Each month, I select three daily goals that I aim to hit each day (thanks to my favorite Nomatic planner). Over the past 12 months, one of those daily goals has been “Russia” and all the related work involved. Between job searching, visa applications, and language acquisition, I’ve checked the “Russia” box consistently for a year.
We’re here now. The visa work is done, I passed the migration test, and I know enough of the language to survive and buy coffee.
Entering this autumnal season forced me to reflect more on my daily goals for the month. Bible reading and working out still made the list but I decided to swap out “Russia” with a more reflective ritual that I’d like to incorporate into my daily life in the long-term: Going on walks.
This is a bit of a cop-out goal because we have no car here so I have to walk everywhere but there are still days when I don’t have any real need to leave the apartment. Luke and I love walking together, but I haven’t done a lot of solo adventures so I was excited about this opportunity to slow down every day, put my phone away, and simply exist for a bit while strolling around. Here’s a little taste of Saint Petersburg in the fall.
My background beat is the steady beep of the pedestrian crossing lights, mixed with rustling wind in the rows of trees that line each street and the little ones screaming in delight when their babuska shakes a leaf off the tree for them.
I see schoolchildren on scooters in their uniforms and moms holding onto little hands while balancing bulging bags of groceries. The golden orb of an Orthodox church breaks the backdrop of shades of white clouds.
When the wind blows my scarf from my head to my shoulders, my velcro hair rushes to cover my ears from the crisp air. Leaves fly across the path, much to the frustration of a worker raking, although you wouldn’t know it by her face.
I pass cafe after cafe and mentally gamble with myself about whether I’ll go in and try to order something complicated. I usually chicken out and find a bench for reading since that doesn’t require me to speak Russian.
Now that temperatures are flirting with the freezing line, my walks have a different flavour and feel. Tune in next time for “Saint Petersburg in the Not Quite Winter but It Sure Feels Like It”
Wonderful post We will hopefully come to visit We will be in the Czech Republic another full year Luke & his siblings must have the wandering gene from me!!! Keep in touch!
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the glimpse of Russia in autumn! Lovely words and beautiful pictures!
LikeLike
Thanks Aunt Carol! We’d love to see you — either here or in Czech! I think they must have inherited their wanderlust from you. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful 🍁❤️🍂
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I now know a little of what you are sharing. What a wonderful place and what wonderful memories for us- one of the best was seeing you guys. I loved the cooler days and seeing so many trees!!!
Looking forward to hearing how winter will be for you.
LikeLike
Seeing you has been one of our highlights so far too!! It’s quite the adventure to be here, but there’s nothing like spending time with good friends.
LikeLike
How is it there now?
LikeLike
It’s much colder now!
LikeLike
yes – but on the plus side the number of visitors goes down?
LikeLike
I’ll probably never get there so Thanks for a little glimpse of Russia. Love you two.
Nunna
LikeLike