Fourth of July

Okay, so my father thinks he is very clever with his trick question, "is there a fourth of July in Russia?" Well of course there is! What else would come between the 3rd and the 5th? Now, it's not a holiday, like it is in America. But I am doing my studies through the American Home in Vladimir, so we are having a big picnic tonight. I am curious to see what kind of food the Russians prepare for an American party. I think I saw the makings of a giant salad yesterday. Now the question is, will they do the Russian thing and douse it in mayonnaise?

Okay, it is the Fourth of July and I am a little homesick. Here are some things that I miss about America:
- Large pots of good coffee, served with milk. The chai (tea) here is great, but it's not the same.
- American manners. The Russian mannerisms are different and I know that, so I am not offended, but I still miss American manners. For instance, Russians do not smile or say hello unless they know the person. In fact, if you smile at a stranger, he or she is likely to think that you have a bad intent. Also, Russians do not make eye contact. I stood right next to one of the American home teachers on the bus today. She is a lovely Russian woman and we have had many conversations. Yet she did not notice me at all because she stared straight ahead out the window the whole time. And when it was time to get off the bus, nobody said, "excuse me." They just shoved.
- American drivers. I know, this sounds weird. You know how in America some people have bumper stickers that say, "I break for dogs," or "I break for coffee"? Well, in Russia they should all have bumper stickers that say "I break for nothing." You must be very careful crossing the street. Every year many drivers and pedestrians are killed in accidents. Russians drive fast and consider the traffic laws mere suggestions. Add to that that most of them are driving cars that are about 20 years old, and it's a dangerous situation.
- American air. Every day when I wake up I am sure that I am getting sick because my throat and eyes hurt. But I am not sick - the poor air quality is causing these problems. The cities are crowded, the cars are old, and the environmental laws are not as strict. My delicate American body cannot take it!

Okay, so this seemed like a long list of complaints, right? Well, I'm happy overall. These are minor things. Every day here is a new adventure, and I am excited about that. But I still feel that, "there is no place like home."