I studied abroad in Krasnodar, Russia for a semester as an undergraduate and returned to the родина (motherland) to teach EFL for a year in Vladimir at the American Home. Since then, I’ve been back to lead a group of high school students on a language/culture program and to attend a friend’s wedding. I’ve spent time in Saint Petersburg and Moscow (and have a definite favorite 
) and speak the language well enough to get along on a day-to-day basis.
So after enduring jokes about my communist sympathies and vodka tolerance for years (and having failed to persuade any friends to join me on a trip yet), I thought I’d do my part to spread the word about what Russian life is like today. (Hint: They’re not communist anymore. The vodka part might still apply.)
This is not a blog about Russian politics or history, though the two will invariably make appearances in some of the things I cover. My goal is to show today’s Russia & Russians (admittedly from my perspective as an American) to people who might otherwise never visit the country or be able to interact with its culture.
That said, добро пожаловать (da-bro pazhalovat; welcome) to I Dream of Blini!
