Moscow, St. Petersberg, London...you know how it goes.

The past week and a half have certainly been a whirlwind.

St. Petersberg was the first stop. They city itself, particularly at night, is amazingly beautiful. It's really a rather romantic city. But it's cold. (I know, it's Russia...right?) And it's dirty. There are apparently no emmisions standards because there is some hardcore pollution. And it's angry. Not in any particular GRRRR sort of way, just pissed off. Everyone seems mad, and it rubs off.

Everything was huge there too. From the monumental Winter Palace to the 4 minute long escalator rides down to the Metro, it seemed like everything was 10 times bigger than it needed to be.

After a visit to the Hermitage and several walking tours, we made our way to Moscow on the night train. Seven hours later, we arrived in Russia's capitol.

(I should state somewhere along here that I felt like death-on-a-stick for the better part of my time in Russia, so obviously that reality colored my impressions of the massive country.)

Moscow was much different. Very metropolitan, the city is vibrant with life. What was particularly fascinating was the extent that Russia's soviet past lingers on. From constant walking through metal detectors to a very present police and military force, it was clear that the country was a people working through a lot.

In Moscow, we toured and rode and walked and toured. The most surreal moments of the trip were spent in Red Square, where I had flashbacks to the 1989 World Book Encyclopedia set that my mother brought home from Palmetto High School when it clossed around 15 years ago. I remember reading about the USSR, and seeing pictures of St. Basil's Cathedral (with its colorful coupolas). I was there! I saw Lenin's moseleum, walked around the Kremlin and by the river.

I think Russia, while offering an amazing experience, also gave me real insight into the reality of America. We think we are better than everyone else.

I can hear the scoffs now. "No, we don't!" Yes. You do, and so do I. I walked around Russia half the time that I was there, mumbling in my mind about the lack of efficiency, commenting on the constant military presence, or making general assumptions about the culture. All of which point to one thing--the thought of superiority. And what irritated me even more about it was that I didn't want to be. I'm not supposed to do that, to think that. But I did. It was there, regardless.

Something to work on, I suppose.

Right now, I'm in London. I'll head to Dublin on Thursday, then back to London for two more days then home to Copenhagen to finish out the semester. Crazy.

much love to all at home.

blessings.
jon.