My dear teammate Rose has been accepted into the International Partnership for Service-Learning and will be moving to Moscow, Russia in January to start school. You can imagine her excitement, since she’s been studying the Russian language for years and is generally obsessed with all things Russian.
I want to get her a special gift for her trip to Russia. I need ideas for things I can procure in the MAD area. Rose loves books (especially Harry Potter), classical music and opera, and vegatarian food. She’s coming to visit May 30-June 6, so I want to take her out for lunch maybe in Philadelphia or Baltimore. Any suggestions for good restaurants, preferably Russian? I was thinking of getting her a CD of Russian-language opera, if such a thing exists. Any original ideas would be wonderful, as well.
A 1.75L bottle of Finlandia vodka would go a long way as far as making even more friends in Russia is concerned. Otherwise - a digital camera would be nice so she can show you just what it is that the phrase “culture shock” means when she gets back next time. Or perhaps a warm coat (as in warm enough for a snow/rain storm in the middle of october), or a really big bag of socks. As far as any digital media goes - don’t bother, its all available in Russia for $3 a disk or less due to the piracy problem (or as russians call it - the piracy solution).
One thing that I do not remeber being readily availbale in Russia that is easily found around here are those “Russian Laser Art” crystal balls with stuff engraved in them. I know there is one store in Tysons Corner that sells them. Good luck with your gift search.
If you’re going to be taking her to Philadelphia, finding a good Russian restaurant (or anything else Russian) should be easy. Northeast Philly is chock full of Russians. OTTOMH Driving along Bustleton Avenue ( a major street and easy to find) from Roosevelt mall north will bring you through the heart of the Russian community. Plenty of Russian restaurants, stores specializing in Russian films and books, Russian crafts, Russian grocers ( I can walk two blocks buy salo and select from many varieties of kefir, malt soda, Russian breads, Turkish delight, herring, blintzes etc. For some reason, they never have skim milk though).
Whenever friends are going away / vacationing to other parts of the world, I usually give them a Rough Guide CD to the place(s) they’ll be travelling to. They do a nice job and gives the visitor a taste of the music scene
How about a calling card? (But first make sure it can be used over there.) A really good digital camera might be too expensive, but if she already has one, maybe she could use a better memory card for it.
I think instead of giving her anythign Russian, which she’ll be able to pick u p first-hand, it would be better to give her American things she’s not likely to get easily in Moscow. Maybe her favorite candy, some peanut butter, and maple syrup, which seems to be a big hit overseas. Maybe things she can share with her new Russian friends.
I talked to Rose today via AIM – she didn’t know what a “dzhin” is anymore than me, she hasn’t heard about any toilet paper shortage but she’s not looking forward to using tree bark or what have you.
She has a few calling cards, but I told her I’d mail her one in February, when no doubt the others will have run out. I’m leery of food or alcohol, since I’m sure she can purchase better quality stuff there for cheaper, and because of the immigrations/long distance traveling thing. Wouldn’t do for chocolate bars to melt all over all her clothing during that 15-hour flight to Moscow. She’s from Colorado, so she has tons of cold weather clothing.
Right now I’m thinking of buying her a good blank book. She can keep a journal, or write down recipes, record useful phrases, or keep notes during class. Heinrich Schliemann used to write his diary in the language of every country he visited, and by that method learned over a dozen languages. Rose is all for the Russian restaurant idea, and DocCathode, I’ll keep your directions in mind for when we go out to eat in Philly.
C’mon folks, jeans and toilet paper and rock n’ roll records were dealt with in the 90’s…Yeah they might be more expensive, but they exist in quantity.
A small cheap digital camera is a good idea for when she wants to go to parties or other social events. Bringing a larger camera is a pain, and can get stolen. Having a credit-card sized camera that fits in a pocket is a great way to record fun events. I bet one will cost less than $50 that will serve the purpose.
A nice handmade journal could be cool, as well as a nice pen.
If she is going to have a very fast internet connection, then get her signed up on Skype.com for Skype-out and Skype-in. Buy her a nice headset and mic ($20 to $50) and she can communicate for dirt cheap with everyone back home.
Warm clothes she can buy, but they are cheaper in the USA.
Maybe a mini-iPod or other MP3 player for studying Russian? They often have recording and loop functions for vocabulary lists.
