Why Russia?

As my study abroad trip to St. Petersburg approached, I started having doubts. Why Russia? I could have chosen the lazy sunshine of southern Italy or the exquisite fashion of modern France. Instead, I chose the temperamental nature of Russian people. A single walk in a Russian park gave me all the necessary reasons to justify my choice.

If I don’t get on a mini-bus (marshrutka) but decide to walk from the metro station to class at Smolny Institute, I have to pass through a green park called Tavricheskiy Sad. Despite the strong wind, my freezing fingers and running nose, this is the happiest moment in my day.

First, I see small blond babies and their young siblings play on the grass, hiding behind the wooden benches and running around the purple flowers. They are all bundled up in pink or light blue outfits like little stars with funny hats and big gloves. Their smiling blue eyes follow each movement of the pigeons and, at any given point, they are ready to reach out and touch the birds.

Then, come their babushki to fix their tilted scarves and explain again why little kids shouldn’t chase pigeons. The babushki talk a lot and use every possible diminutive form of the child’s name they can think of. Ilya becomes Ilyoshka, Alexander—Sashinka and Ivan—Vanyusha.

I continue further on into the park to see a gorgeous bride posing in her wedding gown for a professional photographer. On the other side of the unpaved path, the groom is holding hands with about 20 other wedding guests. They sing loudly, sipping champagne and getting ready for another picture together. The babushki, the children, the young and the old—they are all holding hands and singing. This is why I chose Russia.