Stereotypes

I have spent a full week of my Russian trip that was loaded with lots of fun, adventure, challenges and painful goodbyes. Like any foreigner in a new city, before my arrival I got lots of advises about living there intelligently, learnt about certain differences in our culture and I am indebted to the people who gave me the advises.

But having spent a week in Russia, in the picturesque Krasnodar Krai certain stereotypes are already removed from my mind about Russia and I hope the same goes from their side as well. 

A few stereotypes that were removed from my mind are: Russian pipelines have vodka inside them and one would get gallons of vodka from kitchen tanks. Another stereotype that was removed is that Russian streets have bears running around on them. Everyone whom I encountered till now were very friendly to me so the stereotype that Russians lack international intelligence and cultural amalgamation got removed. 

The stereotypes that India is a country where cows are found roaming around on main streets in all cities, that all Indians don't eat beef, Indians cannot drink much alcohol, all Indians are vegetarians were all removed from the minds of the stereotypical people of Russia. Of course, I met awesome friendly and cool people from Russia who are going to be my friends for life who have helped me a lot in this foreign country. 

LIVING WITH IRON MAN AND DMITRI(MIRON) IN KRASNODAR

At first I had no clue how it would be like to live with complete strangers in an apartment in a foreign city, but I am so very thankful to Lena, team leader of the Shining Russia project for selecting Val and Dmitri as my host. They are the coolest people I have met till date in Russia. I call Val Iron Man as he is a fan of every possible kind of Comic and he loves Iron Man. I should also mention that he looks strong like Iron Man also. They have welcomed me with wonderful Russian food like Dumplings, Chicken and Potato baked in Cheese and lots more.
The best part I like living with them is that they never get tired of playing FIFA in Xbox. They are crazy about FIFA. I initially lost all matches by 6, 7 goals but nowadays after practicing I loose only by 1 or 2 goals :D
Vodka shots, Beer, Hookah, you name it, they have it. The walls are decorated with Captain America and Batman posters. It is extremely cool to live with these guys here.
P.S: I have Panda bedsheets :P

FAREWELL TO INDIA FOR 7 WEEKS: PRIVET RUSSIA

It's my first foreign trip alone for such a long time without family and nonetheless I miss them. Having said that, people here in the Krasnodar district are awesome, they are extremely friendly and helpful.
My flight to Moscow got delayed by an hour and a half and as I result I got to spend a few extra precious hours in New Delhi.
Initially I had lots of queries and thoughts about the foreign nation, about their food, about the customs check at the airports and all. I was answering them one by one again and again till I boarded the Aeroflot Airlines and dozed off.
So I had mixed emotions about my solo foreign internship, ranging from eagerness and curiosity to a sweet adrenaline rush for the exciting times ahead.