from Russia with Love

Slow Week, Snow Run Nov. 4-7

Written by

Caleb

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The week started out normally, with us trying to finish our homework the day before each class. The Russians got a holiday on the 4th; unfortunately, we didn’t. But it made for an interesting morning commute to school. The entire city was silent. At first I didn’t notice a difference (maybe that’s how much I zone out every day to and from class), but then when I could see all the way down a street without cars blocking my way, I finally saw.

Empty Streets
Empty Streets
Nice color on that Audi.
Nice color on that Audi.

I just realized I haven’t shown you our university yet. Here it is, all in one building. All of its glamor. To be exact, our classrooms are on the third floor toward the right. Only one window can be seen: on the right of the three birch trees. We use three classrooms. Two on this side of the building, one on the rear.

Independent University of Moscow
Independent University of Moscow

The workload steadily increases and we try to deal with it:

Dian takes a powernap. One might assume with all these sleeping students that I might be some kind of sleep stalker. On the contrary, I just coincidentally walk in on people when they're passed out, and then go back to grab my camera.
Dian takes a powernap. One might assume with all these sleeping students that I might be some kind of sleep stalker. On the contrary, I just coincidentally walk in on people when they’re passed out, and then go back to grab my camera.

On Friday, right after lunch, I headed over to the Higher School of Econ to practice piano like I usually do. Then I was to head back to the IUM to have consultation with my algebra professor (office hours). I stepped outside and Moscow was covered in 4 inches of snow. And it was dumping more. Amazing. I put my earphones in and walked to IUM. Here are some photos of us walking home after our consultation through Little Arbat and to the Metro.

The corner that takes us to the IUM.
The corner that takes us to the IUM.
This girl kept jumping to the fresh snow to make snow angels.
This girl kept jumping to the fresh snow to make snow angels.

Luckily, the snow stayed until after Saturday morning so I was able to go on a real snow run. I brought my camera this time and took some shots of my run to share. Great scenery on my long Saturday runs.

The train tracks near the park. About 1/3 into my run.
The train tracks near the park. About 1/3 into my run.
Turning around back towards the way I came down. I came from the right in this photo and wanted to go left.
Turning around back towards the way I came down. I came from the right in this photo and wanted to go left.
One of my interval sections. I go hard for about a minute along this section, which gets me about to the end.
One of my interval sections. I go hard for about a minute along this section, which gets me about to the end.
After looping around an apartment complex, I get to run through a short forest area along this path.
After looping around an apartment complex, I get to run through a short forest area along this path.
I stopped to look around and saw this firepit off the path a bit. I wonder if it has been used recently.
I stopped to look around and saw this firepit off the path a bit. I wonder if it has been used recently.
Gotta cross the street again on my way back. It's just a 2 lane road though so it's not bad.
Gotta cross the street again on my way back. It’s just a 2 lane road though so it’s not bad.
I'm back at the monument dedicated to memorialize the Napoleonic War in Russia. I took photos of this my first week here. Looks a bit different now—the grass at least.
I’m back at the monument dedicated to memorialize the Napoleonic War in Russia. I took photos of this my first week here. Looks a bit different now—the grass at least.
Toward my right there was a cool looking building under construction.
Toward my right there was a cool looking building under construction.
My last corner (a left) before a short straightaway and I'm home. But check out the fiberglass walls on the right. They silence the freeway on the other side pretty well. To the left of the circular kiosk-like building the downward stairs lead to crossing the freeway, underneath.
My last corner (a left) before a short straightaway and I’m home. But check out the fiberglass walls on the right. They silence the freeway on the other side pretty well. To the left of the circular kiosk-like building the downward stairs lead to crossing the freeway, underneath.

The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful as we stayed indoors and did homework. So no more for now.

Comments

2 responses to “Slow Week, Snow Run Nov. 4-7”

  1. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Caleb,
    I love your photos sooooo much. I love their wooden churches, their cathedrals and Vladimir and Suzdal. I’ve always wanted to see St. Basil’s and the Hermitage, but I’d kill to see that ancient little town, “The Museum of Wooden Architecture”. Seriously! But I pity you the cold and your pain filled, purple hands.

  2. LebCa Avatar
    LebCa

    Yeah the wooden village was legit. My hands are getting used to the weather now. I’m also getting used to the cold. It doesn’t seem as cold as often. But there are some days when I really have to convince myself to go outside for a run.

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