gone about ten years. Sadly, not all the changes are for the better. But, I'm adjusting.
ReplyDeleteI guess you have to look for what positives there are in the changes you see--both in Moscow and in you :)